Crossrail under renewed scrutiny as further delays loom June 17, 2021 London politicians have today called for more transparency over the progress of the Crossrail line after a new report into the project suggested further delays could be “difficult to avoid”. The Elizabeth line, which is now scheduled to open in the first half of 2022, has recently begun the trial running of services. But the [...]
One-third of Tube staff off sick as Underground trains still packed March 25, 2020 Mayor Sadiq Khan has urged more Londoners to stay at home today amid the coronavirus lockdown as he repeated his call for the government to ban construction work in the capital. Khan warned London’s Tube and bus transport network is approaching breaking point, with almost a third of Transport for London (TfL) workers off sick [...]
First Group reports half-year loss as travel restrictions continue December 10, 2020 Bus operator First Group has reported a half-year loss after lockdown restrictions placed pressure on its rail and bus divisions. First Group said adjusted pretax loss was £73.3m for the six months ending 30 Deptember, down from a profit of £19.9m a year ago. Revenue fell 23.8 per cnet to £3.1bn in the period after [...]
Mayor of London election: Where do the major candidates stand on housing? May 4, 2021 With the 6 May mayor of London election now just weeks away, City A.M. is producing a four-piece series on where the four leading candidates stand on different issues. Today, we look at the housing policies of the candidates from Labour, the Conservatives, the Green Party and the Liberal Democrats. Sadiq Khan The most high [...]
UK government kick starts £2bn transport spending spree May 14, 2020 The government has begun a £2bn spending spree on the UK’s transport infrastructure, according to transport secretary Grant Shapps. Shapps said at today’s press briefing that the government had begun a slew of road and rail projects, which were first announced in the Conservatives’ 2019 election manifesto. Shapps said the government was in the process [...]
Scrap franchise system and let TfL control London commuter routes, says rail industry April 29, 2019 The rail franchise system should be scrapped and responsibility for commuter routes handed from central government to local authorities such as Transport for London (TfL), the rail industry has said. The Rail Delivery Group (RDG), which represents the industry, has today unveiled its proposals for the Williams rail review, which transport secretary Chris Grayling called last [...]
London mayor candidate: Labour voters will go Green over Starmer anger April 8, 2021 Traditional Labour voters will back the Green Party in upcoming London local elections to send a message to Sir Keir Starmer, according to Green candidate Sian Berry. Berry told City A.M. that “a lot of people are frustrated with the Labour party” under Starmer and that there is “a real chance to bring people over [...]
Mayor of London election: Sadiq Khan pledges to create 170,000 green jobs April 6, 2021 Sadiq Khan has pledged to create 170,000 new green jobs if re-elected as mayor as he today launched his manifesto for the mayor of London election. Khan said during a speech at Bloomberg that he would create a new green jobs skills academy that would “support green jobs that are diverse, sustainable and well paid”. [...]
Air pollution is an invisible killer and a dangerous reality for Londoners March 15, 2021 While Covid-19 and Brexit have continued to dominate national headlines, there’s another another critical issue affecting the lives of every Londoner, which hasn’t been front and centre. Here in the City we’ve started three exciting schemes to help rid the capital of toxic air. In partnership with Camden Council, and funded by TfL through the [...]
Coronavirus: Government U-turns on face mask advice May 11, 2020 People in England have been told to wear face masks on public transport and in some shops after the government reversed its decision on personal protective equipment (PPE). In a 51-page document published this afternoon, the government said face coverings should be worn in situations where social distancing is not always possible. According to the [...]