An inside view on traffic management in London with Glynn Barton – this week’s Highways Voice
“The one saving grace,” says Glynn Barton while talking about the Coronavirus crisis, “is that it wasn’t the other way – we didn’t all of a sudden see a boom in traffic and movement on our very busy network”. Having overseen a huge change to traffic flows in London, been affected by the sudden drop in tube […]
E-scooters approved for London trial
Three companies, Dott, Lime and Tier, have been approved to operate e-scooter trials in London. The devices will only legally be allowed to be used on roads and cycle paths in certain areas, and will not be permitted on pavements with pedestrians. E-scooters are already used illegally in London prompting safety concerns. Last month a […]
Westminster Bridge cycle lanes become permanent
Transport for London’s plans to install permanent barriers to block off cycle lanes on Westminster Bridge have been approved by the two affected Boroughs either side of the Thames. Community website London-SE1 reports that both the City of Westminster and Lambeth councils have approved the application for listed building consent for the proposed new layout. […]
London’s bus capacities to double from Monday
As the Coronavirus-related restrictions are eased from Monday, Transport for London has announced that the capacity of buses will be doubled from next Monday with most seats now able be used. All but the rear-facing seats will be allowed, meaning the the capacity of most double-deckers increasing to around 60 people. The organisation is reassuring […]
TfL boss targets Elizabeth Line Christmas opening
London’s transport commissioner wants the new Elizabeth Line Crossrail service open by Christmas. The Evening Standard reports Andy Byford is “spending his days focused on the twin challenges of getting the long-delayed, over-budget line open slightly ahead of the latest estimate, while encouraging passengers back onto the Tube and buses”. The report adds that official […]
HE and TfL raise theme park concerns
Traffic managers are warning a planned new theme park near the Dartford Crossing in Kent could cause huge traffic problems. The East Anglian Daily Times reports that both Highways England and Transport for London are worried the £3.5 billion London Resort proposed for the Swanscombe Peninsula could have an impact on the Dartford Crossing, and […]
Last Routemaster bus service leaves London’s streets
Transport for London has decided to retire the last regular service of Routemaster buses. Twenty of the iconic buses (pictured) were running during the summer months on the Route 15, but it has been decided it is uneconomic to continue based on lower ridership due to Coronavirus and subsequent government restrictions. London’s Evening Standard reports […]
Dartford MP seeks to make proposed London Driving Charge unlawful
An MP is attempting to outlaw a suggestion from London Mayor Sadiq Khan that motorists from outside the capital should pay £3.50 per day to drive within the boundaries. KentOnline quotes Dartford MP Gareth Johnson as describing the idea as “catastrophic and mad” and that he’s pushing to introduce a bill to rule that the […]
London Mayor candidate promises six months’ free travel
The actor Laurence Fox is promising six months of free tube and bus travel in London if he gets elected mayor in next month’s election. The Reclaim Party leader says it’ll help “bring the capital back to life” after lockdown. Fox told the Evening Standard, “Our Chancellor Rishi Sunak is paying people to stay at […]
Tarmac Kier JV awarded Barnet highways contract
The Tarmac Kier joint venture has been awarded a new highways maintenance and improvements contract with the London Borough of Barnet. The new contract, valued at approximately £25m, will run from April 2021 for two and half years until September 2023 and has been appointed through Transport for London’s Highways Maintenance and Projects Framework. The […]