Boris’ booze ban is backed

11:21am Thursday 15th May 2008

THE Mayor of London's move to ban booze on the capital's trains and buses has been welcomed by an Enfield councillor.

But he said more police will be needed to make it work.

In his first big policy decision since sweeping to power on May 2, new Mayor Boris Johnson has decided to ban the consumption of alcohol on London transport from June 1 this year.

And Cllr Terry Neville, Enfi-eld Council's cabinet member for environment, said: "I think banning alcohol on the Tubes and buses is an excellent idea.

"Enfield was one of the first boroughs in London to introduce no public drinking zones and our tough but fair line on licensing has helped reduce drink-fuelled anti-social behaviour in the borough.

"But it is absolutely essential to have effective enforcement to make it work. There needs to be more police travelling on the Tubes and buses to ensure the ban is properly enforced. "

Cllr Neville said the Mayor should slash the bloated' budget of Transport for London (TfL) to help pay for the extra police.

He said: "The vast bureaucracy that is TfL has meant its budget has been bloated to a huge extent.

"For instance we have TfL officers monitoring projects in our borough which can easily be done by our own staff.

"This is an example of the unnecessary micro management and interference in London borough councils that TfL indulges in.

"The money saved by slashing the wasteful TfL bureaucracy can pay for extra police on our transport network which help make travelling in London and a more pleasant experience."

Although widely welcomed, the policing capabilities of Mr Johnson's banning of booze on London transport has been questioned by opposition parties.