Elizabeth line is tangibly close to completion, TfL says February 2, 2022 The completion of Crossrail’s Elizabeth line is ‘tangibly close’, according to Transport for London’s commissioner Andy Byford. “It really is that close,” Byford said this morning during a TfL board meeting. “We have really put huge effort into getting the trials off [to a start]. The commissioner added that the quick turnaround of stations was [...]
Londoners spend up to 72 per cent of their entire income on simply getting by in the capital February 2, 2022 London renters are forking out up to 72 per cent of their monthly household income simply to get by in the capital’s rental market. Nationwide, that figure is even higher, up to 77 per cent. The average UK rental household pays £808 per month in rent, accounting for 26 per cent of total monthly household [...]
District and Piccadilly lines impacted and dozens evacuated: 70 firefighters tackling blaze near Acton Town tube station February 2, 2022 About 70 firefighters are tackling a blaze at a car garage close to a Tube station in London. Ten fire engines were called to the large fire on Bollo Lane, Acton, on Tuesday evening, London Fire Brigade (LFB) said. Around 35 people were evacuated from the area as a precaution. LFB said there were a [...]
Levelling up: UK aims to create ‘global city’ in every part of country by 2030 February 2, 2022 The government will offer every English region the chance to have a “London-style mayor” in a bid to create a “globally competitive city” in every part of the UK by 2030, a landmark paper into Boris Johnson’s levelling up policy today revealed. Johnson’s trademark policy will see the government commit to increase public research and [...]
Motorists to pay the price of TfL’s £1.5bn funding crisis February 1, 2022 Motorists could pay the ultimate price of Transport for London’s (TfL) funding crisis, which is expected to reach £1.4bn by 2024-2025. According to documents shared today, TfL expects to receive up to £300m per year from a series of policies London mayor Sadiq Khan is deciding upon, including the extension of the ultra low emission [...]
Pret sandwich sales in the Square Mile surge as City workers return to desks February 1, 2022 Two in three City workers were back at their desks last week, as Pret A Manger coffee and sandwich sales edge closer to pre-pandemic levels. According to the latest data from Bloomberg’s Pret Index, the coffee chain’s sales transactions hit 68 per cent of pre-Covid levels in the City and Canary Wharf. This marks the [...]
Londoners crazy about e-scooters as TfL trial exceeds half a million trips February 1, 2022 The e-scooter trial launched by Transport for London alongside micromobility operators Lime, TIER and Dott has exceeded more than half a million trips. According to data, since the trial began in early June 180,000 people have made 585,000 trips, for a total of 300 trips per person. October was crowned the busiest month as people [...]
E-scooter firm Dott raises $70m in series B funding extension February 1, 2022 Micromobility firm Dott has raised $70m in an extension to its series B funding, after it was backed by Edinburgh-based investment firm Abrdn and Belgian holding Sofina. Following today’s cash injection, Dott’s total series B funding now stands at over $150m, in a mix of equity and asset-backed debt, including $85m that was announced last [...]
Builders warn of ‘wasted opportunity’ with government brownfield funding January 31, 2022 Builders have warned that government plans to fund brownfield projects run the risk of being “more grandstanding and another wasted opportunity”. Under the government’s Levelling Up agenda, derelict sites in towns and city centres are to be used for new homes. Some 20 areas, including Wolverhampton and Sheffield, will be prioritised within a new £1.5bn [...]
Lib Dems lambast ‘miserable Monday’ commute following reports of railway cuts January 31, 2022 The Lib Dems have criticised the reduction in railway services across London, following reports that the UK Government will make the cuts permanent. “Today’s miserable Monday morning commute will be the new normal if London’s train timetable isn’t restored,” Lib Dem transport spokesperson and Richmond Park MP Sarah Olney said. “The cuts in services are [...]