Rail franchising model set to be scrapped by Boris Johnson October 13, 2019 The UK’s rail franchising system is set to be drastically overhauled as early as next year. Plans will be announced in tomorrow’s Queen’s Speech to scrap the current rail franchising model – where contracts are awarded to private companies to run commercial rail services – and replace it with a system based on “performance and [...]
UK weather: ‘Danger to life’ flood warnings in place as river levels rise in northern England November 8, 2019 Severe weather warnings are in place across northern England signifying a “danger to life” as a result of rising river levels. Parts of northern England and the midlands had a month’s worth of rain fall in 24 hours on Thursday and overnight. There are five severe warnings in place along the River Don in Doncaster [...]
London legaltech startup Apperio scores $10m from Draper Esprit August 28, 2018 London-based legaltech startup Apperio has secured a $10m (£7.5m) series A funding round led by Revolut-backer Draper Esprit. The round was supported by existing investors Notion Capital, IQ Capital and various individuals. Apperio’s tech provides in-house legal teams with a platform to view their end-to-end legal spend, including factors such as billed hours and legal budgets. It's scored [...]
Victoria line drivers prepare for November Tube strike November 14, 2019 The Victoria line will grind to a halt in two weeks’ time thanks to a 24-hour drivers strike. The National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) said today that Victoria line drivers would walk off the job from 10pm on Wednesday 27 November for 24 hours. Read more: London Underground: Rail union threatens [...]
Number of UK strikes up 45 per cent in last year December 9, 2019 The number of strikes in the UK rose 45 per cent last year, due in part to a growing number of protests over zero-hour contracts. According to data from law firm EMW, there were 96 cases of direct action across the public and private sectors in 2018/19, up from 66 in 2017/18. Read more: Rail [...]
Beleaguered Grayling set to announce major new review of rail services September 16, 2018 The government is set to launch a major review of the UK’s railways this week, following widespread criticism and a series of operational problems. Transport secretary Chris Grayling is expected to appoint Keith Williams, the former boss of British Airways, to undertake a systematic, 12-month review of the country’s rail services. Williams is the deputy [...]
Beleaguered Grayling set to announce major new review of rail services September 16, 2018 The government is set to launch a major review of the UK’s railways this week, following widespread criticism and a series of operational problems. Transport secretary Chris Grayling is expected to appoint Keith Williams, the former boss of British Airways, to undertake a systematic, 12-month review of the country’s rail services. Williams is the deputy [...]
RMT rail union to launch 24-hour strike this weekend over guard safety September 6, 2018 Commuters on South Western Railway (SWR) are to endure more strike action after the RMT rail union announced it will be holding further strikes this weekend and next weekend. A reduced service will be operating on most of the SWR network, which runs services out of London Waterloo and Clapham Junction to destinations such as Reading, Bristol and Exeter. Passengers [...]
Business groups warn South Western Railway strikes will hurt Christmas trade November 6, 2019 Business groups have slammed the rail union’s planned December South Western Railway strikes, predicting they will cause major disruption to Christmas trade. Drivers and train guards from South Western Railway (SWR) are planning on walking off the job for 27 days in December. Read more: RMT union announces 27 days of South Western Railway strikes [...]
London Euston reopens after bank holiday disruption – but will close again this weekend August 28, 2018 London Euston station will close again this weekend after its closure over the bank holiday weekend caused disruption for passengers up and down the country. The station will remain closed until this Sunday. It has been closed on certain weekends in August while rail workers carry out repairs on the North Wembley junction, one of the [...]