Author Archives: Gwyn Topham
David Cameron gets a rail dressing down, from his father in law
Lord Astor brands the £32.7bn HS2 high-speed rail link through the Chilterns a ‘Pooh trap’David Cameron was warned to expect a Tory rebellion over high-speed rail. But while the government has been busy buying off cabinet ministers and local politicia… Continue reading
BAA says Heathrow’s record passenger numbers bolster case for expansion
Last month was the busiest December ever at Heathrow airportThe airport operator BAA has announced record traffic figures for Heathrow with 69.4 million passengers passing through its terminals in 2011 – numbers it claims underline the need for expan… Continue reading
HS2 high-speed rail link gets green light and ‘green’ tunnels
Biggest boost to UK rail network since 1899 with key concessions on tunnels for London-Birmingham linkThe biggest leap forward in Britain’s rail network since the 19th century was announced on Tuesday with a £32.7bn investment in high-speed rail linki… Continue reading
HS2 economic arguments may not stack up, but that’s beside the point
The high-speed railway line is going to be built – and once it’s there, we’ll use itDo the numbers stack up for high-speed rail? The economic case for HS2 has been the subject of much debate, not least since its opponents in the Chilterns realised th… Continue reading
Boost for London-Birmingham HS2 link as rail review rejects other options
Campaigners see hopes dashed as government prepares to back first stage of £32bn HS2 high-speed rail networkThe lingering hopes of campaigners of blocking the proposed high speed rail route from London to Birmingham appear to have been dashed after a … Continue reading
Boost for London-Birmingham HS2 link as rail review rejects other options
Campaigners see hopes dashed as government prepares to back first stage of £32bn HS2 high-speed rail networkThe lingering hopes of campaigners of blocking the proposed high speed rail route from London to Birmingham appear to have been dashed after a … Continue reading
Satnav summit aims to stop motorists driving up blind alleys
Transport minister hopes better co-operation between councils and manufacturers will help drivers get better directionsFor the Syrian lorry driver whose search for Gibraltar ended in Skegness, the Department of Transport’s latest initiative comes too l… Continue reading
Drug-driving law could be toughened
Department for Transport advisory panel to assess legal ‘body limits’ and roadside tests to mirror drink-driving legislationThe government is assembling a panel of experts to look at introducing a law against taking drugs and driving, and to assess the… Continue reading
London council puts West End parking charges on hold
Plans for night and weekend fees shelved til after Olympics at least, as judge grants judicial review after vocal oppositionPlans to make drivers pay for evening and weekend parking in central London have been put on hold by Westminster council after a… Continue reading
Transport cuts bereft of long-term strategy, says National Audit Office
Report warns that Department of Transport sacrificed sustainability in favour of speed when making spending cutbacksSwingeing spending cuts made by the Department for Transport lack strategic understanding, have no long-term plan and may well end up pr… Continue reading