The recently announced takeover by TfL of Tube contractor Tube Lines should be a warning of the perils of playing politics with London’s transport system.

Tube Lines was part of the Public Private Partnership, imposed by Gordon Brown. The danger now is that the focus on impending cuts could cause real problems for our transport system.

First, rail commuters could face huge fare increases. Train operators are presently allowed to increase fares annually by inflation plus one per cent; Transport Secretary Philip Hammond has now refused to rule out scrapping the formula.

Meanwhile the schedule for Tube upgrades remains uncertain, with the programme for upgrading the Jubilee and Piccadilly lines having slipped badly already.

Then there is the chaos caused by roadworks. Central London faces roadworks this summer on an unprecedented scale. The Mayor protests that he cannot stop roadworks organised by the boroughs, and has called for powers to charge utility companies “lane rental”. The Tories promised such powers during the election campaign. But it has emerged that it will not be until late 2011 at the earliest before City Hall gets them. Increased fines for over-runs are coming sooner than that. But the Mayor and ministers misunderstand that we need far more urgent action to tackle the gridlock on the capital’s streets.