It would be as disastrous for the London Underground to separate management between infrastructure and operations as it has been on the heavy-rail network.
It has a key role in building the Channel Tunnel fast rail link and it is also a leading contender to take over the infrastructure contract for London Underground.
Then, inspired by NYC's High Line, Fletcher Priest won the Green Infrastructure Ideas Competition with his proposal for an underground mushroom tunnel beneath the streets of London.
Mr Prescott's favoured option was for London Underground to continue to run trains, but to hive off its network infrastructure on a long-term lease with ownership eventually reverting to the state.
Under PPP, London Underground is still publicly owned, but private companies were appointed to maintain and upgrade the infrastructure and support services.