Buskers fear TfL will scrap Tube pitches

Buskers could disappear from Tube stations because of a change in management, it was claimed today.

Transport for London is to take over the licensed busker scheme from next week to save money after it lost its main sponsor. But performers fear the system will collapse because of a lack of organisation.

Guitarist David O'Connell, 32, said: "There is a real risk every pitch in London will be shut by the end of next week."

The scheme has been run by Automatic Management using online bookings. But TfL has told buskers it will only accept bookings by phone.

Automatic Management's Jerry Smith said: "We thought the scheme would continue. Then on Tuesday we received a call cancelling it."

TfL said the busking scheme needed to be "value for public money".