Cycle superhighway to stay OPEN during Embankment closure

TfL has revealed that cycle superhighways will remain open during major roadworks on the Victoria Embankment from April 2019.

The closure of the Embankment, expected to last up to six months, is needed in order to move two gas mains to make way for London’s new super-sewer.

But while motor traffic is due to be diverted south along heavily congested Southwark Street, TfL has assured cyclists that the east-west and north-south cycle routes will remain unaffected.

A TfL spokesperson told Cyclist magazine: “we kept the cycle superhighway as a priority” during the planning process.

The City of London Corporation is said to be “really concerned” at the plans, with members of the Corporation’s streets and walkways subcommittee kicking up a big fuss at an emergency meeting on July 2.

At the meeting councillors suggested that traffic should be moved onto the cycle lanes during the works and the lanes routed elsewhere.

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Police appeal after Essex minicab driver beaten and robbed at knifepoint by two passengers

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A private hire driver was beaten and robbed by two male passengers in Loughton during the early hours of Sunday July 8. The driver who operates out of Chigwell picked up two men, one described as black, of medium build and in his early 20s and the other, also black, slim and in his mid to late teens, in Loughton. The journey soon took a turn for the worse when one of the suspects threatened the driver with a knife. The other suspect then punched his victim in the head before they made away with his vehicle. Officers are appealing for any witnesses that may have information surrounding the incident to call them on 101 quoting the crime reference number 42/96439/18. Alternatively you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. The incident took place at the junction of Luxborough Lane and High Road at around 1:15am Sunday July 8.

July 09, 2018 at 10:53PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Majorca group getaway from £197pp - 6nts top rated hotel & flights (2 share £246pp)

Ahoy pirates, fancy a sneaky getaway to Magaluf with your squad? Check out this Majorca holiday where you will stay for 6 nights - longer stays possible. You will stay in an adults only, award winning hotel rated number 3 from all the hotels in Magaluf. This holiday is bookable with a £49 per person… Lola POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Mexican winter warmer: 7nts all inclusive luxury from £834pp incl. flights & suite w/ whirlpool

Sack of the inevitable grey clouds of the UK this winter and instead head out to the golden beaches of Mexico. While you're at it, treat yourself to a suite with it's own private whirlpool! Because you deserve a treat! Indulge in the 4* beachfront location of the Dreams Villamagna hotel where the all inclusive… GemUK POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

The cave life chose us: Family stay in N. Irish underground chalet from £30pppn flights from £28

Looking for a staycation with something a little different, well why not go underground - literally - with these 'man made cave chalets'? Yes such a thing does exist, in Northern Ireland. Jet off (or jump in the car) to enjoy this quirky accommodation with the whole family - with dates through out the summer… GemUK POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

La Dolce Vita: 6nt trip to Venice, Florence & Rome from £169pp - incl. hotels, flights & trains

Pirates, enjoy the best of Bella Italia with this scorching offer from TourCenter! This deal offers 3-in-1 fun - you'll be visiting Rome, Venice and Florence for a total of 6 nights. Flights are included from several UK airports, as well as a great hotel in each city and train transfers to get you around… Samcana POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

2-4nt Les Villages Nature® Paris family break from £159pp - incl. Disney® park entry & flights/train

Treat the family to a bit of magic with this amazing deal to Les Villages Nature® Paris from MagicBreaks! This package includes Disney® Park tickets, accommodation at Les Villages Nature Paris as well as transport via Eurotunnel, flight or Eurostar. This deal is available from now until November, with some of the cheapest departures in… Samcana POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

9,000 out of 10,000 drivers in Singapore switch to Grab from Uber

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It's been revealed that 9000 oit of 10,000 drivers, who were working exclusively on the Uber platform in Singapore have switched across to Grab.

The figure comes in the wake of the recent Uber-Grab deal. Ubers 300 employees who were displaced by the deal and have not been taken on by Grab will be compensated.

The Uber employees were given three months paid leave, as Grab attempted to find them suitable employment within the company.

It has also been reported that the National Private Hire Vehicles Association and the National Taxi Association are assisting drivers with any contractual disputes or outstanding payments due.

Singapore's Competition and Consumer Commission recently laid out plans to promote competition within the marketplace after the Uber Grab deal., they have also proposed fining both companies for entering into the deal.

July 09, 2018 at 04:15PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Flights to beautiful Budapest from £35 return

Pirates, we have found these great flights for you, you will fly to beautiful Budapest with these bargain flights for just £35! There are a choice of dates in September - be quick these prices are sure not to last long! Use our flights finder for all other options! Flight details Direct flights Departures from… Lola POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

350 electric black cabs now on the road

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LEVC, the electric vehicle company responsible for transforming the iconic black cab, had announced that it now has 350 range extended electric taxis on the road across the UK. This includes just over 300 vehicles being operated in London.In December 2017, LEVC revealed its intention to revolutionise the taxi sector and introduced the first range extended electric vehicle onto London’s streets. Since then, these electric black cabs have covered thousands of green miles.

