TRANSPORT unions paid tribute today to the victims and staff on the 20th anniversary of the 7/7 London bombings.

Fifty-two people were killed and almost 800 more were injured when four suicide bombers struck London’s transport network on July 7, 2005.

RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey said that it was important to remember the bravery of those who responded to the bombings, particularly transport workers, emergency services staff and public services who provided essential support.

He said: “RMT London Underground members were at the front line of the attack and played a critical role in the response to it.

“We must remember them and remind ourselves of the need for trained safety-critical transport workers to protect the travelling public.”

TSSA general secretary Maryam Eslamdoust said her union was taking “the time to pause, reflect and remember the events of that terrible day.”

She said: “The victims and their families are never far from our thoughts, nor the brave transport workers and emergency services who were the real heroes on 7/7.

“We pay tribute and give thanks to them all — not least our members who are on the front line of the transport network, keeping Britain moving every single day.

“The events of 7th of July 2005 will never be forgotten, and now more than ever we must do all we can to keep our transport network safe, not only for workers but our travelling public.

“Our union is already leading efforts calling on the government to ensure that British Transport Police are fully funded for the long term.”

A memorial service was also held in London’s St Paul’s Cathedral, which heard readings by Mayor Sadiq Khan and was attended by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper and Fire Brigades Union general secretary Steve Wright.

Four candles representing the site of each attack were carried through the cathedral by representatives of the emergency services and placed in front of the altar.

Those carrying the candles were Victor West from Transport for London, Helen Skeggs from the Metropolitan Police Service, Guy Tillotson from the London Fire Brigade and Tracy Russell from the London Ambulance Service.

Readings by survivors, families of victims and emergency responders were given about the history of each of the parts of London that were targeted in the attacks.