Musicians are calling for a ban on buskers playing the London Underground to be lifted with immediate effect. Transport for London (TfL) closed buskers pitches across the Tube until the Queen's funeral.
TfL said the pitches would be closed as many of the stations would likely be overcrowded as members of the public travelled to the capital to pay their respects to the Queen. However, the Musicians' Union (MU) has called for the ban to be lifted.
Jamie Pullman, MU London Regional Organiser, said: “The MU has been in contact with many musicians who have been denied an opportunity to earn a living and wholeheartedly support their view that they should be allowed to continue to busk on the Underground. Given that music plays such a central role in national events - royal weddings and now the funeral of the Queen, it is absurd to suggest that it is a disrespectful activity. Busking went ahead safely during the recent Jubilee celebrations, so we believe that concerns about overcrowding are overstated.”
The MU has written an open letter to TfL asking for the ban to be lifted. It is feared that musicians will lose around £1,000 after being barred from playing.
The union argues that while the London Underground will be busier than usual, not all of the busking sites closed are in areas at risk of overcrowding. The TFL busking scheme has up to 39 pitches across 25 central London stations
The Musicians' Unions' letter to Transport for London
"We are writing on behalf of the musicians who have made us aware of their serious concerns over the recent decision to suspend the TfL Busking Scheme through the period of national mourning until the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II. The MU is saddened by the news of the death of the Queen and joins the country in paying its respects. However, we would encourage TfL to reverse this decision immediately, not least due to the impact it will have on the livelihood of its licensed buskers.
"The reason given for the suspension is that stations will be busier than usual. However, the suspension of the whole scheme would include pitches that are not at risk of overcrowding, and it would therefore make sense to only suspend pitches that are at risk of overcrowding, as we understand has happened in the past. Furthermore, we are advised that busking was permitted during the Queen's Platinum Jubilee Weekend Celebrations and was carried out without any incident or problem whatsoever.
"The Covid lockdowns had a devastating impact on musicians’ ability to make a living and they understandably don’t wish to have their ability to earn an income taken away from them again at this time, particularly during a cost-of-living crisis.
"We hope TfL will also consider the needs of the public at this time. For example, in recent media coverage, a security guard and a director of music have been praised for their spontaneous duet at London Bridge station to play songs in honour of the Queen, whereas the cancellation of the Last night of the Proms has been met with widespread criticism. We ask that you do not prevent musicians from earning a living at this time but instead give them the opportunity to play their instruments and provide TfL commuters with music that will comfort them and lift their spirits during this period of mourning."
