Last modified on Tue 1 Jun 2021 07.45 EDT
Work to introduce driverless tube trains has been demanded by ministers as part of an emergency funding agreement for Transport for London, with the government injecting just over £1bn to help the capital recover from the pandemic.
TfL will be obliged to produce business cases for driverless trains on the Piccadilly and Waterloo and City lines in return for the latest funding, which also comes with a requirement to make £300m of annual cuts and slash pensions.
The mayor, Sadiq Khan, said the short-term settlement was a âsticking plasterâ and that he had reluctantly agreed to the conditions. However, he promised to fight any further moves to introduce driverless trains, which he said would cost billions of pounds and be a âgross misuse of taxpayersâ moneyâ.
The Department for Transport (DfT) has extended its financial support to Transport for London (TfL) to 11 December 2021.
The funding package comprises an extraordinary support grant of £1.08bn, paid in six instalments commencing on 7 June 2021.
It includes plans to draw up a memorandum of understanding between the government, TfL and the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham to fund the reopening of Hammersmith Bridge – initially to pedestrians, cyclists and river traffic and, depending on cost, to motorists.
The deal builds on commitments from the previous support packages and sets out further measures to be taken to ensure TfL is financially sustainable by April 2023. These include progressing efficiency and cost saving initiatives and identifying new or increased sources of revenue for TfL beyond 2023.
Sadiq Khan costs taxpayers £10m in row over Thames tunnel contract
Transport for London settles after accusations of botched procurement process for Silvertown Tunnel
28 May 2021 • 6:11pm
Sadiq Khan has been forced to pay more than £10m of taxpayer cash to a consortium of builders to settle a long-running row over a flagship road tunnel under the Thames.
Transport for London - chaired by Mr Khan, the city s mayor - has struck a deal with the Silver Thames Connect group following accusations of a botched procurement process for the Silvertown Tunnel in east London.
Sources said that TfL has agreed to pay more than £10m of public funds to the consortium, which includes the companies Hochtief, Dragados and Iridium Concesiones de Infraestructuras, after it launched a legal challenge when the contract was awarded to a rival.
Published:
2:30 PM May 27, 2021
Updated:
4:36 PM May 27, 2021
Two days of book readings to delight children at Genesis cinema on June 17 and 18.
- Credit: Barnes Festival
A children s book festival is coming to east London for the first time after a turbulent year of pandemic restrictions.
Free events are planned for primary schools at Genesis Cinema in Mile End Road on June 17 and 18 as part of the 10-day Barnes Children s Literature Festival.
Some best-known children s authors are taking part, including British Book Awards winners MG Leonard and Sam Sedgman, Supertato authors Sue Hendra and Paul Linnet and TV’s Blue Peter presenter Konnie Huq.