Problems with a 24-hour London Underground

I read with interest your page on getting London Underground to run through the night. While this might at first seem like a good idea, I fell compelled to point out some problems, and tell you why I will oppose any such move.

1. Engineering work takes place after most people think that the network has shut down. In fact, the network never shuts down, even at weekends. The Tube's 24 hours are divided into two areas: 20 "traffic hours" (when passenger trains run) and 4 "engineering hours" (when maintenance is performed).
2. Track and signals maintenance must be carried out when trains are not running, otherwise it is not safe for the workers. It is not possible for a worker to step out of the path of a train while he or she is working in a tunnel.
3. Keeping the system in passenger service through the night would encourage drinkers to stay in the pubs for longer and consume more alcohol. When they then enter a station, they will pose a greater danger to themselves and others. For example, drunks often drop items onto the track, then go down to retrieve it. When you hear announcements like, "services are suspended because of a person under a train" it is just as likely to be this situation as, say, a suicide attempt. Sometimes they just fall over edge of the platform.
4. Station staff are not paid to be security guards, but often have to prevent drinkers from travelling for reasons of their own safety. Even when the member of staff is being as diplomatic as possible, the passengers often become aggressive. All night opening would only make such situations worse.
5. Each journey will become more expensive because more staff will have to be employed to cover the shifts. Remember also that nightshift workers will demand higher rates of pay than those working more sociable hours.
6. London Underground employees have families too. Shift work is hard enough without night work.
7. If the Tube does begin running passenger services 24 hours per day, I shall demand that ALL other industries also run 24 hour services. For example, airports would have to have as many flights at 3am as at 3pm. My bank would have to open all of its branches throughout the night (and I don't mean telephone or internet banking). After all, if some Londoners want a 24 hour city, they must accept that their own working lives become 24 hours.
8. London Underground employees pay taxes. London Underground employees pay for other companies services. London Underground employees pay other people's wages when they use their services. London Underground employees have equal rights and their opinions matter as much as anyone else's.