Fire crews called in after burst water main creates “river” in Kennington, TfL warns of severe delays to buses across south London June 29, 2015 Update: Around 15 properties have been flooded by the burst water main in Kennington, south London, which has been finally been brought under control. But that hasn't stopped travel disruption, with TfL warning that bus routes and drivers were still being caught in severe delays throughout Vauxhall, Pimlico, Stockwell, Camberwell, Old Kent Road, Elephant [...]
From Tesco and the Northern Powerhouse to self-control and politeness: Here’s what got us talking this week June 26, 2015 There was a shocking attack in France. In Brussels, deadlines came and went and came (again). And somewhere in social media land, Taylor Swift became the Queen of everything, including Apple. Here's what got us talking this week 1) When it comes to happiness, south London is best Yup, if you're among the [...]
UK national rail strike: Threat averted as Network Rail and unions reach pay deal June 24, 2015 The threat of a strike that would have brought Britain's entire train network grinding to a standstill has been averted after a pay deal was reached. Network Rail and the unions have agreed a two-year deal that includes a two per cent pay rise for staff this year and a pay rise in line with [...]
Eurostar services suspended for the rest of the day as riots close Eurotunnel June 23, 2015 Eurostar said it was unable to run "any trains" from France because of a fire caused by demonstrators outside the tunnel in northern France. This morning riot police were called after wildcat strikes by workers at a terminal run by My Ferry Link in northern France caused hundreds of migrants to attempt to make the [...]
Tube strike could lead to more home working disputes: How businesses should plan around disruption June 23, 2015 London is braced for the worst tube disruption in a decade next month if Tube workers and their unions decide to go ahead with planned strike action. For some employers in the City and elsewhere, this could lead to more workplace disputes if employees abuse permission given to work from home. The always-on culture of [...]
London facing travel misery as unions hit out over Night Tube service with 24-hour strike June 18, 2015 Londoners face the threat of a summer of travel chaos as unions fight a long list of industrial grievances. London Underground drivers belonging to the Aslef union have voted for a 24-hour strike from 8 July over the introduction of a new Night Tube service at weekends. Around 80 per cent of drivers belong to [...]
RMT union members balloting over First Great Western train strike June 15, 2015 Rail workers union RMT has issued a ballot on potential strike action following a dispute with First Great Western bosses. Read more: RMT is balloting London Underground members over a new strike The ballot for strike action and action short of a strike for all First Great Western members is underway over what the union describes [...]
Investigation launched into Network Rail reliability after delays and cost overruns June 12, 2015 Network Rail is to be investigated by Britain's rail regulator after it was accused of delivering poor punctuality and reliability on some of its key routes. The routes, some of which are the busiest commuter routes in the country, were "below requirements", according to the regulator, the Office of Road and Rail (ORR). They are operated [...]
Network Rail profits halve as company admits it is not keeping up with pace of change June 11, 2015 After strike threats and widespread condemnation over ongoing travel chaos, Network Rail is continuing its annus horribilis with a set of pretty dismal results. The figures: Network Rail's pre-tax profits halved for the year to March 31, from £1.-4bn to £506m, while opreating profit fell 13.3 per cent to £1.74bn. Revenues also slipped [...]
Transport for London: If you’re travelling on Central Line you need to “replan your journey” after signal failure causes “carnage” June 9, 2015 A signal failure at Marble Arch was causing travel chaos for Central Line commuters this morning, and the advice was pretty galling to Londoners who had no alternative route. Severe delays were being caused by the problem, which engineers were attempting to fix during rush hour. https://twitter.com/centralline/status/608171743677673472 Central Line's Twitter feed said: [...]