Chancellor Philip Hammond unveils Midlands Engine strategy with £392m investment and plans to cut congestion March 9, 2017 Chancellor Philip Hammond unveiled details of his Midlands Engine plans today, including £392m through the Local Growth fund to improve transport connections. This includes £151m for the West Midlands City region, the largest award for any area. There are also transport and infrastructure plans to improve the Midlands, including a commitment that by 2018, all [...]
The new Elizabeth Line passenger trains have arrived for testing ahead of May launch March 9, 2017 The time is drawing closer… The Elizabeth Line has been quietly taking shape with a release of bird's eye images in January showing how the various stations are shaping up. And this week, Transport for London (TfL) announced the first train to be used for passengers had arrived for testing in the capital. The first @elizabethline train [...]
Cyber Security in a Transport Revolution March 9, 2017 The transport industry is undergoing a technological revolution driven by connectivity, Big Data, autonomy and Artificial Intelligence (AI). Driverless cars are on the horizon and the Internet of Things is being developed throughout our current transport infrastructure. However, these technologies pose some significant issues, particularly in the area of cyber security. To address some of [...]
Britain will need its aviation industry “more than ever” post-Brexit, says aviation minister Lord Ahmad March 9, 2017 Aviation minister Lord Ahmad has told the industry it will be needed "more than ever" with Brexit on the horizon, as airlines seek clarity on what lies ahead. Ahmad said the government has been clear in its plans and will be "negotiating for a new, comprehensive, free trade agreement" securing the "right access" to European aviation markets. [...]
London mayor Sadiq Khan launches London’s first low emission bus zone in Putney High Street with 11 more to come March 9, 2017 Sadiq Khan has launched the capital's first low emission bus zone in one of the most polluted areas of London: Putney High Street. The clean bus zone runs 145 buses on seven scheduled routes and will now be serviced by cleaner buses in a drive to slash nitrogen oxide emissions. Putney High Street exceeded hourly [...]
Uber bans drivers from using Greyball technology that helps them to dodge investigators March 9, 2017 Uber has banned the use its controversial “Greyball" technology, which helps the drivers dodge undercover investigators. The counter-intelligence programme allows the tech giant to identify undercover officials trying to expose Uber’s operations in cities where it has previously banned. Read more: The worst or best job in tech? Uber's hiring a COO Once identified, the [...]
Budget 2017: London Mayor Sadiq Khan “disappointed” there was no Budget backing for Crossrail 2 March 8, 2017 London mayor Sadiq Khan said he was "disappointed" that the government didn't back Crossrail 2 in today's Budget. While the mayor said he was pleased to see progress on devolution, other areas were notably missing from Philip Hammond's announcements. “London did not get everything we needed today," said Khan. "I am disappointed that the government [...]
Budget 2017: Local authorities encouraged to tackle city congestion in £690m competition March 8, 2017 In the battle to tackle urban congestion, Philip Hammond will create a £690m competition for local authorities to address the issue and get local transport networks up and moving. He also repeated the £220m announced in the Autumn Statement that will be invested to tackle pinch points on national road networks – this includes £90m to the [...]
Airlines including EasyJet and Ryanair forced to cancel more than 800 flights due to French air traffic controllers’ strike March 8, 2017 Over 800 flights have now been cancelled across Europe for the first two days of the French air traffic control strike, with airlines also noting severe delays and detours of flights. Staff at control centres at Brest, Bordeaux and Marseilles are holding a five-day walkout, which Airlines For Europe said will result in over 1,000 flights [...]
Inmarsat share price rockets after announcing landmark tie-up with British Airways March 8, 2017 Inmarsat shares jumped over six per cent this morning after announcing a landmark tie-up BA that it is to be the first airline to provide high speed in-flight broadband to customers. The satellite firm also revealed it had grown group revenue and earnings over the last year, although bottom line figures fell. The figures Group revenue [...]