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1168 stories from and about London, mostly council & politics, transport & tfl, crime & safety. The most recent ran on 30 October 2026. Page 5 of 59.
Walthamstow Marshes has again been awarded a gold accolade at the London in Bloom Awards. It is one of six sites within Lee Valley Regional Park to achieve this highest recognition, a status they have maintained for ten consecutive years.
Homes valued at more than £2 million are significantly less likely to sell than less expensive properties, according to new analysis. The findings come amid concerns about the impact of Labour's planned mansion tax, due to be introduced in April 2028.
A Surbiton couple have lost a four-year legal battle over a 48cm strip of land after a judge ruled their neighbours' kitchen extension had acquired rights through adverse possession. The extension, built in the early 1980s, encroached onto land belonging to the neighbouring property.
Over 40 bin collectors in Havering are set to strike for five days from October 26 to October 30. The Unite union said the action by loaders and drivers, employed by FCC Waste Management, is due to unaddressed concerns over workloads, fatigue, and pay disparities with neighbouring boroughs.
Transport for London (TfL) will increase bus and tram fares by 10p from November 1, raising the adult single fare to £1.85. The daily bus and tram cap will also rise. Tube and rail fares remain unchanged until March 2027.
Greater Anglia has secured an £800 million maintenance contract with Alstom for its fleet of 133 Class 720 Aventra trains. The 15-year deal will cover the trains until the early 2040s and supports around 100 jobs at the Seven Kings depot.
A collision on the M25 caused a partial closure of the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge at the Dartford Crossing. National Highways confirmed the bridge has reopened but warned of lingering delays.
Deepak Sandhu has been found guilty of murdering Xiaoqing Ke at an Airbnb in Earl's Court. The 24-year-old killed Ms Ke after she discovered he had stolen £500 from her. He was arrested attempting to flee the country and will be sentenced on Friday.
Havering Council has approved a new £1.4 million lane rental scheme that will charge firms daily fees for roadworks causing closures. The policy, passed at a cabinet meeting, aims to reduce disruption and encourage better planning, with revenues earmarked for staff and road maintenance.
The FTSE 100 index rose 1.1% on Thursday, driven by positive UK economic figures and a calmer bond market. Despite volatility in technology stocks, the UK economy demonstrated resilience with unexpected growth in August.
Thames Water has requested an additional £2.4bn from its creditors, warning it will not survive until early 2027 without the funds. The company, serving 16 million customers, has a £20bn debt pile and has already drawn down £2.65bn of a previous £3bn lifeline.
London Ambulance Service data reveals a 20% rise in cardiac arrests during winter compared to summer months over the past two years. Paramedics are urging residents to learn CPR and how to use a defibrillator, as early intervention significantly increases survival chances.
The London Assembly's transport committee has concluded it lacks sufficient evidence to support the introduction of autonomous passenger services in London. A recent survey indicates public opposition outweighs support, raising concerns about safety, congestion, and job displacement.

A new NHS genomics laboratory has opened in London, aiming to enhance cancer diagnostics and treatments through advanced testing. The Royal Marsden Centre for Cancer Genomics is pioneering composite biomarker testing, which uses AI to create a detailed picture of a patient's cancer for more tailored care.
A St John Ambulance volunteer cut a woman's bra to place defibrillator pads after she suffered a cardiac arrest at Kingston-upon-Thames Guildhall. Peter McLauglin's actions highlight a new campaign by the charity addressing fears that deter men from performing CPR on women.
Mayoral hopeful Festus Akinbusoye has proposed a plan to offer subsidised housing for Metropolitan Police officers and other key workers for the first three years of their careers in London. The proposal aims to address high rental costs pushing essential staff out of the capital.
The FTSE 100 Index finished Wednesday with a gain of 74.53 points, reaching 10,724.86. This rise occurred despite a hotter-than-expected US inflation report, as Bank of England chief economist Huw Pill suggested fewer interest rate hikes might be necessary.
Palantir withdrew its High Court action after the Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime refused a £50 million contract. The Metropolitan Police now faces a 1,150‑post reduction, with half of those cuts expected to be carried out by AI tools, a change that could affect policing services across Barnet and the wider capital.
A YouGov poll released in October 2026 found that 67% of London adults would vote to rejoin the European Union, compared with 44‑50% in other English regions. The result follows calls from the mayor and Labour MPs for a second referendum.
Brickfields level crossing near Upminster has been closed since 30 September 2026 due to dangerous behaviour by children and teenagers. Network Rail will not reopen the crossing until all local school year groups have received safety presentations from Network Rail and British Transport Police.
Borough-wide and national stories that name London or bear directly on it.
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.
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.
A high PCR positivity rate reported in Islington is not a reliable indicator of COVID-19 prevalence due to low testing volumes, the council has stated. While cases have risen, they are similar to last year's autumn figures.
Wandsworth Council's Conservative leadership is reviewing Labour's masterplan for the Alton Estate regeneration. The plan, supported by 82% of residents in a ballot, proposes significant increases in affordable housing but faces financial challenges.
Police are conducting a city‑wide search for Anthony Lloyd, who fled a Lewisham health unit on Friday afternoon. He is described as a risk to himself and others. Residents are urged to call 999 and avoid contact.
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