Transcript for the Piece Audio version of London: One Day On

1 Day on from the terrorist attacks in Central London, the city is dusting itself off and, more or less, getting back to work.

(travel sounds)

Gerry the Cabbie has been having a busier day than usual.

Gerry .21”
In: Yeah, I just took….
Out: …get on a tube anyway.

It’s a slow day in London today as most people are heeding the government warning not to come into the City Center unless you really need to.

Traffic Euston

Still, if they come, the city is prepared. Most buses are running. There’s limited tube service and rail service is available like here at Euston Station, despite the number 30 bus having exploded just outside.

Cross to Pub sounds

The Royal George Pub is just across from Euston Station. The news is playing on the giant screened television. But other than that, it’s more or less business as usual.

Katherine is the Royal George’s manager. She was on duty when a bomb ripped the top off the number 30 bus just down the street the pub.

Dur: .27”
Katherine experience.
Fw We heard for…
Lw …and everything so.

However, while Catherine says she was shocked by the attack, she wasn’t surprised.

Dur: .34”
Katherine not unexpected
Fw London’s been waiting…
Lw …and themselves.

Indeed, most Londoners were expecting this. And all of those I approached where entirely laconic. 67 year old Bill also saw it coming..

Dur: .18”
Bill I’d expected…
Fw It’s just…
Lw …emergency services out.

In the end, London’s emergency services turned out to be well-prepared for the attack. Indeed, contrast to the events of September the 11th.
There a complacent New York was taken totally by surprise. There police and fire departments struggled valiantly with the resources they had available, but in the end they were overwhelmed. But then, New York has suffered relatively few attacks.
London’s recent history, however, is considerably different.

Winston Churchill.

London was bombed night after night during World War 2’s battle of Britain. And since then, there have been at least 15 separate attacks and explosions by the IRA since the end of World War 2, although none so large and so coordinated as yesterday’s alleged Al Quaeda attacks.

It seems that living with danger has become part of the London character. Gerry to cabby doesn’t seem daunted.

Dur: .14”
Gerry If your number’s up
Fw It’s just…
Lw …you just can’t be frightened of ‘em.