Up, up and away: London City Airport’s controversial plans to expand yearly passenger capacity is cleared for take-off by Housing Secretary Angela Rayner and Transport Secretary Louise Haigh. While the decision will see more early morning flights for the single-runway east London airport, the ban on Saturday afternoon flights – something the airport sought permission to commence - remains in place. The decision came just days after research by the New Economics Foundation and charity Possible found just over half of destinations from London City Airport can be made in six hours or less by train.
Red on red: Rayner and Haigh’s decision might be the first public instance since 4 July of what the political realities of a new interventionist Labour Government means for London’s Labour leaders. Gone are the days of simply firing off a quote slamming the Tory Government – the new political order no doubt leading to the deployment of more nuanced language.
New Order: That hasn’t stopped Newham’s Labour Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz, who is 'deeply concerned' and ‘considering all options’ after the council previously rejected the airport’s proposals in July 2023. Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, while also expressing concern, was perhaps more measured in his response than might have been the case if a Conservative government had granted approval. Khan had previously criticised the plans for being ‘completely inadequate’ on matters of environment, noise and pollution.
Speedy boarding: Even after expansion, London City Airport’s 3-4% of the capital’s maximum annual passenger capacity would be dwarfed by bigger cousins Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton and Stansted – all of which have expansion plans of their own (more on this below). Time will tell if the new interventionist approach will apply to them, particularly with a greater number of Labour MPs since July 4th under the flight paths.
ICYMI: Quick run around the airports of the wider south east…. Heathrow’s third runway – while given the green light by the last parliament - remains a ‘will they, won’t they’; Gatwick’s plans to open its northern runway for routine use are now under examination, Luton is seeking to double passenger numbers with a second terminal; Stansted’s planned terminal extension; and Southend/s dreams of reaching 10 million passengers thanks to easyJet.
Back to the ground: While the proposed changes to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) reduce London’s overall housing targets to around 81,000 a year, this still dwarfs the 52,000 target in the current London Plan, which in turn exceeds anything the city has actually managed to deliver for many decades. Nevertheless, the Mayor remains optimistic, noting some boroughs who were ‘less good’ than others in meeting their targets and adding he’ll ‘take over’ where councils are not willing to grant permission to ‘sensible’ housing developments.
Little mischief: In the same interview, Khan caused a stir by daring to mention Brexit and his belief in having a ‘conversation’ about the benefits of rejoining the European Union in the ‘medium to long term.’ He also said politicians should be ‘bolder and braver’ in challenging misinformation and rhetoric on immigration.
Ask and you shall receive: The G15 group of the capital’s largest housing associations has urged the Government to implement a ‘minimum’ long-term settlement for social rent, with ‘cast-iron’ guarantees that ministers won’t renege on the agreement mid-term. The group says better ‘rent convergence’ would provide clarity and stability in managing finances for new developments and repairs. As reported above in the National Politics Round Up, it seems the Chancellor was already listening.
Wrapped and railed: Two of London’s biggest proposed infrastructure schemes were given a renewed outing in the press this week. In an interview with New Civil Engineer, Labour London Assembly Member Elly Baker made the case for Crossrail 2 sites to be safeguarded to protect the route. Leader of Brent Council, Cllr Muhammed Butt, called on the Government to invest in the Bakerloo line upgrade and extension to Lewisham. All eyes on the Budget in October and subsequent Spending Review to see if there’s any money in the kitty for these and any other of London’s shopping list of asks.
Not-so-cruel Summer I: Global megastar Taylor Swift’s record eight Wembley Stadium concerts are reported to have boosted the UK economy by £1bn. And as the UK waves goodbye to Swift and her Eras tour, 1.2 million of us Brits can boast we were at one of Swift’s concerts – that’s one in 50 people in the UK.
Not-so-cruel Summer II: In London alone, 700,000 concert-goers packed into Wembley – equal to the population of two boroughs. Wembley Park Tube station recorded a combined total of more than 900,000 trips for the first six of Swift’s eight dates. It’s no wonder the Lib Dems are calling for Swift to receive Freedom of the City of London.
Mind the gap: Plans for a new station in south-east London look back on track with Renewal Group committing £17m towards a new stop at Surrey Canal Road on the rebranded Windrush line, situated next to Millwall’s New Den home. Transport for London (TfL) has been seeking private investment towards the new station since Lewisham Council gave the green light to carry out design work in 2021.
City slickers: London Councils are on the move from their Southwark home to swanky new premises at Arthur Street in the City. Thanks to a comprehensive refurbishment, the voice of London’s 32 boroughs and City of London Corporation will take up residence in CIT Group’s 10-storey office building.
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