Uber: TfL’s new English test rules could cut the number of private hire drivers in London by 33,000 February 28, 2017 The number of private hire drivers in London could be cut by 33,000 if new rules requiring all them to complete a written English test are introduced, Uber has claimed Figures suggest as many as 28 per cent of minicab drivers could lose their licence by 2020 – while another 37,000 new applicants to be [...]
Future of Garden Bridge hanging in the balance, says London politician February 28, 2017 The future of the Garden Bridge is hanging in the balance, despite being cleared of financial irregularities, according to a London Assembly member. Vauxhall MP Kate Hoey had complained to the Charity Commission about the project, citing concerns about spending by the Garden Bridge trust. Earlier this year, the trustees admitted the project could cost [...]
The RMT is balloting London Underground workers for strike action over the “victimisation of Tube staff” February 27, 2017 More London Underground walkouts could be on the horizon as the RMT union has announced it's balloting station staff for strike action and action short of a strike. The RMT said it will be balloting station staff across its London Bridge group after one member was fired and two others disciplined for intervening to stop a "serious [...]
Uber takes on TfL in High Court over English language requirements February 26, 2017 The car-booking firm Uber joins forces with three of its drivers this week to launch a High Court challenge to English language tests for minicab drivers. Under the proposals, put forward by Transport for London (TfL), private-hire drivers without UK qualifications will have to take a two-hour test to demonstrate their English language skills. Yet [...]
Focus On Paddington: With Crossrail, a £775m glass cube and new homes, W2 is about to become one of London’s next property hotspots February 24, 2017 Believe it or not, Paddington, synonymous for so long with its eponymous cartoon bear and its fantastic transport links, is one of the most undervalued places in Prime Central London. Within walking distance to Hyde Park, Oxford Circus and smart neighbourhoods like Mayfair and Knightsbridge, it’s nevertheless not traditionally seen as a great residential location. [...]
Storm Doris: A man has been injured in an incident at Victoria station February 23, 2017 A man has been hospitalised after receiving a head injury when he was hit by falling debris caused by high winds at Victoria station. The London Ambulance Service was called at 2.59pm to reports of an incident on Victoria Street, and sent an ambulance crew, a single responder in a car, an incident response officer and [...]
Gale force winds from Storm Doris are set to cause travel disruption across Southern rail routes today February 23, 2017 A storm is brewing on Southern rail. An actual storm. No, it's not fed-up passengers staging an intervention, but a warning that Storm Doris is going to cause some significant troubles on the network today. Passengers have been advised to check before travelling today as gale force winds from Storm Doris have prompted Network Rail [...]
Serco shares plummet. But it’s all part of a long and winding road to recovery, says its boss February 22, 2017 Serco's share price plummeted over 18 per cent after the FTSE 250 firm posted a 14 per cent fall in profits for the year to December. But analysts warned investors in the supply services giant would likely take flight owing to a cut to forecast earnings in 2018 and an increased tax bill. The figures Total revenue fell [...]
City chaos on the cards: Here’s what you need to know about today’s Tube strike February 22, 2017 Yes, City workers, it is time to brace yourselves, after the RMT union announced a fresh walkout which will cause heavy travel disruption in the capital throughout today. Here's what you need to know about the action… Read more: Every route from Waterloo station to Bank, ranked When will the strike take place? Drivers walked out [...]
Here’s everything you’ll need to avoid Tube troubles during today’s Central line strike February 22, 2017 You may have heard there's going to be a Tube strike tonight. It's going ahead from 9pm tonight until 9pm tomorrow, Wednesday 22 February and is set to cause significant disruption to the Central and Waterloo & City Lines (with likely knock-on effects elsewhere too). So to prepare for the trouble, here's everything you'll need [...]