MAYORAL candidate Ken Livingstone has said he fears upgrade work to the Piccadilly Tube line may not happen.

Mike Brown, managing director of London Underground, told politicians on Tuesday that funding for the work is not in place, and whether funding is coming at all may not be known until the end of the current Parliament, in 2015.

But Mr Livingstone, former Labour Mayor of London, said he thought cuts in government funding may lead to the project – due after the current Northern line upgrade – being cancelled.

He said: “I have a real feeling that it isn't going to happen.

“When I left office the upgrade work was due for completion by 2018, but Crossrail will be running by 2018 which will give the people who Boris and his government really care about a way into London.

“I don't think they understand life in London – I use the Tube and buses every day of my life – when have you ever seen Boris use the Tube when it wasn't for a PR stunt?

“People will come and invest in this city if the transport infrastructure works – I have a great relationship with Ed Miliband and Ed Balls and both off them are committed to infrastructure investment.”

The upgrade work on the Piccadilly Line will increase capacity by 24 per cent and slash journey times by 19 per cent.

In a statement, the Mayor's office said: “Ken Livingstone had eight years to deliver his vision for the capital. Londoners have since chosen a different approach which Boris Johnson has been busy implementing, not least securing the funding needed for the completion of London's Tube upgrades during the worst recession since World War Two.

“The Mayor has tirelessly fought to protect London's transport upgrades and financial settlement, including ending the disastrous contract with Tube lines and bringing the works in-house.

“Now that the upgrades are under London Underground's control, hundreds of millions of pounds are being saved and realistic delivery plans underway that will mean best value for money, minimum disruption and a far enhanced service when the Piccadilly line is completed.”