Waiting on NHS is delaying driving license applications, says DVLA boss July 6, 2023 Delays in processing driving licence applications from people with health conditions are largely as a result of long waits for information from the NHS, the chief executive of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has said. Julie Lennard, boss of the DVLA, told the Commons’ Transport Committee: “We’re very dependent in a lot of [...]
Plans to close nearly all railway ticket offices in England condemned as job losses loom July 5, 2023 Plans for a mass closure of railway station ticket offices in England have been widely condemned. Industry body the Rail Delivery Group (RDG) unveiled proposals which could lead to nearly all offices being shut, with facilities only remaining open at the busiest stations. It comes after Transport Secretary Mark Harper wrote to train operators asking [...]
New car market ‘growing back and growing green’ with EV surge – but rate hikes peak concern July 5, 2023 Britain’s new car market recorded its 11th consecutive month of growth in June with registrations rising 25.8 per cent – but it might not be smooth driving in the near future. Just under one million new cars were registered in the first half of 2023, up 18.4 per cent on the previous 2022, according to [...]
Redde Northgate has record revenue and profit as soaring van hire demand outstrips supply July 5, 2023 Vehicle hire firm Redde Northgate posted a record financial performance this morning on the back of strong vehicle hire demand, with appetite for light commercial vehicles (LCV) continuing to “outstrip supply.” The Darlington-headquartered firm saw revenues of over £1.4bn, up 19.8 per cent year-on-year with pre-tax profits at £178.7m, up 34.7 per cent. Redde Northgate [...]
Sadiq Khan lacks legal authority for ULEZ expansion, court told July 4, 2023 The mayor of London Sadiq Khan lacks the legal authority to expand the Ultra-Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), five Conservative councils told London’s High Court this morning, marking the beginning of a two-day judicial review hearing. Represented by Craig Howell Williams KC – Bexley, Bromley, Harrow, Hillingdon and Surrey – are challenging the mayor over the [...]
Wizz Air outpaces strike-hit Ryanair as passenger numbers rise before critical summer getaway July 4, 2023 Wizz Air began the much-anticipated summer season of travel with a 23 per cent year-on-year boost in passenger numbers over June, as it outpaced its strike-hit ultra-low cost rival Ryanair. Its rival, Ryanair, reported passenger figures grew nine per cent to 17.4m last month. However, the carrier was forced to cancel 900 flights as a [...]
Heathrow Airport names Thomas Woldbye as new chief – here’s what we know July 4, 2023 A successor for Heathrow Airport’s long-time chief John Holland-Kaye was finally announced last Friday. Thomas Woldbye, Copenhagen Airport’s CEO since 2011, will take over the cockpit from Holland-Kaye, having emerged as a standout candidate for what has been described as “one of the most important roles in global aviation”. Amid tough competition, Woldbye’s stint at [...]
ULEZ expansion will push building businesses over the brink, warns industry boss July 4, 2023 The boss of the British Merchants Federation (BMF) has warned that outer London building businesses hit by ULEZ charges could face closure or move if the 29 August expansion goes ahead as planned. John Newcomb, chief executive of the trade association BMF, told Morning Wire: “My biggest concern is that you would see closure of [...]
Further overtime ban dates announced by rail union ASLEF for mid July July 3, 2023 Train drivers’ union ASLEF have announced another week of strike action, while banning overtime work between Monday 17 and Saturday 22 July. The announcement coincides with the first day of this week’s six day overtime ban, with rail passengers now hit by chaos on 12 days this month. The new strike dates from the RMT [...]
CMA takes aim at supermarkets for weakening fuel price competition – as Brits pay nearly £1bn more for fuel July 3, 2023 Increased supermarket profit margins led to drivers paying almost £1bn more for fuel last year, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has found. Following a year long investigation, the watchdog said today that average supermarket fuel margins rose by 6p per litre between 2019 and 2022, with £900m syphoned out of customers pockets in total. [...]