Time ticking on HS2: Work ‘must start within 67 days’ to avoid further delay to £106bn project January 24, 2020 The controversial HS2 rail project was delivered a stark deadline this morning, as the government spending watchdog declared the scheme would be delayed even further unless construction begins in the next 67 days. In its fourth report on the project in the last seven years, the National Audit Office (NAO) also said the Department for [...]
TfL banned Uber over concerns it could not prevent breaches by its drivers January 23, 2020 A letter released today revealed that TfL stripped Uber of its licence in London because of “serious doubts” it would be able to prevent breaches that put the public at risk. The letter from TfL to Uber, dated 25 November, detailed some of the breaches that TfL was concerned about, which included drivers providing services [...]
South Western Railway guards vote for more strike action January 23, 2020 Rail commuters face more misery on South Western Railway in the coming months, after staff voted for more strike action in the long-running dispute over the role of train guards. The National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) has not yet announced strike dates, but the action follows a record-breaking 27-day strike in [...]
European car sales set to drop for first time in seven years, says trade body January 23, 2020 Europe’s car sales are likely to decrease this year, according to the European automotive industry association ACEA. Car registrations are projected to drop two per cent in 2020, which would be the first drop in seven years. The forecast is likely to fuel growing concerns that car manufacturers’ best days are behind them. Companies are [...]
Volkswagen hit with largest environmental fine in Canadian history January 23, 2020 Volkswagen has been hit with the largest environmental fine in Canada’s history after the automobile giant pleaded guilty to dozens of diesel emissions violations. In December the carmaker was charged with importing 128,000 vehicles into the country which breached emissions standards. As a result, the firm will be forced to pay CA$196.5m (£113.7m) for 60 [...]
John Laing chief steps down after six years at infrastructure giant January 23, 2020 John Laing chief executive Olivier Brousse has this morning resigned from the long-running infrastructure firm in order to take up a new role at French utility Veolia. Brousse, who has been at the firm since 2014 and led the firm’s initial public offering in 2015, will remain at the company while a successor is identified. [...]
Don’t underestimate the politics of infrastructure January 23, 2020 The Conservative election campaign slogan may have been “Get Brexit Done”, but the fate of this government will ultimately hinge on what it does here at home — specifically regarding infrastructure. It is widely accepted, including by the Prime Minister himself and his chief aide Dominic Cummings, that the Conservatives need to do more than [...]
Boeing 737 Max to resume production ‘months’ earlier than expected January 22, 2020 Boeing chief executive Dave Calhoun today said he expects the 737 Max aeroplane to return to production earlier than previously stipulated. The US plane maker in December halted all production of the 737 Max jet following two deadly crashes that killed 346 people. On Tuesday the company announced that the grounded jet would return to [...]
Struggling South Western Railway could be nationalised, says transport secretary Grant Shapps January 22, 2020 The South Western Railway franchise could be nationalised in the coming months after transport secretary Grant Shapps today declared it financially “not sustainable”. South Western, which is run by First Group and Hong Kong firm MTR, has been plagued by delays, poor performance and a series of damaging strikes in recent months. The franchise lost [...]
Coronavirus: Heathrow airport to separate arrivals as concern grows January 22, 2020 Heathrow has set up a separate arrivals area for people travelling from the Chinese city hit by the coronavirus outbreak. Transport secretary Grant Shapps said Heathrow was putting “additional measures” in place this morning to protect against the virus. “Initially this is to ensure that when flights come in directly into Heathrow there is a [...]