Over the course of a calendar year, these 350 taxis are expected to:

Cover 10.7 million miles, a distance equivalent to going to the moon and back 20 times.Save their owners £1.8m in fuel costsWill reduce CO2 emissions from the taxi sector by 2,450 tonnes

These benefits are not restricted to London - electric taxis are now a familiar sight around the UK, with cabbies in Birmingham, Coventry, Manchester, Liverpool, Nottingham and Sheffield now driving these vehicles. The vehicle is also on sale in Germany, Holland and Norway.Completely redesigned with the customer in mind, the TX offers passengers a premium experience in an electrically driven vehicle. Packing on-board wi-fi, phone and laptop charging, it is every inch the mobile office while the more spacious and comfortable space includes six seats and class-leading wheelchair accessibility.Chris Gubbey, CEO of LEVC said:“We’re proud to have reached this milestone. Electric vehicles are the future and this is a big step towards improving air quality across the UK. The new cab also provides both passengers and drivers with an enhanced experience. Not only does it deliver state-of-the-art connectivity and experience for the passenger, but the quieter, smoother vehicle offers drivers a relaxing environment, which has been proven to reduce stress levels.”Cab drivers based in London benefit from 52 dedicated rapid chargers which are set aside for their use, Transport for London have committed to installing 90 of these units by the end of 2018.

July 09, 2018 at 03:12PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Super cheap return flights to Florida from £199

If you don't mind a layover, there are some super cheap fares to be discovered. Like these amazing flights with KLM - to Fort Laurerdale, Florida for under £200 return! Flying from Inverness, this is one for the Scottish Pirates out there and there are plenty of dates available in January and February 2019! There… GemUK POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Luxurious 4* winter sun in Goa: 7nts B&B from £767pp incl. Hyatt hotel, flights, bags & transfers

If you're looking to cure the winter blues, why not head to somewhere a little different this December. Escape the festive stress and treat yourself to the gift of 7 nights in Goa, India. Stay at the luxurious 4* Hyatt Place which is within walking distance of the beach, on a B&B basis and while… GemUK POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Late season holiday in Menorca from £181pp - 7nts hotel & flights

Ahoy pirates, a way to holiday while keeping costs down can be to travel in late season, check out this holiday in Menorca for under £200 each. You will stay for a week in an award winning hotel, grab your favourite matey and get booking. Holiday details Travel duration: 7 nights (longer or shorter stays… Lola POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Can TfL lawfully revoke licences for social media posts?

Odd how TFL will send out letters for social media posts but will allow a foreign company that did not report thousands of sexual assaults/stalking cases (2500+) in London??? 

We all know now that TfL covered up the fact that 13,000 Uber drivers had fake DBS certificates and is still allowing them to continue to work on. 

We also know that TfL director Leon Daniels lied on behalf of Uber drivers on multiple occasions to the London Assembly Transport Committee. 

Bizarre world we live in.

More recently, we've seen reports on social media, that some licensed driver’s have had letters from Transport for London (TfL) threatening to revoke licences for content posted by these drivers on social media.

Can TfL lawfully revoke licences under these circumstances?

Ultimately, TfL will need to show that a licence holder is no longer a “fit and proper” person to continue to be licensed.

Freedom of speech is a fundamental principle of life in the UK.  No citizen should have their freedoms unreasonably restricted or interfered with by a public authority.

Licensed drivers must however be aware of the law relating to Defamation of Character.  

Defamation of Character is a legal term that is used to describe a false statement that is written or spoken about an individual – or an organisation – with the intent of harming their reputation.

The full article below is a detailed look at where TfL stands in regards to the law, from Taxi Defence Barristers 

http://www.taxidefencebarristers.co.uk/2018/07/can-tfl-lawfully-revoke-licences-for-social-media-posts/

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Straight out of a fairytale: Lake Bled 4nts B&B from £175pp incl. flights & hotel - solo from £271

Visit a location that's straight out of a storybook in this winter and set co-ordinates for Lake Bled, Slovenia. We've found this cheap 4 night mini-break where you'll be staying at the 3* Astoria Bled Hotel. Breakfast is included each morning and there is the opportunity to upgrade to half board. The cheapest dates we've… GemUK POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Great Greece last minute getaway from £189pp - 7nts hotel, flights, luggage & transfers

