Government has no idea what it is trying to achieve with ‘floundering’ HS2 Euston project, MPs warn July 7, 2023 MPs have slammed the government’s handling of a “floundering” HS2 Euston project this morning, amid mounting criticism over the scheme’s soaring costs and ongoing delays. In a highly critical report, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) called on the Department for Transport (DfT) to “finally establish” its plans for the station against what it is willing [...]
Gatwick submits £2.2bn expansion plan as CEO hails airport competition July 6, 2023 Gatwick Airport has submitted an application for a £2.2bn second runway that could see passenger traffic double to 75 million. The west Sussex hub announced this afternoon that it had presented proposals to the government’s planning inspectorate, which aim to bring its emergency runway into routine use. Speaking to City A.M. ahead of the news, [...]
Jet2 shares slump despite soaring financial performance, as boss says he will step aside July 6, 2023 Leisure travel company Jet2 reported pre-tax profits of £390.8m, soaring 48 per cent from pre-pandemic levels, as it capitalised on an “enormous surge” in travel demand. The Leeds-headquartered firm reported revenues surge 40 per cent higher then pre-Covid to just over £5bn in its full year results., The company stated that consumer confidence to travel [...]
Petrol prices rise for first time in eight months as CMA breaths down supermarkets’ necks July 6, 2023 Petrol prices rose for the first time in eight months in June just days after the competition regulator found supermarkets hiked up fuel prices last year. Unleaded increased by nearly a penny (0.7p) to 143.9p, while diesel came down by 1.2p to 145.46p at the end of month, marking eight consecutive monthly reductions, according to [...]
Waiting on NHS is delaying driving license applications, says DVLA boss July 6, 2023 Delays in processing driving licence applications from people with health conditions are largely as a result of long waits for information from the NHS, the chief executive of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has said. Julie Lennard, boss of the DVLA, told the Commons’ Transport Committee: “We’re very dependent in a lot of [...]
Plans to close nearly all railway ticket offices in England condemned as job losses loom July 5, 2023 Plans for a mass closure of railway station ticket offices in England have been widely condemned. Industry body the Rail Delivery Group (RDG) unveiled proposals which could lead to nearly all offices being shut, with facilities only remaining open at the busiest stations. It comes after Transport Secretary Mark Harper wrote to train operators asking [...]
New car market ‘growing back and growing green’ with EV surge – but rate hikes peak concern July 5, 2023 Britain’s new car market recorded its 11th consecutive month of growth in June with registrations rising 25.8 per cent – but it might not be smooth driving in the near future. Just under one million new cars were registered in the first half of 2023, up 18.4 per cent on the previous 2022, according to [...]
Redde Northgate has record revenue and profit as soaring van hire demand outstrips supply July 5, 2023 Vehicle hire firm Redde Northgate posted a record financial performance this morning on the back of strong vehicle hire demand, with appetite for light commercial vehicles (LCV) continuing to “outstrip supply.” The Darlington-headquartered firm saw revenues of over £1.4bn, up 19.8 per cent year-on-year with pre-tax profits at £178.7m, up 34.7 per cent. Redde Northgate [...]
Sadiq Khan lacks legal authority for ULEZ expansion, court told July 4, 2023 The mayor of London Sadiq Khan lacks the legal authority to expand the Ultra-Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), five Conservative councils told London’s High Court this morning, marking the beginning of a two-day judicial review hearing. Represented by Craig Howell Williams KC – Bexley, Bromley, Harrow, Hillingdon and Surrey – are challenging the mayor over the [...]
Wizz Air outpaces strike-hit Ryanair as passenger numbers rise before critical summer getaway July 4, 2023 Wizz Air began the much-anticipated summer season of travel with a 23 per cent year-on-year boost in passenger numbers over June, as it outpaced its strike-hit ultra-low cost rival Ryanair. Its rival, Ryanair, reported passenger figures grew nine per cent to 17.4m last month. However, the carrier was forced to cancel 900 flights as a [...]