The UK’s facing EU legal action over response to VW emissions scandal – along with six other nations December 8, 2016 The European Union (EU) has opened legal action against seven nations, including the UK, over their response to the Volkswagen emissions scandal. Four – the UK, Germany, Luxembourg and Spain – have been criticised for failing to take action against Volkswagen for cheating emission tests. They were accused of not imposing similar penalties to those faced by VW [...]
The world’s longest rail tunnel will officially open to the public on Sunday December 8, 2016 It's been a long time in the making, but the world's longest and deepest train tunnel will finally open to the public, after getting the go-ahead on commercial use, with full services running from Sunday. The Gotthard Base Tunnel in Switzerland is a 57km line under the Swiss Alps between northern and southern Europe and as [...]
London mayor Sadiq Khan is making a “last-ditch attempt” to change the government’s mind on rail devolution December 8, 2016 It might've been a no from Chris Grayling, but Sadiq Khan isn't giving up his quest to move control of suburban rail services over to Transport for London (TfL). In fact, deputy mayor of London for transport Val Shawcross, has said he'll be making "a last-ditch attempt" at getting the government to have a rethink. [...]
Sadiq Khan’s TfL business plan will “leave the books resolutely unbalanced” December 8, 2016 The mayor's Transport for London (TfL) business plan has only just been announced, but it's already causing raised eyebrows. Step forward Keith Prince, Conservative London Assembly member, who has criticised the plan as "reckless" and warned that commuters will suffer. “Since May we’ve seen the mayor making wild spending promises with little real hint of [...]
Minicab drivers in London are protesting against English language tests December 8, 2016 Minicab drivers in the capital will protest today against new rules on language tests which have been called "completely unfair". Drivers, represented by GMB union, will demonstrate at City Hall against the introduction of English language requirements by Transport for London. Hundreds of drivers are expected to turn out to protest against the "ludicrously priced" exam. All [...]
A London Christmas Tube map has been created with all the best of the capital’s festive attractions December 8, 2016 Grinches be gone, and festive fans set your eyes on this. A rather spectacular Christmas Tube map has been created to showcase all the best of the capital's Christmas attractions, from the Harry Potter Shop for some last-minute gifts to Fortnum & Mason for swankier presents. There's the Southbank Winter Festival to Christmas at the Imperial [...]
TfL plans to save £800m as it sheds management layers and cuts jobs to deliver mayor’s spending ambitions December 8, 2016 Transport for London (TfL) has unveiled its five-year business plan to achieve the big investments Sadiq Khan has been announcing – and it involves trimming jobs to save £800m a year. The mayor has unveiled funding for a range of issues from £770m on London's cyclists to £200m on step-free access on the Underground, along with [...]
Conservative MP Bob Neill wants Grayling to resign over “cynical, party political move” on suburban rail services December 8, 2016 A leaked letter from Chris Grayling to former mayor Boris Johnson saying he wanted to keep suburban rail services "out of the clutches" of any future Labour mayor has prompted a flurry of criticism. And at the forefront of it, Bob Neill, former Conservative Party vice chairman and MP for Bromley and Chislehurst, has called for [...]
London Assembly calls on Grayling to reconsider Transport for London’s proposals to take over Southeastern December 7, 2016 The London Assembly has passed an urgent motion calling on the transport secretary to reconsider his decision not to devolve franchise management to Transport for London (TfL). Leader of the Labour group on the London Assembly, Len Duvall, who proposed the motion, said the issue was "far too important" to be used for party political purposes. Duvall said [...]
Three contractors on Crossrail project are to be prosecuted over the death of a worker December 7, 2016 Three contractors on the Crossrail project are to be prosecuted over the death of a worker and injuries to two others, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has announced. BAM Nuttall Limited, Ferrovial Agroman and Kier Infrastructure and Overseas Ltd will be prosecuted in relation to three incidents that took place during the construction of the new [...]