Eastern City BID December 18, 2024 The Eastern City Business Improvement District (BID) enhances London’s iconic areas like Aldgate, Bank, Monument, and Liverpool Street by improving public spaces, supporting businesses, hosting events, and promoting arts and culture. Funded by a levy on local businesses, the BID reinvests in local projects, fostering a vibrant environment for work and leisure. Established in 2022, [...]
Build a new town in London December 18, 2024 The government has committed to building new towns with at least 10,000 homes but where should they go? London is the obvious place, says Jonathan Seager If you were asked to picture a new town in England, what comes to mind? Some of the better-known settlements established in the mid-20th century may well feature – [...]
HS2 chair to step down as cost swells to £66bn December 17, 2024 The chair of the company behind High Speed Two (HS2) is to stop down next year, it has been announced. Sir Jon Thompson has served on the board of HS2 Ltd for almost four years after first joining as a non-executive director in April 2021. He was appointed as the company’s chair in February 2023 [...]
Ministers push back decision on Luton Airport expansion for third time December 17, 2024 Luton Airport wants to increase passenger capacity from 18m to 32m per year through a £2.4bn expansion project.
Metro mayors to control railways and housing in ‘landmark’ devolution plans December 16, 2024 Mayors of large cities and regions across England will soon be able to take control of local infrastructure and skills projects under a new devolution bill, which was introduced in Parliament today. The English Devolution White Paper will give metro mayors – directly elected regional leaders who chair combined authorities – significant new powers in [...]
Best cars of 2024 – From the new Aston Martin Vantage to the McLaren Artura Spider December 13, 2024 The car industry is facing strong headwinds, from import tariffs to mandated EV sales targets. Despite it all, though, 2024 has produced some genuinely exciting new cars, many of which we were lucky enough to drive. This isn’t a round-up of the ‘best’ cars of the year; many of the vehicles listed here are totally [...]
1 Undershaft: City approves Square Mile’s tallest tower December 13, 2024 The City of London has approved the planning application of 1 Undershaft, which upon completion, will be the tallest tower in the City while matching the Shard
Orlando outside of Disney World: The Sunshine State’s other side December 12, 2024 I’m not a driver. It’s just never appealed to me and I have no interest in cars. Apart from getting behind the wheel for one or two lessons, I’ve remained a perpetual passenger for twenty years. Yet, as my friend drove us along the vast highways out of Orlando International, country music on the radio, [...]
Public Realm Vision December 11, 2024 An ambitious and inspirational vision for the future of public spaces in the Square Mile’s tall building cluster has been unveiled this month. The new Public Realm Vision, published by the Eastern City Business Improvement District (EC BID) following 10 months of collaborative working, seeks to support the City of London Corporation on plans already [...]
HS2: Rail minister reveals new plans for Euston terminus December 11, 2024 Lord Peter Hendy, the rail minister, appeared in front of the Commons' transport committee on Wednesday alongside senior officials from the DfT.