Energy suppliers win four-year delay for smart meter rollout September 16, 2019 Energy suppliers were given four more years to meet their obligation to offer smart meters to all homes in Britain today, as the roll-out lags behind the previous 2020 deadline. The government said it was planning to implement “strict” new annual targets for suppliers until 2024. Missed targets could lead to fines, it added. Read [...]
HS2 told to halt ancient woodlands clearance works pending review September 16, 2019 The government has ordered the removals of ancient woodlands near the High Speed Two (HS2) route to be halted while it waits the outcome of a review into the controversial project. Transport secretary Grant Shapps has told HS2 Limited, the company building the high speed line, to stop its clearance works unless it can prove [...]
Cobham investors give green light to £4bn private equity takeover September 16, 2019 Investors in aerospace giant Cobham have approved a £4bn takeover by private equity firm Advent International, despite fierce opposition from the company’s founding family. More than 93 per cent of investors approved Advent’s offer of 165p per share, which marked a 50 per cent premium on Cobham’s three-month average share price and was previously recommended [...]
Bank station commuters warned of travel chaos as TfL prepares to shut DLR concourse ‘until 2022’ September 16, 2019 Commuters face years of chaos and overcrowding at busy Bank station starting later this month as the DLR concourse will be shut down as part of the station’s 2022 upgrade. Users of the DLR, which links the Dockland area of east London to Bank, will be directed through a one-way system – which could be [...]
Eddie Stobart issues profit warning amid takeover interest September 16, 2019 Eddie Stobart has warned its underlying profits for 2019 will be “significantly below” expectations as it confirmed it had received a takeover offer from one of its shareholders. Last month the truck firm suspended shares and announced its chief executive Alex Laffey was standing down with immediate effect after it discovered a multi-million pound accounting [...]
Thomas Cook ‘scrambles to seal rescue deal’ amid concerns over bondholders September 15, 2019 Troubled travel company Thomas Cook is said to be looking to delay a pivotal bondholders’ meeting on Wednesday to give it more time to agree a £900m rescue deal with majority shareholder Fosun. The 178-year-old holiday firm is still scrambling to wrap up the terms of a restructuring deal with the Chinese conglomerate, but fears [...]
Heathrow climate change protest arrests rises to 18 September 14, 2019 The number of people arrested by police during a climate change protest at Heathrow Airport has risen to 18. Activists threatened to fly drones in Heathrow’s exclusion zone as part of the Heathrow Pause campaign. Read more: Heathrow Airport remains open as signal jamming blocks devices The police have arrested 18 people on suspicion of [...]
Wrightbus in rescue talks as 1,400 jobs at risk September 14, 2019 London bus maker Wrightbus will hold talks with Irish transport executive Darren Donnelly this weekend in a bid to avoid administration. Donnelly is the leading contender to acquire Wrightbus, according to Sky News, but the bus maker could be forced to appoint administrators if a rescue deal is not concluded by next week. Read more: [...]
Heathrow drone protest: Airport ‘remains open’ as police make two arrests September 13, 2019 Heathrow has said its runways remain open today despite efforts by climate change protesters to disrupt flights after two men were arrested. The Metropolitan Police arrested the two men at 5.50am in the vicinity of the airport on suspicion of conspiracy to commit a public nuisance offence. Read more: Heathrow exec likens expansion plans to [...]
British Airways cancels more flights as strikes bite September 12, 2019 British Airways said today it is cancelling several flights at the end of this month as pilots prepare to go out on strike. The airline did not say how many flights would be affected, but promised to let customers know. “We are now contacting all those affected to offer them a full refund or a [...]