Pentonville prison escape: Inmates still on the run November 8, 2016 Two prisoners who escaped from HMP Pentonville in north London yesterday are still at large. Two men broke out of the Islington prison on Monday morning, and it is believed guards were fooled into believing the pair were still in their bunks by pillows – earlier reports claimed mannequins were used to trick prison officers. The [...]
Construction begins on Europe’s tallest modular residential block November 8, 2016 Work has begun on Europe's tallest modular residential tower block, the latest innovation scheme to help combat London's housing crisis. The 26-storey tower will be built in Mapleton Crescent in Wandsworth, and is constructed entirely from modular units – compact flats assembled in factories before being installed with cranes. Read more: How innovation is transforming the property industry The 89-unit [...]
DfT says the requirement for driver-only operated trains wasn’t consulted on before the letting of Southern Rail franchise November 7, 2016 The department for transport (DfT) has confirmed the requirement for driver-only operated (DOO) trains was not consulted on prior to the letting of the Southern Rail franchise. Facing a grilling by the transport select committee as it met to discuss the subject of rail franchising, Peter Wilkinson, managing director of passenger services at the DfT [...]
Sadiq Khan doesn’t want the government to “pass the buck” to him on air pollution November 7, 2016 Sadiq Khan's not best pleased with the government's perceived inaction on air pollution. He said the government "has been seriously complacent about this health emergency for the last six years and now is the time for them to stop gambling with our health and show real leadership". Following the high court ruling (in which the [...]
Two prisoners escape from Pentonville prison in North London November 7, 2016 Two prisoners have escaped from Pentonville prison in north London. The Ministry of Justice announced the escape from the Islington prison this afternoon. The prisoners have not yet been named. A Prison Service spokesperson said: "Two prisoners at HMP Pentonville were found to be missing on Monday 7 November. "Public protection is our top priority and [...]
Aslef’s not happy with Southern over “misleading” claims it cancelled a strike ballot November 7, 2016 Train drivers' union Aslef is not happy over a press release sent out by Southern's parent company Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) over the weekend. A press release from GTR said Aslef "cancels ballot 24 hours after launch", calling it off for technical reasons. Aslef said it had simply been postponed. Angie Doll, Southern's passenger services director, [...]
Aslef postpones ballot of Southern Rail drivers after “technical hitches” November 7, 2016 Train drivers' union Aslef has postponed its ballot of Southern drivers after a series of "technical hitches" over the weekend. Aslef had given out the papers on Friday 4 November, but noticed technical issues on Saturday. A spokesman told City A.M. there would be a re-ballot as it was "important to give members an opportunity to [...]
Heathrow chairman Lord Deighton wants other airports given the green light for expansion November 6, 2016 Lord Deighton is feeling magnanimous since Heathrow's expansion plans have been given the go-ahead. Speaking to the Sunday Telegraph, Heathrow's chairman said airports across Britain should be allowed to grow; as long as there's enough demand for their services. "To the extent that those airports need an extra runway to be able to provide the slots to [...]
Who is Amy Lamé? All you need to know about Sadiq Khan’s first night czar November 4, 2016 The job advert caused a stir when it went up. An exciting proposition: Could you be the one to turn London into a true 24-hour city? Well, Sadiq Khan thinks Amy Lamé is the woman to do it. She'll work 2.5 days a week for £35,000. Not bad. The advert for the position said Khan was after [...]
Sadiq Khan has announced London’s first night czar is Amy Lamé November 4, 2016 It's that moment we've all been waiting for. London Mayor Sadiq Khan has announced the name of his new night czar, who'll be tasked with boosting the capital's nighttime culture. It's writer, DJ, performer and campaigner Amy Lamé. She'll be working with Khan, the Night Time Commission, businesses, councils, Met Police and Transport for London to [...]