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- Memorial to Transport Workers who Lost Their Lives to COVID-19 Unveiled
28 April 2023
A new memorial in Aldgate that commemorates transport workers who passed away due to COVID-19 has been officially opened by the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan.
Figures from May 2022 show that a total of 105 workers, across London’s Tube, rail, buses, taxi and private hire services, died as a result of COVID-19 illnesses. This includes Belly Mujinga, a Govia Thameslink Railway ticket officer who had underlying respiratory problems.
The new memorial is on Braham Street in Aldgate, and contains a plaque paying tribute to London's transport workers alongside benches and new plants.
London's Transport Commissioner, Andy Lord, spoke at the official opening of the memorial and said: “This memorial pays tribute to our colleagues who helped the capital when it was needed the most, but we sadly lost to coronavirus. Their tragic loss is devastating for us all and we owe them our gratitude and must never forget them.
“They played a critical part in keeping London moving throughout the pandemic. While they paid the ultimate sacrifice, I have no doubt that they also helped save many lives by ensuring other key workers, such as doctors and nurses, got to work so they could in turn help to save others.”
Review into High Mortality Rate of London Bus Drivers
The mortality rate of London bus drivers aged 20-64 was 3.5 times higher than men of the same age in all occupations in England and Wales from March to May 2020. A resulting review from University College London recommended that transport companies should have taken steps to identify the most vulnerable drivers and reduce their risk of exposure.
Professor Sir Michael Marmot, Director, UCL Institute of Health Equity said that earlier lockdowns would have prevented more deaths of London bus drivers.
Picture: a photograph of the memorial to transport workers, with Sadiq Khan bending down to lay a floral wreath. Image Credit: TfL
Article written by Ella Tansley | Published 28 April 2023
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