Mayor urged to come clean on affordable housing figures

Posted by Now London on Sep 29, 2011 in Assembly, News | 0 comments

Nicky Gavron, Labour’s London Assembly housing and planning spokesperson, has called on Mayor Boris Johnson to come clean over claiming credit for 16,000 affordable homes that will never be delivered.   

Nicky has this morning written to Richard Blakeway, the Mayor’s housing adviser, to explain why he has apparently double counted around 16,000 affordable homes.

Blakeway said this week that “around 54,000 completions” are expected over the “next four years” (2011-15), apparently including 16,000 affordable homes that will already have been counted towards the Mayor’s target of 50,000 homes by 2012.

Nicky wrote, "I am extremely concerned at the way the mayor’s office has apparently double counted this information. At best it is a lazy, yet very important, error. At worst you have blatantly misled Londoners on your housing delivery."

She went on to say that the misuse of statistics, "undermines the challenges we face, and this apparent sleight of hand does nothing to reassure Londoners we are delivering what the city needs."

Commenting today, Nicky Gavron said: "The mayor needs to be beating targets, not cheating them. He’s already broken his election pledge to deliver 50,000 homes by 2011. It now looks like he’s trying to claim credit twice for thousands of extra homes."

Mayor’s £100m+ boost to green London’s public buildings

Posted by Now London on Sep 27, 2011 in Mayor | 0 comments

Hundreds of public buildings in London including schools, libraries and hospitals are set to get a green makeover, with low cost loans from a new £100 million fund, the Mayor announced today.

London’s public buildings are responsible for 10 per cent of the capital’s carbon emissions. Retrofitting these buildings with energy reduction measures will not only cut fuel bills and emissions, it is also a valuable investment opportunity estimated to be worth billions to the London economy, which will create jobs and help develop skills.

Flexible finance available from the fund will pay for measures including efficient lighting systems, ventilation and boiler upgrades, smart meters and solar panels. Returns on initial investments are made through resulting energy savings. The Mayor also revealed that a team of experts will be available to help speed public buildings through retrofitting programmes.

This is part of the Mayor’s overall plan to retrofit London’s buildings which are responsible for 80 per cent of carbon emissions. Retrofitting is a win-win for Londoners as it delivers value for money through the more efficient use of energy resulting in reduced energy costs and it significantly contributes to the Mayor’s ambitious carbon reduction targets.

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: ‘Retrofitting London is a priority as not only will it cut carbon and energy costs, but also inject billions of pounds into the city’s economy, and create tens of thousands of jobs.

‘This multi-million pound fund will assist in improving the efficiency of the capital’s public buildings. It is a great example of the type of innovative thinking that will stimulate green economic growth for the capital while also saving taxpayers’ money on energy bills.’

The Mayor has agreed a £50 million contribution from the London Green Fund to set up this new fund, which will be known as the London Energy Efficiency Fund (LEEF). LEEF will be led by Amber Infrastructure Limited, a leading sponsor and manager of social and economic infrastructure projects. Amber has already expanded the fund’s value with upfront commitments for £50 million from RBS and the company is expected to leverage in further amounts over the life of the project. Amber will also work with Arup, that will act as a technical adviser. To further enhance the attractiveness of the LEEF, RBS are currently negotiating a facility with the European Investment Bank which will allow their commitment to be provided at a more beneficial rate.

It is anticipated that many of the projects to be funded will use the Mayor’s RE:FIT programme model, which has already saved one million pounds a year from the energy bills of 42 public buildings in the Greater London Authority group including fire stations, police stations and Transport for London offices. RE:FIT is pioneering and award-winning, and is being adopted across the UK as well as attracting interest from around the world. Buildings that have taken up scheme have seen their energy efficiency improved by as much as 40 per cent. The Mayor’s RE:FIT programme is about to significantly ramp up following the selection of Turner & Townsend, supported by PA Consulting Group as preferred bidder to run a RE:FIT programme delivery unit to support hundreds more organisations through the process including building and carbon assessment, securing funding, procurement and implementation. This team will be in place for three years, predominantly funded through the European Investment Bank managed ELENA (European Local Energy Assistance) facility totalling £2.67million.

