Coronavirus Memorial To TfL Workers Unveiled In City
A sobering memorial has been unveiled in remembrance of the TfL workers who died during the Covid pandemic.
More than 100 transport workers — including bus drivers, tube and rail staff, and taxi and private hire drivers — died due to the virus, which swept London from the beginning of 2020.
At a time when the majority of London's businesses offices, shops, theatres and pubs were closed, the city's public transport network was invaluable to essential workers. And although many tube stations were shut down during the worst of the epidemic — and the frequency of trains and buses dramatically lowered — many TfL workers remained on duty.
Long before a vaccine had been created to combat the disease, the lives of these workers was put at risk on a daily basis. In particular, the death of Belly Mujinga — who worked at Victoria station, and died from Covid after allegedly being coughed and spat at — sticks in the mind.
On 26 April 2023, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, and London's Transport Commissioner Andy Lord unveiled the simple, sobering memorial on a pedestrian square on Braham Street in Aldgate, as London's Transport Choir sang. Benches and new plants are placed nearby, inviting quiet reflection.
Said Andy Lord: "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."