London Underground chief Tim O'Toole resigns

The man in charge of London's Tube network has quit, it was revealed.

London Underground managing director, Tim O'Toole, has stepped down to return to his home in the United States, Transport for London said.

The 53-year-old, who was awarded an honorary CBE for his organisation's response to the July 7 terrorist bombings, is leaving after a six-year stint in the high-profile position.

He will step down at the end of April and return to his American home, which he has maintained throughout his time at Transport for London.

He said: "I am sad to leave London Underground but after six years in London it is time to go home. London Underground's customers and employees can look forward to the continuing transformation of the Tube with the delivery of major projects between now and the London 2012 (Olympic) games.

"I shall always be grateful for the privilege of being part of such a great institution."

Mayor of London Boris Johnson will now look for a replacement for the highly rated executive.

Mr Johnson said: "I fully understand Tim's desire to return home after six years serving London. During that time he has led from the front and made huge progress in delivering an improved Tube after decades of under investment."

Before his role as head of the tube network, Mr O'Toole was president of Consolidated Rail Corporation, one of America's biggest rail networks.

Peter Hendy, London's Commissioner of Transport, said: "His leadership was exemplified by getting London moving again so quickly after the terrorist attacks of July 2005. We will greatly miss him as a colleague and I will miss him as a friend."

Last month Mr O'Toole told MPs that the Tube would always be a target for terrorists because of its "iconic" status but said the current terror threat would eventually "burn itself out".

Addressing a Home Affairs Committee meeting, he said: "People will always be interested in the Tube because it is such an iconic institution, it is so much a part of this country's identity and it will never drop off the radar.

"Personally and speaking only for myself I believe this madness will burn itself out. It has always done so in the past. We will confront other things in the future."

He praised the efforts of staff for keeping calm in the wake of the bombings in 2005 and said that by restoring the service they had refused to reward the attackers with the chaos they were looking for.

Former London Mayor Ken Livingstone said: "I want to pay tribute to the extraordinary contribution Tim O'Toole has made to London.

"His steely nerves took us through the worst moments of the terrorist attacks on London when London Underground staff saved many, many lives. Then he got London moving again within hours showing we will never give in to those who seek to murder us.

"Tim also took on one of the greatest challenges in the transport world addressing the problems of the misconceived Public Private Partnership imposed by Government on the London Underground.

"His combination of disarming charm and determination also helped all sides through the most difficult moments in industrial relations.

"Tim was committed at all times to help Londoners earn their living and enjoy their leisure by providing the best possible Tube service.

"Personally, his professional and under-stated manner always made him a pleasure to work with.

"I find it the most unbelievable incompetence and lack of interest in the lives of Londoners for Boris Johnson to lose one of the best public servants London has seen.

"I want to thank Tim for his service to our great city. His unique personal qualities and professional talent, which won the hearts of all who worked with him, will be sorely missed."

Bob Crow, general secretary of the Rail Maritime and Transport union, said he did not blame Mr O'Toole for leaving.

He said: "A transport chief is only as good as the policies he or she is implementing, and TfL has launched an assault on jobs that can only harm services.

"More important than who succeeds Tim O'Toole is the need to scrap attacks on jobs, ditch what is left of the public private partnership (PPP) and get the Tube's upgrade back on track in time for 2012."

Former London Mayor Ken Livingstone said: "I want to pay tribute to the extraordinary contribution Tim O'Toole has made to London.

"His steely nerves took us through the worst moments of the terrorist attacks on London when London Underground staff saved many, many lives. Then he got London moving again within hours showing we will never give in to those who seek to murder us.

"Tim also took on one of the greatest challenges in the transport world addressing the problems of the misconceived Public Private Partnership imposed by Government on the London Underground.

"His combination of disarming charm and determination also helped all sides through the most difficult moments in industrial relations.

"Tim was committed at all times to help Londoners earn their living and enjoy their leisure by providing the best possible Tube service.

"Personally, his professional and under-stated manner always made him a pleasure to work with.

"I find it the most unbelievable incompetence and lack of interest in the lives of Londoners for Boris Johnson to lose one of the best public servants London has seen.

"I want to thank Tim for his service to our great city. His unique personal qualities and professional talent, which won the hearts of all who worked with him, will be sorely missed."