Gateway Digital - May Edition

Arguably the biggest news of the month - and possibly the year - was the official start of work on Crossrail. London Mayor Boris Johnson (whose job was once described by his predecessor Ken Livingstone as the second best in British politics) was joined by the Prime Minister Gordon Brown at Canary Wharf on 15 May to ceremoniously drive the first pile for the £16bn project.

Yet deep uncertainty still surrounds the project’s funding. Planning expert Professor Sir Peter Hall, proclaimed the mayor is “staring at a black hole... Its name is Crossrail”. Meanwhile the Guardian reported that Johnson has asked transport secretary Geoff Hoon to get planning bodies in east and south-east England to contribute to the new line. This may bring in contributions from non-London developers who are set to benefit from Crossrail, including potentially a number of Thames Gateway projects.

TOP STORIES THIS MONTH: 

• Eco-region ambitions received a welcome boost...
• Funding for the 2012 athletes’ village will come entirely from the public purse...
• Champagne corks popping in Medway...

RELATED LINKS:

• Barking ‘creative industries quarter’ gets green light
• Mayor agrees affordable home targets with 21 London boroughs
• Andrews calls for drastic action to save urban regeneration
• Banks invited to bid for slice of £400m housing fund
• All set for change in Swale, says Audit Commission
• £10m college boost creates 50 jobs
• Medway considers Hollywood style sign plan

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