TAXPAYERS' money will not have to be used to cover a £327m shortfall in funding for improvements to a tube line, it has been ruled.

Private consortium Tube Lines sought cash from London Underground (LU) to cover costs incurred from delays to the upgrades of the Jubilee line.

But an independent QC ruled that LU is not responsible for the costs, said Transport for London (TfL).

LU managing director Richard Parry said: "We welcome this ruling by the independent adjudicator, which makes it clear that Tube Lines is responsible, in full, for the costs it has incurred as a result of delays to the upgrade of the Jubilee and Northern lines.

"Also, that none of the allegations about LU bearing any blame for the cost increases have any foundation.

"This ruling proves that, contrary to Tube Lines' claims, London Underground is a capable, disciplined and responsible commercial partner.

"Tube Lines need to stop making further spurious claims for additional fare payers' and taxpayers' money, given the handsome returns already being earned by shareholders Bechtel and Ferrovial, and get on with the job in hand.

"That is to complete the delayed upgrade of the Jubilee line as soon as possible, learn lessons to minimise any further disruptive suspensions, line closures and delay on the upgrade of the Northern line, and to deliver their future works at the value for money price determined by the public private partnership arbiter."

Work on the Jubilee line was due to be completed in December, but is likely to be about 10 months late.

Tube Lines has a 30-year agreement to maintain the Jubilee, Northern and Picadilly lines.

A spokesman for Tube Lines has been reported as saying the company will review the QC's decision before deciding whether to appeal.

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