IoD calls on government to forget cash injections and focus on infrastructure and skills for its industrial strategy January 21, 2017 The government's much-hyped industrial strategy needs to focus on UK infrastructure and shoring up skills, rather than cash support for individual firms, business leaders have said. A new Institute of Directors (IoD) survey of over 800 members found almost nine in 10 back the development of a joined-up plan – set to be published next [...]
The great Gatwick switch starts next week: British Airways, easyJet and Virgin Atlantic swap terminals January 20, 2017 Gatwick is braced for some rather confused passengers next week as it starts its mass airline merry-go-round. So the airport is doing what it can to make sure any travellers know the changes ahead of time. It has issued advice for British Airways, easyJet and Virgin Atlantic passengers, telling them to check which terminal they'll be [...]
From electric streets to hydrogen vans: Here’s how six London neighbourhoods plan to improve air quality January 20, 2017 The mayor and Transport for London (TfL) have announced £1.4m in funding for six "neighbourhoods of the future" that will aim to tackle London's air quality troubles at a local level. The funding will be matched by £1.1m from the London boroughs involved and Heathrow airport, as the areas aim to combine green tech with [...]
Full steam ahead: Tunnelling for the £1.2bn Northern Line extension starts in March January 20, 2017 The first extension to the Tube network since the Jubilee line in the late '90s kicks off in March, as tunnelling gets underway to branch out the Northern line. Sadiq Khan has announced that tunnelling will get underway to create the £1.2bn extension of the line between Kennington and Battersea. Two 650-tonne boring machines (each the length [...]
Uber has agreed a $20m deal with the US Federal Trade Commission to settle claims of driver deception January 20, 2017 Uber has agreed to pay $20m (£16m) to settle allegations it duped people into driving for its ride-hailing app with false promises regarding how much they'd earn. According to a lawsuit brought by the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the company made exaggerated claims about how much drivers could earn and how affordable its vehicle [...]
Now the RMT’s balloting London Midland conductors for strike action January 20, 2017 Conductors on London Midland will be balloted for strike action and action short of a strike, the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union announced today. The RMT said it was balloting its 523 London Midland conductor members over a decision to place security contractors on trains within the network without agreement. RMT general secretary Mick [...]
Government starts hunt for company to build HS2 trains in £2.75bn contract January 20, 2017 It's full steam ahead for HS2: the government's now after a company to sign a £2.75bn contract to make a fleet of high speed trains for the project. Up to 60 high specification trains to transport passengers at around 225mph on the new rail service, will be needed. The government said hundreds of jobs will be [...]
Tesla’s fatal autopilot crash investigation has concluded: Here’s what it said January 19, 2017 A US government investigation into Tesla's autopilot system following a fatal crash, has found that the tech company gave drivers enough warning around the system and identified no defects, avoiding a recall of the Model S cars. The report by the US department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said: "Although perhaps not as [...]
RMT says Southern strikes will go ahead next week January 19, 2017 The RMT said Southern rail strikes will go ahead next week, after the union said it was "excluded" from talks between Aslef and rail bosses. Southern drivers and guards who are members of the RMT union will strike on Monday 23 January. RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: "RMT demands again today that this union be [...]
Full steam ahead for new HS2 West Coast Partnership franchise: Government unveils checklist for prospective bidders January 19, 2017 The government has laid out details for prospective bidders on the new franchise that will run the InterCity West Coast and HS2 services, with the winner set to be announced in November next year. The new franchise – the West Coast Partnership – is scheduled to start on 1 April 2019, and the operator will be [...]