No trace of coronavirus on London Tube or buses, study finds February 19, 2021 No traces of coronavirus have been found in London’s Tubes, buses and stations, according to a wide-ranging new study. Experts from Imperial College London have been taking air and surface samples from journeys on London’s transport network each month since October. Scientists mimicked a typical commuter journey on London’s bus and Tube network, and repeated [...]
Sadiq Khan seeks permission to appeal ‘unlawful’ Streetspace ruling February 10, 2021 Sadiq Khan has today submitted an application to appeal against a High Court ruling that deemed his “Streetspace” plan illegal. Last month the court ruled that Khan had “taken advantage” of the pandemic to push through “radical changes” to London’s streets. Justice Lang said that the plan, which banned taxis from using bus lanes in [...]
London leaders urge government to let TfL keep £500m in vehicle duty ahead of new bailout talks February 10, 2021 The leaders of the London Assembly’s political parties have come together to urge transport secretary Grant Shapps to allow the capital to keep the £500m it raises in Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) every year. Led by Mayor Sadiq Khan, the leaders have written to the government asking that London receive its “fair share” of the [...]
Londoners could face tougher face mask rules in transport crackdown February 5, 2021 Tube and bus passengers in London could be made to wear higher-grade face masks to help combat new mutant strains of Covid-19. Mayor Sadiq Khan and Transport for London have both launched reviews of current guidance amid concerns about the rapid spread of the so-called Kent strain across the UK. Face coverings have been mandatory [...]
Grant Shapps: Sadiq Khan cannot ‘raid national budget’ to fix TfL finances February 3, 2021 Grant Shapps has this morning said that Sadiq Khan cannot “just raid the national budget” to fix Transport for London’s ailing finances. Speaking to the Transport Select Committee, the transport secretary said that it would not be fair on taxpayers to fund services and concessions that were not available outside of London. The comments raise [...]
Revealed: The London bus drivers ‘abandoned’ to the pandemic February 2, 2021 London bus drivers have told City A.M. they were “abandoned” by their employers and unions alike and forced to fend for themselves as the coronavirus pandemic swept across the UK. Speaking on condition of anonymity, a number of drivers revealed to City A.M. the personal risks to which they have been exposed while keeping essential [...]
Tunnel vision? Why the approved Thames crossing at Silvertown could be in doubt January 30, 2021 London's new road tunnel at Silvertown was years in the making and given the go-ahead by Sadiq Khan in 2019, but ever since then opposition to the eastern crossing has grown.
Red Light: Why Streetscape decision is a speed bump to Mayor’s ambition January 28, 2021 As any local politician will tell you, how citizens get around is a fiercely important issue which can rumble for years without bursting into a crisis. For the mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, however, that crisis has come, and low-level rumblings must now be addressed as a strategic problem. Last year, as lockdown and other [...]
Electric bikes are bucking the work from home trend – and are here to stay January 28, 2021 The global pandemic has transformed the way people travel for work – if they are going into the office at all – and this transformation is here to stay. In most circumstances, this means fewer miles driven, vacant public transport networks, and unfilled flights. Yet, one means of transportation is bucking this trend – the [...]
Long-term funding deal for TfL can ‘fuel’ UK recovery, says network boss January 26, 2021 Transport for London’s (TfL) commissioner this morning said that a long-term funding package for the beleaguered transport network could help fuel the UK’s post-Covid recovery. At the moment, the operator is currently being propped up by the second of two six-month bailouts worth a combined £3.3bn from the government. But come 31 March, TfL will [...]