Heathrow exec warns of potential budget bust – and likens expansion to Tottenham Hotspur stadium September 12, 2019 A Heathrow director has likened the airport’s £14bn expansion plan to Tottenham Hotspur’s new football stadium, which ran massively over budget. Emma Gilthorpe, Heathrow’s executive director for expansion, said major infrastructure projects were “very challenging to deliver” and that details were “pinned down” far too early in the process. Read more: ‘Massive gravy train: British [...]
The ‘Boris Bridge’? PM puts price tag on ‘very good’ idea September 12, 2019 Boris Johnson has told a group of schoolchildren about his “very good” idea for a bridge between Northern Ireland and Scotland. Speaking to children during his visit to the ship NLV Pharos on the Thames, the Prime Minister said he had recently discussed the possibility of constructing a bridge over the Irish Sea. He said: [...]
Sadiq Khan under fire for calling Shaun Bailey ‘frit’ in heated City Hall exchange September 12, 2019 Sadiq Khan and Shaun Bailey have traded fresh blows at City Hall this morning, with the mayor calling his Conservative challenger “frit,” and “a wuss”. Khan came under fire from the Conservative Assembly Member for being childish during the monthly Mayor’s Question Time, after implying he was too scared to ask him questions. Read more: [...]
Heidi Alexander: It would add ‘insult to injury’ if HS2 skips Euston September 12, 2019 It would add ‘insult to injury’ if High Speed Two (HS2) did not stop at Euston, London’s deputy mayor for transport has said. Read more: Businesses react as HS2’s price tag balloons to £88bn Former shadow cabinet minister Heidi Alexander said communities in London had already experienced “considerable disruption” around Euston, where HS2 is due [...]
Raising the roof: Bank Tube station upgrade reaches major milestone September 12, 2019 The upgrade project at Bank Tube station reached a major milestone this week as work was completed on the roof of the new entrance on Cannon Street. Read more: Tube drivers threaten disruption on Jubilee, Central, Northern and Victoria lines over noise levels Transport for London (TfL) said workers had “topped out” the new roof, [...]
Tube drivers threaten disruption on Jubilee, Central, Northern and Victoria lines over noise levels September 11, 2019 Tube drivers have threatened disruption on four London Underground lines after voting overwhelmingly in favour of industrial action in a dispute over noise levels. Drivers who are members of the RMT rail union voted by over 95 per cent in favour of industrial action in a ballot covering the Jubilee, Central, Northern and Victoria Lines [...]
Lords approved HS2 Birmingham-Crewe extension before parliament shutdown September 10, 2019 The House of Lords last night approved the High Speed Two (HS2) extension from Birmingham to Crewe before parliament was suspended for five weeks. The controversial railway, which will link London to the north in stages, is currently subject to an independent review chaired by former HS2 chair Douglas Oakervee and critic Lord Berkeley, which [...]
The Secret River review: Edinburgh Festival hit a triumph at the National Theatre September 10, 2019 A smash at the Edinburgh Festival, The Secret River has transferred to the National Theatre. Slow-paced, thoughtful and direct, it demonstrates a basic truth; that the process of colonisation is inherently violent. Will Thornhill was living in Dickensian poverty in early 19th century London; forced into thievery, and – like Magwitch – transported to New [...]
Tube delays: Disruption strikes Circle, Hammersmith & City and Metropolitan Lines September 10, 2019 Severe delays are affecting three London Underground lines today as commuters face a difficult journey into work. Read more: Northern Line suspension causes day of misery for Tube commuters The Circle Line, Hammersmith & City Line and the Metropolitan Line all suffered disruption in this morning’s rush hour as Transport for London (TfL) advised commuters [...]
Boris Johnson hatches plan to devolve rail power to the north September 8, 2019 Boris Johnson is preparing to hand leaders in the north responsibility for train services as part of a big industry shakeup. Two struggling rail franchises, Northern and the Transpennine Express, are to be devolved to a new body that would be similar to Transport for London in the capital. Read more: Southeastern among franchises placed [...]