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Tube revels shut Liverpool Street

Sat May 31 22:40:47 UTC 2008

Tube revels shut Liverpool Street

Sat May 31 23:00:45 UTC 2008

Liverpool Street Tube station has been shut for an hour after thousands of revellers descended on it to mark the last night of drinking on the Tube.

Liverpool Street Tube station has been shut for an hour after thousands of revellers descended on it to mark the last night of drinking on the Tube.

Drinking alcohol will be banned on much of London transport from midnight, and thousands marked the ban by gathering to drink in stations and on the Tube.Drinking alcohol will be banned on much of London transport from midnight, and thousands marked the ban by gathering to drink in stations and on the Tube.
The station was closed from 2100 to 2200 to ease overcrowding, after about 2,000 people began partying there. The station was closed to ease overcrowding, after about 2,000 people began partying there.
Across London, six people were arrested for being drunk and disorderly.Across London, six people were arrested for being drunk and disorderly.
The ban on drinking from - or carrying - open containers of alcohol applies to the Tube, London buses, Docklands Light Railway and trams.The ban on drinking from - or carrying - open containers of alcohol applies to the Tube, London buses, Docklands Light Railway and trams.
It was announced by London Mayor Boris Johnson shortly after he took office.It was announced by London Mayor Boris Johnson shortly after he took office.
Many people celebrating the last night of legitimate drinking met at Liverpool Street Station's west-bound Circle Line platform at about 2030 BST. Many people celebrating the last night of legitimate drinking met at Liverpool Street Station's west-bound Circle Line platform at about 2030 BST.
Others crowded onto Circle Line trains, while police said Baker Street was another hotspot. Others crowded onto Circle Line trains, while police said Baker Street was another hotspot.
It's sweaty on there but I'm going round and round until I vomit
Peter Moore, from Brighton Londoner Matt Wynn, 43, a banker, said: "I've come along with a bottle of champagne because I want to show that you can drink responsibly on the Tube and not cause trouble. 		It's sweaty on there but I'm going round and round until I vomit
Peter Moore, from Brighton Londoner Matt Wynn, 43, a banker, said: "I've come along with a bottle of champagne because I want to show that you can drink responsibly on the Tube and not cause trouble.
"It's going to be a bit of a stop-start evening, though, because there are no toilets on the Tube.""It's going to be a bit of a stop-start evening, though, because there are no toilets on the Tube."
Steve Nosworthy, 27, from Australia, said: "I've brought along this big crate of Carling and I'm going to go round and round all night - well, until 12 o'clock, when I'll probably get kicked off."Steve Nosworthy, 27, from Australia, said: "I've brought along this big crate of Carling and I'm going to go round and round all night - well, until 12 o'clock, when I'll probably get kicked off."
David Mudkips, 25, a web programmer from Hackney, described the experience on the train as: "Like rush hour but fun. There were people's sweaty armpits in my face but I didn't care because I was drinking."David Mudkips, 25, a web programmer from Hackney, described the experience on the train as: "Like rush hour but fun. There were people's sweaty armpits in my face but I didn't care because I was drinking."
Peter Moore, 35, a sailor from Brighton, described his night as: "Drunken, I just downed a can of beer in 10 seconds. It's sweaty on there but I'm going round and round until I vomit." Peter Moore, 35, a sailor from Brighton, described his night as: "Drunken, I just downed a can of beer in 10 seconds. It's sweaty on there but I'm going round and round until I vomit."
'Half-baked''Half-baked'
Bob Crow, general secretary of the RMT union which represents train drivers, previously called the partying "irresponsible".Bob Crow, general secretary of the RMT union which represents train drivers, previously called the partying "irresponsible".
But he also said the alcohol ban was "half-baked" and could put staff at greater danger of assault.But he also said the alcohol ban was "half-baked" and could put staff at greater danger of assault.
But Mr Johnson said he was determined to improve the safety and security of public transport in London.But Mr Johnson said he was determined to improve the safety and security of public transport in London.
He said the ban had the full support of the Metropolitan Police and British Transport Police.He said the ban had the full support of the Metropolitan Police and British Transport Police.