Pirates, we have another last minute bargain for you this time to Thassos in Greece. You will stay for a week in a great rated hotel based on 2 sharing, so grab your favourite matey and get booking. There is limited availability on this one so be quick pirates. Holiday details Travel duration: 6 nights… Lola POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

London Uber driver cleared after Hit and Run which saw 70 year old man killed

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An Uber driver who killed a 70 year old pedestrian during a hit and run in Aldgate London has been cleared of causing death by careless driving. Mohamad Uddin, 28, who had a previous conviction for speeding in 2008, was driving along Mansell Street Aldgate when he hit 70 year old pensioner Mauro Gutierrez at about 10:30pm on April 25 last year. At the time of the collision, Uddin was speeding at 41mph in a 30mph zone. Gutierrez was hit with such force that the vehicles windscreen was left shattered and he was sent flying 20 metres down the road. Uddin then drove off leaving the pensioner dying. Gutierrez was rushed to the Royal London Hospital where he sadly passed away two hours later. Uddin was later traced through his number plate. Uddin's lawyer, Kiera Chana said her client, who was driving a BMW, was indeed an Uber driver but was not on a job at the time of the incident.

The court heard that Uddin did speed off after the collision but "he simply did not see the deceased until the very last moment". Chana said her client attempted to avoid the collision but was unable to. Chana also told the court that Uddin has not driven for Uber since the incident and has been focusing on his relationship with his wife and two-year-old daughter who had moved out of their family home. Uddin, of Wilmington Gardens, denied causing death by careless driving and was found "not guilty" by a jury after five hours of deliberation. The family of the deceased were clearly visibly upset with the not guilty verdict. The key facts again: -Driving at 41mph in a 30mph zone. -Previous conviction for speeding.-Failing to stop at the scene of a traffic collision. -Was tracked down by his number plate.

Source of verdict: Barking and Dagenham Post.

July 09, 2018 at 10:18AM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Can TfL lawfully revoke licences for social media posts?

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We have recently seen reports on social media that some licensed driver’s have had letters from Transport for London (TfL) threatening to revoke licences for content posted by these drivers on social media.Can TfL lawfully revoke licences under these circumstances?Ultimately, TfL will need to show that a licence holder is no longer a “fit and proper” person to continue to be licensed.Freedom of speech is a fundamental principle of life in the UK. No citizen should have their freedoms unreasonably restricted or interfered with by a public authority.Licensed drivers must however be aware of the law relating to Defamation of Character. Defamation of Character is a legal term that is used to describe a false statement that is written or spoken about an individual – or an organisation – with the intent of harming their reputation.There are two different types of Defamation of Character; slander which is when someone verbally makes a false statement or libel when someone writes down or publishes a false statement with the intent of causing reputational harm.Without going into too much detail, Defamation of Character is difficult to prove because 1) it requires evidence – beyond reasonable doubt – that a statement was false or untrue and 2) then prove intent.It is important to remember however that a formal conviction is not necessary for TfL to act to revoke licences. You can read our article “Guilty until proven innocent” where we explain circumstances where a licensing authority can take action in the absence of conviction.We would urge licensed drivers to make sure that posts on social media are factual and true. Truth and fact can often be subjective especially if the issues relevant are complex and in dispute.We have to stress however that this does not mean that social media posts (or any other written record) can only be complimentary of TfL as a consequence.On the contrary, drivers should feel free to express their views, opinions and complaints in anyway they wish without fear of losing their licence. The important point is to bear in mind the law Defamation of Character.If you have had your licence revoked or face losing your licence, Taxi Defence Barristers can advise and represent you. Call us on 0207 060 1775.

July 09, 2018 at 10:14AM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Man charged after alleged threats with a knife on Taxi driver in Wimborne

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A man has been charged in relation to an incident in Wimborne in which it is alleged a taxi driver was threatened with a knife.At 11.52pm on Saturday 7 July 2018 it was reported that a male taxi driver had stopped at the BP petrol station on Wimborne Road to ask for directions when a man approached his car and threatened him through the open window with a knife. The taxi drove off and the driver was uninjured.A 38-year-old man from Wimborne has been charged with threatening a person with a blade / sharp pointed article in a public place, assault and affray. He is due to appear at Poole Magistrates’ Court today, Monday 9 July 2018.

July 09, 2018 at 10:12AM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Scenic 4* Sicily escape 4nts from £278pp - incl. flights, hotel & breakfast

Arrr mateys! Sizzling Sicily is up next. We've spotted good rates over at the gorgeous 4* Baia Taormina Grand Palace Hotel & Spa offering sweeping views of Taormina Bay, 2 pools, a wellness centre and wining and dining to die for. Breakfast is included in this holiday, with the option to upgrade to half board.… Cee POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT