The DfT lends Network Rail millions every day. But it’s ok, the rail network is going to last for longer… November 24, 2016 Over £9m of public money is being lent every day to the company that runs Britain's ageing rail infrastructure. Network Rail drew down £1.6bn from a department for transport (DfT) facility over the last six months according to the company's – or non-departmental government body's – half-year accounts. This was on top of the £1.9bn of grant [...]
London Underground Tube drivers announce 24-hour strike starting 6 December – the same day as the next Southern walkout November 24, 2016 London Underground Tube drivers will go on strike for 24 hours in December, the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union has announced today. The strike, which relates to drivers on the Piccadilly and Hammersmith and City Lines, will start at 21:30 on 6 December – the same day Southern workers are also due to go on [...]
Commuters facing chaos at Euston with disruption expected throughout the night after man was hit by train November 23, 2016 Emergency services are dealing with an incident between London Euston and Watford Junction, which is causing chaos for commuters and significant disruption between the stations. British Transport Police said it was called to an area nearby London Euston station "following reports of a person being struck by a train". A spokesperson said: "Our officers attended [...]
TUI tie-up with Etihad nears take-off after board green lights plan for new airline November 23, 2016 TUI's supervisory board has given the green light for the proposed tie-up with Etihad Aviation to create a new European airline. Negotiations are expected to be "finalised in the next few weeks" according to a company statement. TUI's supervisory body approved the plan to spin-off its German leisure airline subsidiary TUIfly to a joint venture with Etihad. TUI will hold [...]
£450m goes towards digital signalling to improve rail reliability and £390m plugged into driverless cars, says Philip Hammond November 23, 2016 Amid his bumper infrastructure unveiling, Chancellor Philip Hammond announced £450m to trial digital signalling technology on railways to improve reliability. From 2018-19 to 2020-21 the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund (NPIF) will plug this investment into signalling technology, while £80m will be allocated to accelerate the roll-out of smart ticketing, including season tickets for commuters in [...]
Autumn Statement 2016: As expected Philip Hammond has pledged more than £1bn for broadband and 5G November 23, 2016 The chancellor Philip Hammond has – as expected – pledged more than £1bn for broadband and 5G in his Autumn Statement. He said: My ambition is for the UK to be a world leader in 5G. That means a full-fibre network; a step-change in speed, security and reliability. He also revealed the government will offer business rates relief on new [...]
Autumn Statement 2016: There will be an extra £1.1bn invested in English transport networks says chancellor Philip Hammond in his Autumn Statement November 23, 2016 As part of his £23bn to be spent on innovation and infrastructure over five years the chancellor Philip Hammond has announced there will be an extra £1.1bn invested in English transport networks, "where small investments can often achieve big wins". Some of this will go on rail. Hammond said the transport secretary will set out more details [...]
How the chancellor can unlock more private capital for infrastructure November 23, 2016 Chancellor Philip Hammond is widely expected to outline a more flexible approach to deficit reduction when he delivers his first Autumn Statement today. Flexibility seems wise, given the scale of uncertainty as the UK prepares to leave the EU. Ministers have identified investment in infrastructure as a means to boost the UK’s competitive standing. In [...]
The boss of BA had no idea Heathrow expansion would demolish his £200m HQ November 23, 2016 The boss of BA Willie Walsh was left rather surprised to find that the expansion of Heathrow airport would end up demolishing his £200m headquarters, it turns out. He may be a powerful man in the world of airlines, but Walsh revealed the firm received "no formal warning of the proposed demolition", speaking to the Guardian. [...]
Chancellor Hammond must focus on the quality of infrastructure spending, not its quantity November 22, 2016 Keynes is back, or so it seems. Both left and right wing movements across the West are calling for greater government borrowing to finance infrastructure projects. In the US, Donald Trump is proposing to invest $500bn. In the UK, Labour’s John McDonnell wants an even more lavish £500bn programme, equivalent to around a quarter of [...]