New Tube trains have been met with approval by MP Jon Cruddas after he had initially voiced concerns over passenger safety.
The Dagenham and Rainham MP took a close inspection of the new trains due to appear on the District and Hammersmith and City lines, like those already on the Overground.
He was shown around the trains, which have “walk-through” carriages, with transport officers on Friday.
Despite initially backing residents’ fears that the open carriage design might increase the risk of passenger crime on journeys between distant stops such as Dagenham East and Elm Park, Mr Cruddas said he felt “reassured” over the security measures in place.
“After seeing the new trains and comparing them with the old stock, I now feel confident that they are a vast improvement in many respects,” he said.
Unlike current trains, where CCTV is on a 72-hour recording loop and only records the last three days, the newer model will have rolling CCTV which records onto a hard drive, added Mr Cruddas.
“The CCTV and passenger alarm systems have been upgraded and I feel that people travelling between Dagenham East and Elm Park will be at less risk than they have been in the past.”
The new trains will eventually replace all 53 vehicles on the Hammersmith and City line by the end of 2014, and all 80 trains on the District line by the end of 2016.
Responding to complaints over weekend disruptions on the District line that has blighted many passengers’ journeys, Mr Cruddas said they were the result of the new trains extra carriage length, meaning signalling placements on platforms are still being adjusted,
A complete upgrade of signalling systems is expected to be fully complete by 2018.
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