The London Green Fund is a trailblazing initiative led by the Mayor of London and managed by the European Investment Bank, that combines European Regional Development Funds, public and private finance to invest in environmental infrastructure. Earlier this year the Mayor launched a £70million waste fund under the same scheme. Collectively these funds are set to issue hundreds of millions of pounds of investment for low carbon projects.

The London Green Fund is financed by contributions from the London Development Agency, the London Waste and Recycling Board and the Joint European Support for Sustainable Investment in City Areas (JESSICA) initiative that was developed by the European Commission and European Investment Bank.

European Investment Bank Vice President, Simon Brooks, said: ‘We are delighted to have finalised negotiations with Amber as the second “sub-fund” manager for the London Green Fund’s energy efficiency component. In addition, we are also evaluating the possibility of providing EIB low cost funding to RBS which they can on-lend to the fund. Combining funding from the London Green Fund with private sector funding in this way will provide local authorities and other eligible borrowers with cheap funding to green their buildings and contribute to the UK and EU energy efficiency and carbon reduction targets.’

Leo Bedford, Programme Director for Amber, commented: ‘We’re delighted to be working alongside our consortium partners on a project that will be pivotal for London’s 2020 carbon emissions programme. Our unrivalled public sector partnerships and experience in managing a JESSICA fund provides us with a unique platform to ensure both the long-term energy efficiency goals and public saving objectives are met.’

Chris Fallis Head of Public Sector, Structured Finance for RBS, said: ‘RBS are delighted to be supporting Amber Infrastructure with the London Energy Efficiency Fund, which will allow public sector bodies within London to access financing for energy efficiency programmes, facilitating a reduction of the carbon footprint across the capital.

‘RBS has extensive public sector experience and coupled with Amber’s fund and project management experience and Arup’s technical expertise, provides a unique partnership to deliver this vital programme.’

Malcolm Ball, Director at Arup, commented: ‘Arup is proud to be a key advisor for the first energy efficiency fund in the UK. The London Energy Efficiency Fund is an exciting project and one which aligns with Arup’s vision to accelerate building retrofit and contribute to a low carbon economy.’

The London Green Fund forms one of the initiatives the Mayor has introduced to harness the opportunities coming from a low carbon economy – other projects to ‘retrofit London’ are cutting emissions from homes and transport. For example, the Mayor’s RE:NEW programme recently expanded to all boroughs and is set to offer 55,000 homes a carbon makeover by May 2012.

London is well placed to become a world leader in both low carbon financing and in the creation of new jobs, skills and enterprise to cash in on the need to become more energy efficient. An Ernst and Young report commissioned by the Mayor shows that if London can secure just one per cent of forecast global spend on low carbon goods and services, then it could deliver nearly £4 billion annually to our economy through to 2025.

Boris announces huge fare increase for Londoners

Posted by Now London on Sep 14, 2011 in Fare increases, Mayor, News, Transport | 0 comments

Following the publication of Boris Johnson’s bus, tube, tram and rail fare increases today Ken Livingstone said,

”London already has some of the highest fares in the world, but instead of putting squeezed Londoners first, Boris Johnson is sticking to further stealth-taxes on fares even as he argues for tax cuts for the rich.

“These fare rises are absolutely staggering. Under Boris Johnson the price of a single bus fare will be 56 per cent higher, a huge attack on ordinary Londoners and right across the board fares are soaring.

”Under the Tories, Londoners are less well off with every day that passes.
 
”Fares will be a central choice in next May’s election and in the coming weeks I will set out a fairer fares plan that puts Londoners first.”

Val Shawcross AM said:

“This decision by Boris Johnson to raise fares again is hugely damaging to millions of Londoners and will now be one of the central issues in the election campaign.

‘With Ken, Labour will propose a fairer package and aim to put Londoners first after four Tory years of indiscriminately squeezing the great majority of Londoners, from the suburbs to central London.”

Today’s announcement by Boris Johnson means:

Single bus ticket up 56%
·        was 90p in 2008
·        will be £1.40 in 2012
Costing Londoners £260 a year more

Weekly bus and tram pass up 47%
·        was £13.00 in 2008
·        will be £19.10 in 2012
Costing Londoners £317 a year more

Weekly zone 1-2 Travel Card up 23%
·        Was £24.20 in 2008
·        Will be £29.80 in 2012
Costing Londoners £291 a year more

Weekly zone 1-4 Travel Card up 23%
·        was £34.60 in 2008
·        will be £42.60 in 2012
Costing Londoners  £416 a year more     

Mayor confirms fares increase for 2012 to support unprecedented £12billion investment in London’s transport network

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, today confirmed that from January 2012 fares on London’s Tubes, Buses, London Overground, Docklands Light Railway (DLR) and Trams will rise by the level set out two years ago in Transport for London’s (TfL) Business Plan. This will maintain essential day to day public transport services and help continue record investment in London’s extensive transport network, which is experiencing surging passenger demand. All free and concessionary travel for older people, students, Veterans and disabled Londoners has been protected in full, which means that 40 per cent of bus passengers will continue to travel free or at a substantial concessionary rate.

From 2 January 2012, fares on TfL’s services will rise by an average of RPI + 2 per cent, the assumption outlined in TfL’s Business Plan in October 2009. Based on July’s RPI figure of 5 per cent, this represents an average 7 per cent fare increase across TfL services and Oyster pay as you go. Within this average there will be some TfL fares that go up less than 7 per cent, and some slightly more either due to small increments in rounding or because they are fares involving National Rail services but every effort has been made to ensure that this is distributed as evenly as possible across individual fares.

Following the Mayor’s successful campaign last year to protect Government contribution to TfL’s funding, unprecedented investment in London’s transport network will continue totalling £12billion over the Mayor’s four year term. This is an increase from £8billion investment from the previous administration.

The current investment programme includes upgrades to the Tube, now carrying a record 1.1billion passengers a year, delivery of Crossrail, and the maintenance of London’s frequent, extensive, reliable and accessible bus network, which is now carrying almost 2.3billion passengers a year – more than any other time since records began in the 1960’s. Further extensive improvements have also been made on the DLR and London Overground, both of which are also experiencing record ridership. Investment is vital for the transport network to continue to develop and improve and to meet future demand, which is set to grow yet further.

Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: “Despite some of the toughest economic times in living memory, I have secured unprecedented levels of investment for London’s transport network totalling £12billion over my four year term of office. Not since the days of our Victorian forefathers has there been improvements of this scale which includes upgrades and capacity increases ahead of 2012 and beyond to Crossrail. At the same time, we are focusing as never before on providing value for public money by committing to find significant savings of £7.6billion at TfL, over two thirds of which have now been secured. 

“Income from fares is vital to ensure the on-going health of London’s transport network, keeping services running for the billions of passengers who rely on them day in, day out. This is a fares package that continues my aim to put Transport for London’s finances on a steady footing, moving us away from the boom and bust approach undertaken by my predecessor when we saw a succession of draconian increases and knee-jerk, unaffordable pre-election freezes.

“This year, as Londoners begin to experience the benefits of that investment through more frequent and reliable journeys, I am also once again able to protect all free and concessionary travel for people who rely on public transport most, including older people, disabled veterans and those on lower incomes.

“I understand that any increase in tough times is difficult. This is a package that has sought to balance the needs of today’s passengers whilst ensuring we continue apace with plans to overhaul London’s transport system in the face of unprecedented demand.”

Mayor announces Olympic park electric charging network creating air quality legacy

Posted by Now London on Sep 8, 2011 in Mayor | 0 comments

The Mayor Boris Johnson today announced a network of charge points is planned to support the Olympic and Paralympic zero-emission electric vehicle fleet. After the Games, the charge points will boost the Mayor’s growing Source London electric network.

The significant number of charge points provided by GE will ensure ample power supply, provided by EDF Energy, for the London 2012 fleet of 200 BMW and Mini electric vehicles, helping to create the most sustainable Games ever. After the sporting events, the charge points will become part of Source London, a lasting legacy benefiting electric car drivers in the Capital and especially those living or visiting the regenerated east of the city.

The announcement was made ahead of EcoVelocity, Europe’s largest low carbon motor show running from 8-11 September. The outdoor motoring festival, sponsored by EDF Energy, is being held at Battersea Power Station. Londoners will have the chance to have a hands-on test drive of an electric vehicle, and ask queries and questions answered about electric driving. To coincide with this event, annual membership for Source London, which normally costs £100, will be discounted to just £10 for those who sign up during EcoVelocity. A team from Source London will be at the show throughout to assist in registrations and answer any questions about Source London.

