…By Henry George for TDPel Media.
On Wednesday, Mayor Sadiq Khan unveiled a memorial in Aldgate, London, in memory of the more than 100 transport workers who lost their lives due to Covid-19.
The workers, who included bus drivers, taxi and minicab drivers, and those operating Transport for London (TfL) routes, died between March 2020 and October 2021.
A study conducted by City Hall found that London bus drivers were three times more likely to die from Covid-19 than the general UK population, with concerns that not enough was done to protect these workers from the virus.
Memorial plaque installed in pedestrian square
The memorial plaque has been installed in Braham Street, Aldgate, and is accompanied by benches and plants, including a Foxglove tree.
The space has been created for “quiet reflection and remembrance”.
The TfL workers’ memorial had been scheduled to open last summer, but fell behind schedule.
Memorial garden also opened in Olympic Park
The TfL memorial is in addition to a memorial garden opened in the Olympic park in 2021.
The garden honours the Londoners who died during the pandemic, including at least 19,102 who died from Covid-19 in hospital and unknown thousands who passed away at home or in care homes.
Khan and Lord pay tribute to transport workers
In his message on the memorial, Khan paid tribute to the transport workers who kept the capital moving during the lockdowns, saying, “When the entire nation was gripped by fear, they did not waver.
They were there for us and we are duty bound to remember that we only prevailed because they persevered.
This memorial will stand here for all time as an expression of the debt we owe for the sacrifice they made.”
TfL commissioner Andy Lord also praised the workers, stating that they “played a critical part in keeping London moving throughout the pandemic”.
Floral tributes laid at memorial
A number of floral tributes were laid at the memorial, including from bus companies and former TfL commissioner Andy Byford.
Commentary:
The unveiling of this memorial serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by transport workers during the pandemic.
London’s bus drivers and other transport workers were on the frontline, ensuring that essential workers could get to their jobs and that the city could continue to function.
The fact that London bus drivers were three times more likely to die from Covid-19 than the general population is a stark indication of the risks they faced.
This memorial not only honours those who lost their lives, but also pays tribute to the courage and resilience of all transport workers who continued to work despite the risks.
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