London mayor Sadiq Khan has no plans to follow in Paris’ footsteps and trial free public transport days to curb air pollution March 17, 2017 London mayor Sadiq Khan has said he has "no plans" to trial free public transport days in a bid to cut air pollution, saying the move would cost Transport for London (TfL) £12m in lost revenue. Over in Paris, authorities announced a few days in December where people could use public transport for free after a [...]
Donald Tusk accuses UK of making threats over “no deal” Brexit March 15, 2017 European Council president Donald Tusk has hit out over "increasing threats" from the UK over the willingness to quit the EU without agreeing new trade terms. Prime Minister Theresa May has repeatedly stated that "no deal is better than a bad deal" in order to stress her willingness to walk away from Brexit talks. But speaking in [...]
Ditching First Class and extending high-speed services: Transport secretary Chris Grayling unveils plans to improve Southeastern March 14, 2017 First Class could be ditched and high-speed services extended in new plans unveiled by the government to improve London's commuter trains. The Department for Transport has proposed substantial changes in its proposals for the next Southeastern franchise, currently one of the nation's worst performing rail services. Read more: Auto delay repay? No way, says the company [...]
London mayor Sadiq Khan says hard Brexit won’t benefit Europe as banks would move to New York, Hong Kong and Singapore March 14, 2017 Sadiq Khan has warned his European counterparts that a hard Brexit wouldn't be beneficial to them, as banks would move to New York and Hong Kong, rather than Paris and Frankfurt. "The point I make to my colleagues across Europe is don't assume so-called 'hard Brexit' benefits you," he said, giving evidence to parliament's Brexit select committee on the UK's negotiating [...]
Sadiq Khan calls on Theresa May to prioritise a Brexit interim deal March 13, 2017 London mayor Sadiq Khan has warned Prime Minister Theresa May to make an interim Brexit deal one of her top priorities upon opening talks with the EU. The government's determination to close Brexit negotiations within two years risks unnecessary harm to both businesses and the wider economy, Khan said. In a formal response to the [...]
Olympic Stadium investigation: Beancounters net fees, findings to be made public this summer March 13, 2017 The mid-tier accountancy firm undertaking the forensic investigation into the London Stadium overspend will net at least £140,000, according to documents published by City Hall. Moore Stephens was appointed in February to perform a review of how the cost to transform the Olympic Stadium into the multi-use London Stadium increased from an original budget of £115m to £323m. The firm plans to deliver [...]
Downing Street says a new Scottish referendum would create uncertainty “at the worst possible time” March 13, 2017 Downing Street has hit out at Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon after the Holyrood politician revealed she would next week kick off her bid for a second independence referendum. Sturgeon today said she had hit a "brick wall of intransigence" in seeking to present Scotland's Brexit fears to Westminster, and promised to seek a vote between Autumn [...]
London Assembly members have sided with Uber over English language tests and want the mayor Sadiq Khan to drop written plans March 9, 2017 London Assembly members have sided with Uber in the battle over English language tests, despite Transport for London triumphing in court last week. The majority of members have backed a motion calling on the mayor Sadiq Khan to ditch the requirements for written tests for Uber and other minicab drivers due to the disproportionate and unfair [...]
London mayor Sadiq Khan launches London’s first low emission bus zone in Putney High Street with 11 more to come March 9, 2017 Sadiq Khan has launched the capital's first low emission bus zone in one of the most polluted areas of London: Putney High Street. The clean bus zone runs 145 buses on seven scheduled routes and will now be serviced by cleaner buses in a drive to slash nitrogen oxide emissions. Putney High Street exceeded hourly [...]
London mayor Sadiq Khan welcomes progress made on devolution to London in the Budget March 8, 2017 Chancellor Philip Hammond delivered a historic devolution agreement for Londoners today to "protect jobs and investment in the aftermath of Brexit". The devolution agreement focussed on infrastructure projects to help London mayor Sadiq Khan upgrade the capital's road, rail and Underground networks and boost its economy. It also confirmed the devolution of new powers to allow the mayor [...]