Scrap January window, says Hammers captain February 7, 2013 WEST HAM captain Kevin Nolan has called for the January transfer window to be scrapped, insisting no one in football is in favour of it any more. His comments come after Queens Park Rangers manager Harry Redknapp complained of “gang warfare” among agents trying to muscle in on each other’s transactions as last week’s deadline [...]
I’d have gone further, but new rules are a good start February 7, 2013 THIS is something we Premier League clubs have talked about for years and there hasn’t been the appetite. But in the last couple of years there has been a shift of views – probably prompted by the Portsmouth situation, which shook everybody – and now fortunately we’ve agreed to put in some protocols that I [...]
Heathrow eyes £3bn boost for infrastructure February 3, 2013 HEATHROW is set to unveil a £3bn expansion plan later this month which will see it invest in terminal facilities, despite continued uncertainty over the future of airport expansion. However, Heathrow is also expected to unveil a substantial hike to the amount it charges airlines to use its facilities, up from the existing £17 per [...]
Crisis in the Eurozone is brewing up security problems for years ahead February 3, 2013 IN HIS speech on Britain’s relationship with the EU, David Cameron reminded us that European politics is still characterised by a competition for influence in pursuit of the national interest. There is, of course, no longer a military dimension to that contest. A common European market and common institutions have weakened the link between economics, [...]
A late night Tube is simple way to keep London competitive February 3, 2013 TRANSPORT for London has raised the prospect of the Underground running until 2am at weekends. Starting in 2015, this could deliver a signifciant boost to London’s £8bn a year dining, drinking and entertainment industry, and would provide a boon to the thousands of Londoners who flock to the West End for a night out. This [...]
Rail firms hit back as new franchise auction is axed January 31, 2013 TRAIN companies have reacted furiously after the government said it will not pay back money they spent on the Great Western rail franchise contest, which was axed yesterday. National Express, one of the firms that was competing for the 15-year contract, said yesterday it is taking legal advice after “the unfair and inconsistent decision not [...]
France hitting their peak at perfect time to land Six Nations January 31, 2013 WILLIAM CHRIMES AND BEN CLEMINSON PREVIEW THE SIX NATIONS AND PREMIER LEAGUE THIS YEAR’S Six Nations promises to be another thrilling northern hemisphere battle with England and France jostling for favouritism. Wales are the defending Grand Slam champions, yet have had a disastrous run of it with an almost record-breaking losing run of seven games. [...]
HS2 cost-benefit is a worrying mix of naive projections January 28, 2013 BACK in the 1840s, almost the entire rail network we use today was built over just one decade. Yesterday, the government set out the route that its proposed new high speed rail line – known as HS2 – will take to Leeds and Manchester. It wants to build this new line in two decades. Is [...]
High Speed Two railway to North unveiled today January 27, 2013 THE SECOND phase of the £33bn High Speed Two (HS2) railway will be unveiled by the government this morning, with communities learning whether they will be affected by the twin lines from Birmingham to Leeds and Manchester. However plans for a direct link to Heathrow have been postponed while the government decides on the future [...]
Empty offices look bleak now but are also a sign of optimism January 24, 2013 THE City is changing, and not just because of the skyscrapers about to reinvent its skyline. The firms that are taking office space are changing as well. The trend for insurers to cluster in EC3 around the Lloyd’s building is well-established. Equally striking has been the lack of demand in Cannon Place and the Walbrook, [...]