TRANSPORT Secretary Stephen Byers was greeted by angry protesters as he outlined the benefits of modernising the Tube at a meeting for residents last week.

The MP was at Harrow College on Thursday to answer questions about the future of the Underground and to reassure residents that the public private partnership will not involve privatisation.

But he was greeted by a protest group who outlined their objections to the controversial proposal.

Mr Byers refused to be swayed, however, and maintained that all improvements will be independently verified as safe by the Health and Safety Executive and that the modernisation plan means an investment of £16 billion over the first 15 years. Priority will be given to improving capacity by 17 per cent on the Metropolitan Line.

"This decision took time because we wanted to ensure it was the right one," he said. "It's time to end the politics and get on with investment."