Airport expansion: This is politics for grown-ups – a decision must be made soon July 1, 2016 Amid all the schoolyard bickering which took place yesterday between those in the running (and those deciding not to be in the running) for both Tory and Labour leadership came a rather sombre statement by transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin. During parliamentary questions, he confessed that a decision over increasing London’s airport capacity will not take [...]
Great Western Railway launches new Hitachi train in celebration of 175 years of services between Bristol and London June 30, 2016 The government may have once again delayed a decision on air capacity in the South East, but new, faster trains are about to come into service between Bristol and London. Great Western Railway (GWR) today unveiled the first of a fleet of Hitachi-built trains on the day that it celebrates 175 years since the very first train ran on [...]
A decision on airport expansion has been put back until “at least” October June 30, 2016 A decision on airport expansion will be delayed until "at least October", the transport secretary has said. In Parliamentary questions this morning, Patrick McLoughlin said while he had hoped the government would be able to announce a decision this summer, it will now be delayed. "Being realistic, I cannot foresee an announcement until at least [...]
Infrastructure improvements needed at the heart of devolution agenda to boost growth, according to research from the Institution of Civil Engineers June 30, 2016 Significant boosts to local growth, quality of life and environmental sustainability could all materialise if infrastructure improvements are placed at the heart of the devolution agenda, according to new research. A report from the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) has found that the focus on infrastructure is a key economic driver for devolution, as well as [...]
Addison Lee is buying rival Tristar as part of its US expansion strategy June 28, 2016 Addison Lee, the UK private car hire company owned by private equity giant Carlyle, is buying rival Tristar. The financial details of the deal were not disclosed, but City sources put the valuation at around £30m. Tristar, which operates the largest luxury car fleet in the UK, has revenues of £50m per year. Read more: Addison Lee is taking the [...]
BT has been ordered to pay an £8,000 fine for dangerous roadworks June 28, 2016 British Telecom (BT) has been told it must pay more than £8,000 for "dangerous and disruptive roadworks", in its 37th prosecution since 2010. Transport for London prospected BT for the poorly managed roadworks, leading BT to appear before Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 22 June. The BT offences, which took place on the Transport for London Road [...]
Fastjet’s share price drops as it announces plans to raise funds to turn around fortunes in tough market June 28, 2016 African budget airline Fastjet has announced plans to raise funds to overhaul its operations amid a challenging environment. The airline has said that its operating environment "remains challenging" as it continues to cope with lower than expected passenger numbers and negative cashflow. Read more: Turbulent year hits African budget airline Fastjet The Africa-focussed airline's share price [...]
HS2 completion timetable “unrealistic”, says National Audit Office June 28, 2016 The Department for Transport set an “unrealistic timetable” for the completion of High Speed 2 (HS2), the National Audit Office (NAO) has said. A report out today says the 2026 target for the opening of phase one of HS2 is “at risk despite good progress with some major procurements”. Read more: Why peers must press [...]
EasyJet share price is being hammered after it warned Brexit could hit it hard June 27, 2016 Shares in airline EasyJet fell as the market opened, after it warned the outcome of the EU Referendum is likely to hit it where it hurts – on top of French air traffic control strikes and the Egyptair tragedy. The airline's share were down 7.4 per cent to 1,217.4p in early trading, after it said in [...]
Over 50 business leaders have called for an “urgent” decision on airport expansion almost exactly a year after an official report lent its support to a new Heathrow runway June 27, 2016 Over 50 business leaders have called on the government to urgently make a decision on expansion of capacity at London's airports, a year after an official report backed a new runway at Heathrow. Prior to last week's Brexit vote, reports had suggested that a decision could be made as soon as 7 July. However, following [...]