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Police radio network finally works on Tube
Martin Bentham, Home Affairs Editor07.10.08
A new radio system which allows police and the other emergency services to communicate underground is now working across the entire Tube network, the Standard can reveal.
The £140 million Airwave system has become fully operational after the technology which allows it to function was switched on at the last two stations that had still to be connected: Bank and Leicester Square.
The breakthrough means that one of the key problems faced by emergency staff during the 7/7 London bombings - the inability of police and ambulance workers to communicate properly while at the bomb sites - has now been solved.
A formal announcement is due to be made shortly at an official launch, which is expected to be attended by Mayor Boris Johnson, Home Office ministers and senior police.
Officials said the installation of the system was a vital step in improving the safety of Londoners.
"It is now working everywhere and working extremely well and that is very good news for London," said one source. "The reception is excellent and it means that the problems that we faced before in communicating underground should be behind us."
The completion of London's Airwave system underground comes nine years after the technology, which is being used by police forces across the country, was first commissioned to provide officers with a clearer method of digital vocal communication and the means to transfer data and encrypted information.
A key requirement in the capital was that the system worked underground - as highlighted after the King's Cross fire of 1987 and the 7 July attacks in 2005.
Reports produced for the London Assembly and the Home Office following the 7/7 bombings raised strong concerns about the absence of full underground radio coverage and listed it as a priority reform necessary to protect Londoners during any future attack. Despite this, a series of delays had blighted the introduction of the system, which was originally scheduled to be completed by March 2006.
Critics also expressed concern that it might not provide sufficiently reliable radio coverage in key areas, including parts of the Tube, moving vehicles and some buildings.
Supporters insist, however, that the system - whose introduction has been overseen by the Government's National Policing Improvement Agency - is operating successfully and provides officers with a much clearer and more reliable method of communication than their previous police radios.
Reader views (4)
Do you really think Boris was responsible for bringing this in? So you're one of the dumbos that voted for him! He also seemed to be taking the glory of unveiling the new tube trains last week, which probably wouldn't have happened if it werent for Ken. All Boris has done so far is launch a competition to bring back the routemaster, he's obviously completely out of touch with the real needs of TFL.
- Dylan, London
The delay has nothing to do with Ken, it is down to the Airwave system. The Police use it now - just ask how well it coped above ground at this years Notting Hill Carnival!!
- Anos, London
I remember when Red Ken said this would not work! Why is Nu Labor so much against improvement for Londoners?!??
- Georgie, Islington, London
Once again, like so many other things which laid dormant while Livingstone spent all his time trying and failing to create his own version of a socialist state in London, it has taken Boris to come along and complete it. I wonder how many other things are out there which we have paid for but which Livingstone failed to put into production…
- St, London
