September 3, 2010

GLA at 10: London Assembly meets for the first time

The Greater London Authority's original logo

On the 10th anniversary of the first ever London Assembly meeting this ‘on this day’ article looks back at the event from the perspective of the time. The London Assembly, the 25-member body responsible for scrutinising London’s new Mayor Ken Livingstone, met for the first … [Read more...]

Pie in the sky? Ongoing coverage of the Thames Estuary airport debate

Campaigners against the airport have launched a new poster campaign

In recent weeks Boris Johnson has come under increasing pressure to abandon support for a new airport in the Thames Estuary as an alternative to further expansion of Heathrow. In 2008 the Mayor commissioned Doug Oakervee to conduct a preliminary feasibility study into the possibility … [Read more...]

Diplomatic immunity? Congestion Charge evading embassies

Embassies owe over £40m in unpaid congestion charge fees

In 2003 the Mayor of London and Transport for London introduced a Congestion Charge payable by all drivers entering central London. The principle aims of the charge are to reduce congestion and provide funding for London's vital transport network. The zone was later enlarged to … [Read more...]

From the archives: The day snow brought London to a halt

Heavy snow brought London's buses to a standstill

In February 2009 heavy snow saw London's entire bus fleet confined to its garages as Mayor of London Boris Johnson and London's borough councils came under fire for failing to properly prepare and ensure roads were gritted. The resulting political row saw a House of Commons select … [Read more...]

From the archives: The collapse of Metronet

The RMT have announced dates for two strikes

In 2007 Metronet, one of the companies brought in to manage the upgrade and maintenance of the London Underground under the government's controversial PPP scheme which has long been opposed by the majority of London politicians, collapsed after shareholders wrote off their investments … [Read more...]

10 years on the London Eye unveils a new ‘wow’

Filming the new 4D Film Experience in a capsule

What do you do if you’re the (very proud) owner of London’s most popular paid-for tourist attraction and one of the UK’s most iconic landmarks and want to celebrate its 10th anniversary in style? This was the question facing London Eye owners Merlin Entertainments, Europe’s … [Read more...]

Jones: Future of the economy and environment are linked


Speaking at the Progressive London Global Economic Crisis conference on Saturday 11th July, London Assembly Member Jenny Jones warned that the future of the economy and environment are now interlinked and that there could be no return to “business as usual” when the recession … [Read more...]

Video Feature: London Eye refurbishment

David Sharpe, London divisional director at Merlin Entertainment which owns the London Eye, discusses a recently commenced, three year package of works which which will see each of the wheel’s 32 capsules removed one at a time and floated down the Thames to Tilbury Docks in Essex. They'll … [Read more...]