London Chamber of Commerce and Industry releases its London mayor election manifesto February 11, 2020 The next mayor of London should prioritise digital infrastructure and immigration reform to boost economic growth post-Brexit, according to the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI). The advocacy group’s manifesto for the London mayoral election was released today, detailing a a wish list of policies for the victor of May’s poll to implement. Among [...]
HS2: Businesses react to Boris Johnson’s green light for controversial rail project February 11, 2020 Business groups have welcomed the government’s decision to proceed with the controversial HS2 rail line. The Prime Minister’s expected announcement comes after months of debate over whether the scheme should go ahead. This follows a report that the project could cost over £100bn, three times what was originally forecast. BCC: ‘Great news for business’ Director [...]
Boris Johnson to appoint minister to oversee HS2 as he gives rail link green light February 11, 2020 Boris Johnson has given the go-ahead for the controversial HS2 rail link between London and Birmingham, announcing he will appoint a minister to oversee the project, as he damned the current management. The Prime Minister this afternoon confirmed the government was backing HS2, which is now estimated to cost more than £100bn by completion. Read [...]
Boris Johnson to announce £5bn bus service improvement plan February 10, 2020 Boris Johnson is tomorrow expected to announce £5bn of funding to improve local bus services across the country. The Prime Minister will outline a plan to transform the bus network and cycle links with simpler fares, new vehicles, improved routes and higher frequencies. The five-year funding package will increase the number of services – particularly [...]
Storm Ciara latest: Man dies after tree hits car February 10, 2020 Please update this page manually as we update it with the biggest Storm Ciara news. 3:40pm: 98 per cent of 413,000 homes have power restored UK Power Networks have announced that they have reconnected 98 per cent of the 413,000 homes that were without power due to the impact of Storm Ciara. It added that [...]
TfL takes control of Woolwich Ferry after ‘unacceptable’ delays February 10, 2020 The Woolwich Ferry will be brought back under Transport for London (TfL) control after being plagued by severe delays under the current contractor. Mayor of London Sadiq Khan announced today that the service would be brought back into City Hall ownership at the end of the year, after deciding not to renew the contract of [...]
Hola, Ola: Meet the latest app to fight for Uber’s London crown February 10, 2020 Transport for London’s (TfL) decision not to renew Uber’s operating licence late last year split commuters down the middle, but the controversial ride-hailing app’s rivals have seized the opportunity to stake their claim to the capital. Uber’s effective ban came over concerns it had not done enough to protect Londoners after TfL identified a “pattern [...]
How e-scooters, self-driving cars, and flying taxis will shape the future of your commute February 10, 2020 An air of tranquility hangs about Stratford’s electric scooter riders. Their bodies are still, poised, as they glide by on this crisp February morning. I try to copy them and end up skidding along, struggling to figure out how to position my feet — but after a couple of wobbles I’m gliding too. As I [...]
Boris Johnson and Sajid Javid weighing up a mansion tax February 9, 2020 Number 10 is considering plans to implement a mansion tax in next month’s budget to help pay for spending increases. Plans to hit wealthy homeowners with the tax have been discussed at the Treasury and Number 10 multiple times, according to the Sunday Telegraph. Read more: Sajid Javid weighing up tax raid on high earners [...]
Government defends handling of SWR’s future after union says passengers are left ‘in limbo’ February 5, 2020 The Department for Transport (DfT) has denied claims by a major union that it has left passengers and staff “in limbo.” The RMT union has demanded the government provide an update on talks to secure the future of the troubled South Western Railway (SWR). However, the government has defended its handling of the process. “We [...]