London Reconnections

Croxley Rail Link Resurfaces

On 27 October 2010 By John Bull In Construction projects, Croxley Rail Link, DfT, Metropolitan line

All has been (unsurprisingly) quiet on the Croxley front since the then newly appointed Coalition Government first announced its Spending Review. The scheme, which would see the Metropolitan Line extended to Watford Junction via Croxley, …

Brown-outs at TfL

On 26 October 2010 By John Bull In Buses, Overground, TfL

Transport firm Go Ahead released a trading statement today in which they confirmed that current CEO Keith Ludeman will retire next July and be replaced by David Brown – TfL’s current Head of Surface Transport. …

Rolling Stock Comings and Goings

On 25 October 2010 By George Moore In Metropolitan line, Overground, Rolling stock, Victoria line

A lot of trains are either starting their “life” in London or ending it at the moment, so below is a quick summary of major comings and goings. Metropolitan line Incoming stock: S8 StockOutgoing stock: …

Peter Hendy’s Statement on the Spending Review

On 20 October 2010 By John Bull In Crossrail.TfL

Setting our future direction – Outcome of the Comprehensive Spending Review I am writing to brief you on the outcome of the Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR), which was announced by the Chancellor in Parliament this …

London Transport Highlights From The Spending Review

On 20 October 2010 By John Bull In Crossrail, Mayor's Office, TfL

Today has been a busy day at Whitehall, City Hall and the offices of TfL. It seems best to skip the formalities and head straight to the meat. The full report can be downloaded here …

Stagecoach Return to The London Bus Market

On 15 October 2010 By John Bull In Buses

Stagecoach have purchased the East London Bus Group back from Australian investment bank Macquarie, to whom they originally sold the firm in 2005 (making it then the largest independent operator in the UK). ELBG has …

Quango cuts and Crossrail and Thameslink Rumours

On 14 October 2010 By John Bull In Crossrail, London Underground, Thameslink

With the 20th of October fast approaching, rumours have begun to surface as to the likely ways in which Transport spending will be affected by the coming budget cuts. Already, some things have become clear. …

London Southend: The forgotten "London" Airport

On 14 October 2010 By George Moore In Airports, Olympics

With Airtrack and other schemes focusing attention on the United Kingdom’s largest and busiest airports, it is easier to miss activity at the one of the country’s lesser know airports: Southend Airport in South East …

Surrey Council Ends Heathrow Airtrack Opposition

On 5 October 2010 By John Bull In Airtrack, Heathrow

Surrey County Council have agreed, in principle, a package of works that would see the local authority end its formal opposition to the Heathrow Airtrack scheme. Although the Council have always agreed with the scheme …

Conservative Conference: Boris Johnson’s Speech

On 4 October 2010 By John Bull In Boris Johnson, Mayor's Office

Unsurprisingly, Mayor Johnson’s speech at the Conservative Party Conference today focused heavily on London Transport. The full speech can be found here. Key extracts are repeated below, with edits for political points and non-Transport sections. …

New Name for Smitham Station Confirmed

On 30 September 2010 By John Bull In DfT, Southern

The DfT and Southern have confirmed that Smitham Station will be renamed to “Coulsdon Town.” The station opened as Smitham in 1904, when Smitham Bottom and Old Coulsdon were still relatively distinct entities. By the …

Crossrail States its Costing Position

On 29 September 2010 By John Bull In Crossrail, DfT

Crossrail Ltd have released a statement reiterating their current stance with regards to savings. The statement can be read in full here. Broadly speaking, the statement largely confirms much that was already known. Crossrail indicate …

Openings At Stratford

On 29 September 2010 By George Moore In Central line, Construction projects, Olympics, Stratford International

[The photo of above gives an impressive view of all the new railway infrastructure at Stratford – from Bow Midland Road construction yard and DLR Pudding Mill Lane in the south, to the missing Hall …

Down In the Dark: The Connaught Tunnel and Silvertown Station

On 22 September 2010 By John Bull In Construction projects, Crossrail

In 1846, a new railway line opened between Stratford and Canning Town. A year later, it was extended to North Woolwich, a station on the north bank of the Thames connected by ferry to the …

In Pictures: A Rolling Stock Round-Up

On 20 September 2010 By George Moore In London Underground, Overground, Rolling stock

Recent weeks have seen both the S-Stock and 172s debut on Underground and Overground. Below is a brief photographic look at both.S-Stock The first of the new S Stock trains is now in service, running …