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1177 stories from and about London, mostly council & politics, transport & tfl, local news. The most recent ran on 31 October 2026. Page 11 of 59.
A burst water main in West Molesey, Surrey, caused a significant outage affecting thousands of homes and several schools across five London boroughs and parts of Surrey. Thames Water engineers isolated the pipe, and a bottled water station was set up.
An event offering residents the chance to discover their African name based on their birthdate will be held at Wood Green Customer Service Centre. The free event includes snacks and aims to bring together African and African Caribbean communities.
Shares in major UK housebuilders experienced significant gains following the government's announcement of the 'Your First Home' initiative. The programme aims to make new-build properties more accessible to first-time buyers with a reduced deposit requirement and government equity loans.
Five men in their twenties from London were arrested in Whelford, Gloucestershire, after a farmer reported three vans and masked individuals near RAF Fairford. A 400‑metre cordon forced 85 households to leave their homes overnight while bomb disposal teams examined the scene.
Three men have been sentenced to a total of 25 years in prison for their role in a large-scale operation smuggling stolen mobile phones from London to China. The group trafficked approximately 40 per cent of all stolen phones exported from the capital to China in 2024 and 2025.
A new MRP survey by More in Common indicates Labour will retain 52 of its 59 parliamentary seats in London. The poll suggests the Green Party will not win any seats in the capital, while the Conservatives are projected to gain five.
An Ofsted inspection in April 2026 gave Henry Green Primary School in Green Lane, Dagenham a strong standard rating in four categories and an expected standard in three others. Pupils now exceed national Year 6 results, the report says.
Lime's UK arm reported a significant increase in both users and profits for 2025. The company's sales reached £148m, and profits more than doubled to £4.7m, as average monthly users grew by 31% to approximately 700,000.
Havering has been named the second most peaceful borough in Greater London according to a study by SAM Conveyancing. The borough scored 56.5 out of 100, ranking 123rd nationally, with low crime rates and minimal exposure to road and rail noise contributing to its high placement.
A fatal collision in Chase Side, Enfield, has resulted in the death of a 48-year-old man and left a 31-year-old man in a life-threatening condition. A 32-year-old woman has been arrested as enquiries continue.
Richmond upon Thames has been recognised as the UK's healthiest area according to ZAVA's 2026 Healthy Habit Index. The study analysed factors including obesity, physical activity, smoking, alcohol consumption, and proximity of fast food outlets to gyms.
London’s bankers and lawyers collected more than £1bn in advisory fees in 2026 as UK merger activity jumped 175% to £100bn. JP Morgan led the advisory market, while the Intertek deal alone is set to generate over £370m in fees.
Four men received prison terms of 13 to 22 years after Snaresbrook Crown Court found them guilty of conspiracy to import about 600 kg of cocaine concealed in frozen fish destined for Billingsgate Market. The operation was described by the Met as industrial‑scale and valued at over £20 million.
With Heathrow Airport planning significant expansion, Transport for London is questioning the future of the Heathrow Express. The premium service faces scrutiny over its passenger numbers, fares, and use of limited rail capacity, with alternatives like the Elizabeth line offering a more affordable option.
London Stadium LLP, owned by the GLA, has asked Newham Council to lift its limit on concerts from ten to twenty‑four a year. Assembly member Bassam Mahfouz has called on Mayor Sadiq Khan to sell the venue to West Ham United, citing a £19 million annual deficit and a £2.5 million rent arrangement that he says harms the public purse.
A coroner has issued a report highlighting safety concerns after a 90-year-old woman died following a fall in a Teddington care home. Joan Murphy was unable to reach an emergency call bell or wear a personal alarm when she fell.
Developers in London are increasingly avoiding leasehold properties, opting for Build to Rent, co-living, and student accommodation instead. This shift, driven by affordability issues and market stagnation, is changing the landscape of new housing developments across the capital.
Londoners can expect a dry and sunny Saturday with temperatures reaching approximately 21°C. Sunday will be warmer, with highs of 22°C to 23°C, but carries a higher chance of rain later in the day.
Operation Echosteep dismantled what officials call the UK’s biggest phone‑smuggling ring. Police seized more than 10,000 devices, arrested three men and secured nine‑and‑a‑half‑year sentences, while recorded phone thefts dropped 20% in the year to August 2026.
Up to 70 per cent of Metropolitan Police officers have not completed mandatory data protection training. The Information Commissioner's Office has issued an enforcement notice requiring improvements within three months, following several data disclosure incidents.
Borough-wide and national stories that name London or bear directly on it.
