Andrew Tyrie demands Chancellor reveal more Heathrow details: It’s crucial that parliament “has all the tools at its disposal” December 9, 2016 Firstly Andrew Tyrie wasn't happy with the government over what assurances Nissan had been given on Brexit, writing to the head of the National Audit Office for more detail. And now, the chairman of the Treasury Committee has called on the government to be more forthcoming on Heathrow expansion too. The Conservative politician has written to [...]
Auto delay repay? No way: Southeastern won’t automatically refund customers using its celebrated ticketless smartcard, says bidder December 9, 2016 One of the bidders in the running for the Southeastern train franchise says it will not provide automatic compensation to delayed customers, despite a sector-wide push to ensure passengers are more swiftly and fairly compensated, City A.M. can exclusively reveal. Govia, which is in line to team-up with Network Rail to run the Southeastern franchise, [...]
Sadiq Khan accuses government of “washing their hands” of Southern rail crisis and abandoning passengers December 9, 2016 The mayor of London has become the latest to chime in on the hefty disruption on Southern rail, labelling the ongoing chaos "a total disgrace". Sadiq Khan criticised all sides and called on the unions to cancel the strikes lined up for next week, though he took particular aim at the government over its inaction. "The [...]
UK construction output fell in October, failing to build on September growth December 9, 2016 Construction output suffered a surprise slowdown in October, new figures out today show. The sector shrank by 0.6 per cent between September and October, falling below analyst expectations. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported that the biggest downward contribution came from infrastructure, while repair and maintenance showed no growth. Read more: It's not all [...]
Coalition of councils (including the Prime Minister’s local) says legal action against Heathrow expansion is a go December 9, 2016 A coalition of councils has teamed up and hit the government with legal papers for unlawfully supporting the expansion of Heathrow. And while the councils all made their intentions clear a while back, it does prove a headache for Theresa May as her own local council, the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, is involved [...]
London’s gig economy has grown 72 per cent since 2010 December 9, 2016 You might have suspected it given the influx of cyclists zooming by with Deliveroo boxes, and new research has confirmed it: the capital's gig economy is booming. In fact, it's grown 72 per cent, across the transport and storage sector, since 2010. The gig economy, driven by casual work, has become hugely popular in London, according to analysis [...]
Network Rail scraps loo charge at London Victoria after flushing out £1.4m for the year in toilet takings December 9, 2016 It's victory for those frustrated by having to spend a penny at rail stations – particularly suffering Southern commuters waiting around for delayed trains. For Network Rail has now ditched its toilet charge at London Victoria and Charing Cross stations. Read more: Taking the piss: How Network Rail is cashing in on the Southern strikes Earlier this [...]
More misery on the cards for Southern rail passengers as services are still affected post-strike action December 9, 2016 This week's strikes by the end Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union might have come to an end, but Southern passengers aren't getting respite just yet. In fact, services are still going to be "severely disrupted", as Southern tries to cope with train drivers' union Aslef's overtime ban. Southern has updated travel advice for during the [...]
High Court rules Aslef strikes can go ahead on Southern rail after legal bid by Govia Thameslink Railway fails December 8, 2016 A High Court judge has ruled that train drivers' strikes on Southern Rail can go ahead from next week, after a legal challenge failed. Southern rail owner Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) had sought an injunction to stop industrial action by train drivers' union Aslef, but the judge ruled the rail operator didn't have grounds to challenge [...]
Transport for London hits out at government for failing to share air quality information relating to Heathrow expansion December 8, 2016 Transport for London (TfL) has criticised the government for failing to share key information on Heathrow expansion. Speaking at a London Assembly Transport Committee meeting on Thursday, Alex Williams, acting managing director of planning at TfL, said: "There is an ongoing issue that pre any legal challenge, we have asked for a regular series of [...]