Watchdog announces investigation into Crossrail delay November 23, 2018 The National Audit Office (NAO) is set to investigate Crossrail after it was revealed that London’s high profile transport project will be delayed by almost a year, amid rising costs. “Our investigation will examine the causes of the cost increases and schedule delays, the terms of the additional funding, and the governance and oversight of [...]
Sadiq Khan raises ‘serious concerns’ over Crossrail’s transparency and governance in letter to spending watchdog November 21, 2018 London mayor Sadiq Khan has said he has "serious concerns" about the "transparency and effectiveness of Crossrail's governance" following the fallout from the delay to the £15.4bn project. In a letter to the National Audit Office (NAO), seen by City A.M., Khan said that while joint sponsors Transport for London (TfL) and the Department for Transport (DfT) [...]
London City Airport appoints former Crossrail boss Rob Holden as new chairman November 19, 2018 London City Airport has chosen former Crossrail boss Rob Holden as its new chair following the departure of Terry Morgan for HS2. Holden, who has held senior positions on major projects such as HS1, Eurostar and as the former chief executive of Crossrail, will take up his post immediately to oversee the airport's £500m expansion programme. London's most [...]
TfL bosses stopped claiming expenses during the summer as the Elizabeth Line hit the rocks November 15, 2018 Transport for London (TfL) bosses did not claim any expenses over the summer while it was embroiled in troubles regarding the £15.4bn Elizabeth Line. From July to September, TfL bosses claimed no expenses for work-related activities such as travel costs, dinners and work mobile phones for the first time since 2013, the first year for which data is available. In 2013, [...]
New Crossrail boss to be paid £45,000 more than predecessor Simon Wright amid ongoing project troubles November 14, 2018 Incoming Crossrail boss Mark Wild is set to earn £415,000 – a £45,000 increase on the earnings of his predecessor, Simon Wright. Wild, the current managing director of the London Underground, will retain his Transport for London (TfL) salary of £285,000 on top a non-consolidated allowance of £130,000 for his role as Crossrail CEO. He [...]
TfL to lose £200m from Crossrail delay next year November 14, 2018 The delay to Crossrail will cost Transport for London (TfL) nearly £200m in lost passenger fares and advertising revenue next year, the London Assembly has found. Cash-strapped TfL, which is facing a £1bn operational deficit this year, was relying on the £15.4bn Elizabeth Line to shore up its balance sheet. After months of assurances, the project [...]
London Assembly accuses Sadiq Khan of ‘incompetence’ over Crossrail delay November 9, 2018 London mayor Sadiq Khan has been accused of showing "incompetence" in his handling of the delay to the £15.4bn Elizabeth Line. The London Assembly's transport committee branded Khan's response to a letter it wrote in October – in which it accused the mayor of misleading the public about the delay – as "wholly unsatisfactory". On 31 August Crossrail announced [...]
Be wary of taking the golden goose of London for granted November 8, 2018 Last week’s Budget saw two infrastructure spending announcements for London. The first was a cool £291m to buy more DLR trains and convert a depot into housing. This will facilitate 18,000 homes – in reality, about four months’ worth of London’s annual need for housing. The second was £5m for a Westminster Ceremonial Streetscape project. [...]
Sadiq Khan urged to ‘get a grip’ on London transport as government bails out Crossrail with £350m loan October 26, 2018 London mayor Sadiq Khan has been urged to “get a grip” of transport in the city after the government bailed out the delayed Crossrail project with a £350m loan today. Transport for London (TfL) said the money was needed to continue construction work on the delayed Elizabeth Line. In July, rail minister Jo Johnson announced [...]
These are the 10 projects vying for the title of London’s greatest infrastructure achievement October 26, 2018 The 10 projects in the running to be named London's greatest infrastructure achievement for this year have been revealed. The Institution of Civil Engineers has released the shortlist of 10 projects being considered for the top accolades, with awards being given out next month for the best infrastructure project, innovation, and community benefit. All projects [...]