High rents, business rates, and reduced bus services are identified as primary drivers weakening Oxford Street. Experts suggest the current approach of pedestrianisation and the impact of Crossrail have worsened the situation, with calls for central government intervention.
Lewisham Council rejected a cross‑borough plan for 802 homes on either side of Deptford Creek in late September 2026. Greenwich approved its part on 13 October, but the mayor will not use his powers to reverse the decision. The development offers only 24 affordable units, 5 % of the total, and the Secretary of State may still intervene.
Westminster recorded the highest number of hate crime offences in London during September 2026, with 120 incidents. Across the capital, 1,868 offences were logged. Transport for London is providing free bystander training in response to rising incidents on its network.
A fatal incident on the tracks at Cannon Street station on 28 October 2026 led British Transport Police to declare the victim dead at the scene. Transport for London halted sections of the District, Circle and Hammersmith & City lines until about 7 pm, leaving commuters facing long delays.
Lewisham Council has approved a new housebuilding strategy focused on supporting community groups and housing co-operatives to deliver more affordable homes. This initiative gains importance after Landsec abandoned plans for the Lewisham Shopping Centre, which would have provided approximately 1,700 homes.
Camden Council confirmed the car‑free status of Camden High Street will become permanent at the end of October 2026 following an 18‑month trial funded by Transport for London. The move costs £10,000 to administer and includes a new northbound bus lane on Kentish Town Road to cut bus delays.
Wandsworth Council will issue an enforcement notice requiring 113 Gassiot Road in Tooting Bec to cease unauthorised short-term holiday lets. The property was found listed on Airbnb and Booking.com, letting for over 90 nights.
In a Southwark Crown Court hearing, Russell Brand asserted that his history of public kissing and casual encounters has been wrongly portrayed as rape and sexual assault. He denied all six charges, and a charge of indecent assault was altered to attempted indecent assault.
The death of Stephen Nuth, 51, in HMP Pentonville prompted an inquest that blamed a nurse’s failure to read his medical notes. The coroner’s report has pushed the North London NHS Foundation Trust to amend its policy on reviewing records before inmate assessments.
Wandsworth Council has agreed to allocate £30,000 towards a statue of John Archer, London's first Black mayor. The decision has drawn criticism from Labour councillors, who argue the funds could be better used for services, especially with a proposed 94 per cent council tax increase.
A jury at Southwark Crown Court convicted former police officer Mark Tyrrell of rape, three sexual assaults and perverting the course of justice on 27 October 2026. He remains in custody, will be sentenced on 16 December, and the Met Police may seek to strip his pension.
Anthony Lloyd, 38, escaped from a Lewisham medical facility on 23 October 2026. The Metropolitan Police confirmed on 27 October 2026 that he remains at large and is considered a risk to the public.
Camden Council has confirmed that the pedestrian zone on Camden High Street, introduced as an 18‑month trial, will become permanent. The decision follows a consultation where 57% of respondents backed the move, while the council also plans a design test for an extension over Camden Lock Bridge and a trial bus lane on Kentish Town Road.
The Standard recorded 51 cyclists travelling through Oxford Street’s newly pedestrianised stretch on 27 October 2026. TfL says breaches can attract fines of up to £160, reduced to £80 if paid within two weeks, and is trialling geofencing with dockless operators to limit e‑bike access.
Wandsworth Council is hosting a free meeting on 10 November at All Saints Church, Putney, to brief residents on Heathrow Airport’s third‑runway plans. Over 400 daily overflights have been recorded in Battersea, and the council will use community input for its response to the consultation running until 22 December.
Police were called to Frances Street in Woolwich at 8:09 pm on 22 October after a 32‑year‑old man was shot inside a parked car. The victim remains in critical condition, and detectives are urging anyone with information to contact the Met.
TfL is considering making Angel station exit‑only during evenings and weekends from November and is also studying a full closure that could last up to a year. Local traders and the Islington Council leader warn the move would hurt businesses, while TfL says no decision has been taken yet.
From 26 October a stretch of Oxford Street in Westminster became vehicle‑free. Deliveries may occur only between midnight and 07:00, while emergency services keep full access. The mayor and TfL say the change will be monitored and the street will gain trees, squares and new seating by spring 2027.
A significant section of Oxford Street, between Orchard Street and Great Portland Street, has been pedestrianised. The move aims to revitalise the area, boost economic growth, and create a greener environment, though some concerns about traffic diversion have been raised.
A man has died after a tree fell onto a vehicle in Finchley. The incident occurred on Nether Street, which was subsequently closed between Abercorn Road and Crescent Road. Emergency services attended the scene.
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