It’s on: Khan v Bailey will be a chance to scrutinise the leading candidates March 6, 2020 Four years ago I chaired the first head- to-head debate between the mayoral candidates Sadiq Khan and Zac Goldsmith. It was a dramatic encounter, with the Labour candidate (and current London mayor) laying into his rival for the Tory campaign’s descent “into the gutter.” Just days before the debate, Goldsmith had launched a stinging attack [...]
HS2 could have planning problems without Crossrail 2, says HS2 boss March 5, 2020 HS2 could run into planning problems if Crossrail 2 does not get the go-ahead, according to HS2’s chief executive. Speaking to the Public Affairs Committee yesterday, Mark Thurston said HS2 chiefs had expected Crossrail 2 to be approved when drawing up plans for the high speed train line. He added that the new Crossrail 2 [...]
Tube delays caused by faulty trains rise by a third March 5, 2020 The number of Tube delays caused by faulty trains has risen by almost a third in just two years, according to new figures. Between 2016-17 and 2018-19, the number of delays on the London Underground due to mechanical issues with the trains shot up from 3,806 to 5,040 – a 32 per cent increase. More [...]
Sadiq Khan’s rent control pledge is a minefield of unintended consequences March 4, 2020 There is no denying that London faces a housing crisis. Similarly, there is no denying that many people feel that their rents take too high a proportion of their income. If you are Sadiq Khan, the solution is obvious: if people object to high rents, the state should cap them — problem solved. It is [...]
Crossrail 2 business case passes major Department for Transport hurdle March 3, 2020 The business case for Crossrail 2 has been given preliminary approval by the Department for Transport (DfT), bringing the project closer to a decision on its final fate. The latest business case for the new north-south Tube line was submitted to the government by Transport for London (TfL) in June last year. It includes details [...]
Coronavirus: Sadiq Khan says Tube travel ban very unlikely March 3, 2020 Londoners are unlikely to be advised to stop using the Tube during the coronavirus outbreak, according to Sadiq Khan. Speaking after the launch of his re-election campaign today, the mayor of London said he does not believe it will be necessary to ban public gatherings or tell people to stay away from public transport. Khan [...]
Japan may postpone Tokyo Olympics as coronavirus cases mount March 3, 2020 Japan may be allowed to postpone the Tokyo Olympics until the end of 2020, the country’s minister responsible for the games said today. Olympics minister Seiko Hashimoto has said Japan’s agreement with the International Olympic Committee to host the 2020 games could be deferred until the winter. “The contract calls for the games to be [...]
Sadiq Khan eyes power to implement rent controls in campaign launch March 3, 2020 Sadiq Khan will launch his re-election campaign today by pledging to win powers to implement rent control in London if he is returned to the top job. Launching his campaign at a Hackney housing estate today, Khan will say that his victory would represent an “undeniable and irresistible” mandate to enforce rent controls – a [...]
TfL rolls out 20mph speed limit for central London March 2, 2020 A speed limit of 20mph has come into place today on all central London roads managed by Transport for London (TfL). The rollout of the new limit will apply to 8.9km of roads within the congestion charge zone, including some in the City of London. Some of the main roads affected inlcude Albert Embankent, Millbank [...]
Sir Keir Starmer in bullying row with his Constituency Labour Party March 1, 2020 Sir Keir Starmer has been accused of being complicit in the bullying of local party members in what has been described by some as a smear campaign against the Labour leadership frontrunner. A complaint has been made by the Holborn and St Pancras Constituency Labour Party (CLP) to party general secretary Jennie Formby, claiming Starmer’s [...]