Grin and bear it, says Tube repairs chief

The head of one of the private sector firms carrying out vital improvements on the Underground today urged frustrated commuters to grin and bear it.

Ian Tyler, chief executive of one of Britain's biggest contractors Balfour Beatty, said that despite work slipping behind in "one or two areas", much progress was already being made.

His comments come a day after the Evening Standard revealed there are growing concerns that key targets under the controversial public-private partnership deal are not being met.

Balfour Beatty is a one-fifth shareholder in Metronet, the consortium responsible for maintenance and renewal work on almost two-thirds of the network. Mr Tyler said: "This is a long-term project. A lot of what has been written is not a fair reflection of the progress Metronet is making."