EC planning to boost public transport security

The European Commission is planning to spend €250m-a-year on research to boost security on public transport following last month's London bombings.

Announcing the move today, Enterprise Commissioner Guenter Verheugen said the London attacks highlighted the vulnerability of public transport networks to terrorists.

The plans to set aside €250m-a-year in funding must be approved by EU governments as part of the EU's budget for 2007 to 2013, which is still subject to negotiations.