Conservative party conference 2015: Heathrow or Gatwick expansion? Government ministers promise airports decision by Christmas October 5, 2015 Government ministers are doubling down on their commitment to respond by the end of the year to the Airports Commission's recommendation for a third runway at Heathrow. Speaking today at the Conservative party conference in Manchester, transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin said he did not "hide the challenge" of choosing whether to back or reject the commission's [...]
Uber and Transport for London head for high court in taximeter legal battle October 5, 2015 Uber and Transport for London face another showdown when they pull up at the high court this week, to settle a long-running dispute over whether the smartphone app breaks the law. TfL last week revealed proposals for fresh laws which would curb Uber in London. Now, the UK courts will decide on the legality of [...]
DLR strike: RMT to vote on action over working practices October 5, 2015 DLR workers could go on strike after the RMT union said it will ballot around 700 members over working practices. The union claims that Keolis Amey Docklands (KAD) which operates the line is "bulldozing" new conditions, however, the company said it was "unnecessary". “Our members on DLR are furious at the way that Keolis Amey [...]
Signal failures at Barbican and Tufnell Park causing delays on Northern, Circle, Hammersmith & City and Metropolitan Lines October 5, 2015 Commuters across London are facing travel woes already this morning, with a signal failure at Barbican causing delays on the Circle, Metropolitan and Hammersmith & City Line. Severe delays have been reported on all three lines between Baker Street and Aldgate as Transport for London deals with the issue. There are minor delays [...]
The proto-Corbyn years of the 1970s were awful: We must fight what remains of them October 4, 2015 During the late 1990s and early 2000s, think tanks such as the IEA had a difficult time. We were told that the argument for the market economy had been won. A so-called neo-liberal hegemony had been created, and even a Labour government had accepted free markets. Meanwhile, water was being poured into the foundations [...]
Supermoon, Uber’s drama and Jeremy Corbyn’s 80s flashback: Here’s what got us talking this week October 2, 2015 It was the week in which everyone saw red – from water on the red planet to the rare super-blood moon to a sudden surge in the popularity of Donald Trump Halloween wigs. And, of course, the Labour Party conference. In fact, the only one not wearing rose-coloured glasses was Burger King, which unveiled a [...]
Uber wars: We must fight for the transport service London deserves October 2, 2015 We are at a critical juncture of London’s transport future. Debate has raged over TfL’s recent consultation to consider a set of rules to improve the private hire industry. This debate will continue in the coming weeks and months. It is important though that a debate has many voices and, currently, we are [...]
Uber’s fightback: Petition against Transport for London’s private hire vehicle proposals passes 125k October 2, 2015 Uber's fightback against draconian new laws that would limit the use of taxi ordering apps in the capital has attracted more than 125,000 supporters in the days since the campaign was launched. Thousands of people have signed a petition of support set up by Uber late on Tuesday evening, responding to TfL's proposals to impose [...]
Chaos on Tube and train network as body found on line near Waterloo East and signal failures cause overcrowding at Bank and London Bridge October 2, 2015 Southeastern was forced to cancel several services into south London this morning after a body was found on the line. The body was found near Waterloo East, and police are now investigating. A spokeswoman for the train operator was unable to give any further details, although she said Southeastern was hoping to have all [...]
Conservatives name Zac Goldsmith as candidate for London Mayoral Election 2016 October 2, 2015 The Conservatives have chosen their man for next year's London mayoral race: Zac Goldsmith, who was widely expected to win the online primary. In a statement this morning, the Conservative party said Goldsmith received 70 per cent of the online vote – way above runner-up Syed Kamall, who clinched 16 per cent. The decision will [...]