A ceremony has been held in London to honour those Transport for London staff who lost their lives to Covid-19.

The Mayor of London and transport commissioner Andy Lord were joined by the families, friends and colleagues of the victims when a memorial was unveiled in a square in Aldgate. 

More than 100 transport workers have lost their struggle with Covid, and the new permanent memorial unveiled by the Mayor and Commissioner pays tribute to the vital contribution they made by keeping essential workers moving during the pandemic.

The memorial is accompanied by benches and new plants, including a Foxglove Tree, which create a space for quiet reflection and remembrance.

The Mayor said: ‘It’s an honour to commemorate the more than 100 transport workers who lost their lives in the service of our city.

‘When the entire nation was gripped by fear they did not waver. They ensured our phenomenal NHS workers could still care for our friends and family, our shopworkers and delivery drivers could still meet our basic needs and our care workers could still look after our most vulnerable.

‘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.’

Commissioner Andy Lord added: ‘This memorial pays tribute to our colleagues who helped the capital when it was needed the most, but we sadly lost to coronavirus. Their tragic loss is devastating for us all and we owe them our gratitude and must never forget them.

‘While they paid the ultimate sacrifice, I have no doubt that they also helped save many lives by ensuring other key workers, such as doctors and nurses, got to work so they could in turn help to save others.’