Tube ticket offices to stay open

Plans to close dozens of London Underground ticket offices have been reversed by London mayor Boris Johnson.

Passenger groups and trade unions had mounted campaigns against the proposals, which had been unveiled by the former mayor Ken Livingstone.

They argued that having staff at ticket offices increased security within the stations, especially in the evenings.

A mayor's spokesman confirmed that the 40 offices will remain open and that Mr Johnson had made the issue a priority.

The move was welcomed by Gerry Doherty, leader of the Transport Salaried Staffs Association, who described it as a "victory for common sense".