Government announces a ‘London summit’ to boost vaccine uptake June 23, 2021 The government will hold a London “vaccine summit” on Friday with Sadiq Khan and top health officials in a bid to boost the capital’s comparatively low take up of vaccines. Vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi today announced that the summit will aim to scrutinise why the take-up of first vaccine doses in London “is slightly behind [...]
London will be diminished if the Government’s Fortress Britain approach lasts much longer June 23, 2021 The sights and sounds of London’s gradual return to normality are tonic for the soul. There are the obvious signs: the march of City workers across London Bridge in the morning, queues at Pret at lunchtime, a packed Greek Street in the evening. And there are the less obvious, like spotting tourists plotting their journey [...]
London launches England’s first hydrogen-powered double decker buses June 23, 2021 Transport for London (TFL) will today add 20 new environmentally friendly hydrogen double decker buses to its fleet. Launched by London mayor Sadiq Khan in Ealing, the buses will provide commuters with smoother, quieter journeys thanks to less vibrations. Free-to-use USB charging ports will also be available onboard. They will join more than 500 electric [...]
Londoners avoid the office but visit parks en masse June 22, 2021 Visits to London’s central parks are back up to pre-pandemic levels but weekday commutes are far less popular, according to new data. Footfall in Regent’s Park has returned to 100 per cent of pre-pandemic levels, while Hyde park has seen 80 to 99 per cent of normal levels, according to provisional figures gathered by City [...]
Tube set for full mobile coverage by end of 2024 June 22, 2021 Commuters will be able to access phone and internet coverage on every part of the London Underground network by the end of 2024, Sadiq Khan has announced. Transport for London (TfL) has today signed a new deal with mobile provider BAI Communications to provide 4G and 5G service across the transit system. The first stations, [...]
Crossrail under renewed scrutiny as further delays loom June 17, 2021 London politicians have today called for more transparency over the progress of the Crossrail line after a new report into the project suggested further delays could be “difficult to avoid”. The Elizabeth line, which is now scheduled to open in the first half of 2022, has recently begun the trial running of services. But the [...]
Euro 2020: Ticket ballot launched for Londoners to watch England games in knock-out rounds at Trafalgar Square June 17, 2021 The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said today that the Euro 2020 Trafalgar Square Fan Zone will continue to host London key workers and community groups for the rest of England’s group stage matches, before launching a public ballot for tickets to watch any potential England games in the knock-out rounds. England’s victory over Croatia was cheered [...]
‘Not up to government’: Return to office under threat as ministers mull legal right to work from home June 17, 2021 Brits could be granted the right to work from home forever under shock post-pandemic plans being considered by the government. Ministers have proposed legal changes that would prevent employers from forcing staff to come into the office unless they can prove it is essential. The government will consult on the plan over the summer ahead [...]
Khan’s ‘Streetspace’ appeal upheld in blow for London’s taxis June 16, 2021 Sadiq Khan has this evening won his battle against London’s cabbies over the controversial “Streetspace” scheme. The Court of Appeal has upheld the Mayor’s appeal against a High Court judgement which deemed that the programme, which is designed to encourage walking and cycling during the pandemic, was introduced unlawfully. In his appeal, Khan argued that [...]
‘Confident’ in vaccine supplies: Health department denies reports of Pfizer shortage June 16, 2021 The Department of Health has denied reports of supply shortages of the Pfizer vaccine as the Covid jab rollout extends to over-21s, after the government delayed “Freedom Day” by four weeks to vaccinate more people. “We are confident in our vaccine supplies as we rollout to younger age groups,” a spokesperson for the Department of [...]