Train giant Govia awarded extension to Southeastern franchise June 13, 2019 Train giant Govia has been awarded an extension to the Southeastern franchise until November, giving the government more time to consider who the new winner will be. The Southeastern franchise, which serves routes in and out of London, Kent and East Sussex, was due to expire on June 22, but will now continue under current [...]
Can Amazon really be a climate change champion? June 12, 2019 Amazon is not a company normally associated with meaningful strides towards a low carbon future. Although e-commerce is typically better for the environment than heavily air-conditioned, high street stores, speedy deliveries carry a high carbon cost. Any Amazon shopper may feel a pang of guilt – as I have – at using the one day delivery [...]
Virgin launches bid to stay in UK railways with plans for open-access service June 11, 2019 Virgin Trains will attempt to stay in Britain’s railways by applying for an open access service on the West Coast mainline to get around the government’s controversial snub of its franchise bid two months ago. Virgin has applied with Stagecoach, French state-owned rail company SNCF and rolling stock company Alstom to run an hourly service [...]
Taxify relaunches in London under Bolt branding in challenge to Uber June 11, 2019 The European ride-hailing firm formerly known as Taxify is today relaunching its services in London, two years on from being forced to halt rides in the capital. The firm, which first entered the UK market in 2017 via the purchase of an existing private hire business, had its third-party licence suspended by Transport for London [...]
HS2 bulldozes BHS warehouse to make way for new Euston station June 10, 2019 High Speed Two has released images of its progress at Euston station, where it has demolished BHS’ flagship warehouse. Euston station marks the starting point of the £56bn railway, which will connect London to Birmingham in the first phase, and the West Midlands to Leeds and Manchester in the second. Read more: Transport giants unveil [...]
Crossrail contractors could ask for more money to meet opening deadline, EY warns June 10, 2019 Crossrail’s contractors are likely to demand more money if they are rushed towards the new 2019/2020 opening date, auditor EY has warned. The big four auditor has warned Transport for London (TfL) that such an outcome could increase pressure on the transport body, which is already battling the costs of the Crossrail delay. Read more: [...]
By working together, we can clean up London’s air quality and stop pollution June 10, 2019 With state visits and political leadership battles dominating the news, it’s unsurprising that the environment – particularly air quality – isn’t at the top of the agenda. But Londoners are determined to see a major clean-up of the capital’s air, and we can’t afford to take our foot off the pedal. Much of central London [...]
‘Is this serious?’ Boris Johnson’s £39bn threat gives City the jitters June 10, 2019 Boris Johnson’s threat to withhold the UK’s £39bn Brexit divorce bill raised eyebrows in the City yesterday and provoked a strong reaction from across the Channel. The former mayor of London vowed to hold onto the cash to force the EU to give Britain a better withdrawal deal, as part of his pitch to become [...]
Advertisers slam government over junk food ad ban proposals June 9, 2019 Advertisers have launched a scathing attack on the government’s plans to ramp up restrictions on junk food advertising, describing them as “totally disproportionate” and lacking in evidence. In submissions to a government consultation, seen exclusively by City A.M., industry bodies Isba and the Advertising Association (AA) said the proposals would harm advertisers and consumers but [...]
First Group ‘may sue government’ if no deal on South Western Railway franchise contract June 9, 2019 First Group is open to suing the government if the two cannot agree terms on its South Western Railway franchise. Responding to reports the company could bring legal action, a spokesperson said any suggestions of this were “purely hypothetical”. First Group’s new boss Matthew Gregory had told the Sunday Times if the two sides could [...]