Thameslink owner Go-Ahead Group’s profits climb despite London Midland franchise loss September 6, 2018 Govia Thameslink owner Go-Ahead Group reported higher profits this morning despite losing a franchise and dealing with timetable chaos. Shares in the company jumped 9.4 per cent in early trading as management signalled that performance for next year would be "robust". The figures Revenue for the year to 30 June fell 0.6 per cent to [...]
Mayor backs London tech startups for City innovation September 5, 2018 Meet the fourteen startups that made the mayor of London's shortlist to tackle the capital's key challenges across seven sectors. Launched in June as part of London's smart city initiative, Sadiq Khan's Civic Innovation Challenge will later award seven of these startups – one for each challenge – a grant of £15,000 to test their ideas [...]
London needs a new mayor to get the transport show back on the road September 4, 2018 You may remember the old joke about the family who, hopelessly lost in the middle of nowhere, wind down their car window to ask for directions, only to be told “I wouldn’t start from here if I were you”. In the third year of Sadiq Khan’s mayoralty, transport in London isn’t quite that bad, but [...]
Some like it yacht: The Abarth 695C Rivale is a hot hatch inspired by a luxury boat September 3, 2018 The original Fiat 500 was Italy’s answer to the Mini, Citroen 2CV or Volkswagen Beetle: a ‘people’s car’ that mobilised the masses. In recent times, the practical Panda has answered this need for back-to-basics transport, while the 500, like many of the London streets it inhabits, has become gentrified. Today, it’s more premium than proletarian. [...]
Property bosses vent frustration in wake of Crossrail delays September 3, 2018 Senior property executives expressed anger and frustration today at the delay in the opening of Crossrail, as it emerged the postponement of the new line could result in substantial house price falls along its route. Emoov research carried out for City A.M. suggests property values could sink as much as £10,000 in the short-term, with [...]
HS2 hit by 12-month delay in further blow to controversial £56bn project September 3, 2018 The £56bn HS2 project linking London to the north has been dealt a further blow after the government admitted it would be subject to a 12-month delay in parliament. Phase 2b of the project, which links Birmingham to Leeds and Crewe to Wigan and Manchester, will be delayed because the bill enabling the line to be [...]
Taxpayers’ Alliance launches competition to find HS2 replacement September 3, 2018 Armchair transport ministers have been given their chance to shine by a new competition to devise an alternative to HS2, the planned high-speed railway. Pressure group the Taxpayers’ Alliance (TPA), which advocates cutting public spending, has put out a call for ideas on how to spend the £50bn-plus designated for the planned route linking London, [...]
Pullman Liverpool: A warm welcome to Merseyside September 3, 2018 Pullman knows a hotel is far more than somewhere to eat and sleep. It’s an opportunity to feel welcome in a new location, a place guests can be at their very best, for work and play. Pullman Hotels & Resorts offer a chance to recharge and explore. Focus and socialise. Because we know life [...]
Crossrail’s delay sounds depressingly familiar September 3, 2018 With a plethora of talented engineers at our disposal and a rich history of leading the world in pioneering rail projects, it is depressing to witness Britain’s clumsy approach to improving the country’s transport links. Commuter services into the City still woefully under-serve the UK’s economic engine. Meanwhile, news has broken that Crossrail has succumbed [...]
No end in sight for Crossrail fiasco as budget overshoot could surpass £1bn September 2, 2018 Crossrail's budget overshoot could surpass £1bn as the flagship project works towards a new 2019 deadline. Last week it was confirmed that the £15.4bn Elizabeth Line, which stretches from Reading and Heathrow in the west to Shenfield and Abbey Wood in the east, has been delayed by almost a year over safety issues and will now [...]