Tube graffiti 'like Gotham City' says MP

Dr. Neil Hudson, Conservative MP for Epping Forest, likened the graffiti on the Central Line to the fictional Gotham City, where crime is rampant. He expressed concerns that increasing anti-social behavior makes commuters feel unsafe. Transport for London (TfL) reported that it cleans over 2,000 graffiti tags weekly but struggles to remove trains from service during peak hours due to limited resources. Hudson criticized the mayor’s expenditure of over £6 million on rebranding while commuters demand clean, safe, and on-time trains.

TfL acknowledged that declining train availability complicates immediate responses to vandalism. The agency has launched an accelerated cleaning program to tackle the graffiti issue. Hudson called for increased deterrents, such as CCTV and signage, to address the problem effectively. He argued that prioritizing commuter safety and cleanliness is essential for maintaining public trust in London's transport system.