Call to bring back blue light status for engineers

Blue light status was given to ERU vehicles with the aim of improving passenger safety

The decision to stop vehicles being used by specialist engineers from having blue lights to get to emergency situations should be reversed, the London Assembly Transport Committee has said.

The use of Transport for London's (TfL) Emergency Response Unit (ERU) vehicles using flashing lights in an emergency situation was a key recommendation made to improve passenger safety following the 7/7 London bombings.

Last year, TfL and British Transport Police (BTP) dropped the policy after a review cited collision concerns.

Chair of the Transport Committee, Elly Baker, said the ERU vehicles, which were driven by a BTP officer, needed the sirens for the "safety and resilience" of the transport network.

Transport for London's Emergency Response Vehicles used blue lights between 2012 and 2024

The blue light status had been introduced in 2012 following the London Assembly Transport Committee's report into the 7/7 bombings.

In its report, it recognised that the ERU played a "crucial role in the emergency response" to the 7/7 bombings and were "experts in dealing with emergencies on and around trains".

However a TfL document, seen by BBC London, said the decision to remove the policy was made to minimise "collision risk".

"BTP assessment confirmed incidents where our Emergency Response Units were deployed did not meet national guidelines on grade I dispatch."

In a statement, BTP's Assistant Chief Constable Sean O'Callaghan said: "In preparation for the London Olympics in 2012, BTP used converted specialist vehicles for the same purpose of getting TfL engineers to emergency incidents.

"As a result of a review in line with the NPCC (National Police Chiefs' Council), who consider the requirements for when blue lights can be used on police vehicles, the service was reconsidered by both partners."

'Left in the dark'

Commenting on their bid to reverse the decision, Ms Baker, said: "TfL's ERU has an important role in London's emergency preparedness, and its vehicles need blue light status to support the safety and resilience of our transport network.

"Londoners have been left in the dark about why this decision was taken and what evidence there is to support it.

"The Committee wants this decision reversed, and urges those behind it to provide the evidence that led to them revoking a vital part of the ERU's emergency response capability."