Source London, launched by the Mayor in May 2011, already boasts over 200 charge points making it the Capital’s largest charge point network. By 2013, 1,300 charging points will be installed. Membership of Source London allows for limitless re-charging of its publicly accessible network in locations across the city.

Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: “It is my goal to lengthen London’s lead as the electric vehicle capital of Europe, so it is fitting that this city is hosting the largest motor show dedicated to greener vehicles. I encourage people to come along, have a test drive on the EcoVelocity test track and get a cracking deal on Source London membership to boot.

“As a greater choice of electric cars come onto the market, more and more Londoners will want to buy them. So it is great news that a network of charge points set to support the Olympic electric fleet next year, will go on to bolster Source London, creating a superb legacy for the Capital’s growing army of eco-drivers.”

Source London has a range of public and private sector partners that are committed to introducing charge points which includes: Asda, Capital Shopping Centres, Enterprise, Gatwick Airport, Heathrow Airport, Hertz, Ikea, NCP, Nissan, Old Ford Housing Association, Sainsbury’s, Scottish and Southern Energy, Southern Railway, the Whittington NHS Trust and 13 London boroughs.

Electric vehicles deliver a number of benefits including lower carbon emissions and improved air quality.

Leon Daniels, Managing Director for Surface Transport at Transport for London (TfL) said: “Momentum for Source London is building and this on top of the legacy from the 2012 Games will mean we make charge points for electric vehicles more accessible than ever in London.”

As part of its ongoing commitment to the environment TfL recently added another four electric Smith Vans vehicles to its low carbon fleet bring the total number to 16. The vehicles are used by TfL in its work to maintain and improve London’s red route.

Green Park upgrade nears completion

Posted by Now London on Sep 7, 2011 in Business, Local News, Transport | 0 comments

A transformation of Green Park Tube station is now nearly complete, with three new lifts already providing step free access to the platforms and an attractive new ramped entrance with views of the park now in action. The changes mean customers are already benefiting from improvements being made to this key Olympic interchange well ahead of the Games.

 
 

The £48m project to provide step-free facilities at Green Park Tube station has been completed ahead of schedule and under budget by Tube Lines and London Underground. Passengers with restricted mobility, as well as people with heavy luggage or buggies, are now able to use the new lifts at Green Park Tube station to access the Piccadilly, Victoria and Jubilee line platforms. Other work includes new flooring, ceiling, lighting, tiling and signage in the ticket hall plus new entrances and lift lobbies.

 
 

During the 2012 Games Green Park will be a key station as it will enable customers to change onto the Jubilee line for access to the Olympic Park, Wembley and North Greenwich. Green Park is also an interchange for travellers heading to Heathrow airport and other key transport hubs such as St.Pancras International rail station.

 
 

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: “It is great news that passengers using Green Park every day can now take advantage of the huge improvements that have been made there. Next year it will be a very important part of the plan to help millions of Londoners and visitors to our great city get around during the Games. We want to make the links into the Olympic venues as strong as possible and the ease of passage between them as smooth as possible.”

 
 

The major upgrade of Green Park station also includes a new canopy and a new staircase on the south side of Piccadilly, public space improvements outside the station and beautiful artwork integral to the station buildings.

 
 

Jon Lamonte, Senior Transport for London Director, said: “This is a busy station, popular with visitors to central London and will be an important link to the Olympic and Paralympic venues. Tube Lines and London Underground have worked tirelessly, day and night, to deliver improvements at Green Park station ahead of schedule and well below budget.”

 
 

63 Tube stations are now step-free from street to platform level. By the time of the 2012 Games 65 Tube stations will be step-free. Transport for London has applied for funding from the Government to help make further stations in the capital ‘step free’. Confirmation of whether that funding might be granted is expected within the next month.

 
 

Art on the Underground has commissioned artist John Maine RA to create a new artwork which forms part of the station structure for customers to enjoy. The work focuses on the geology of the Portland stone cladding and setting of the station in the natural environment of Green Park.