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Listening to @CarolineRussell talking about implications for tall buildings in the City of London as a result of Covid-19.
Social distancing means only one person per lift, per trip.
It would take 3 hours for the Cheesegrater to get all employees into the building.
Social distancing means only one person per lift, per trip.
It would take 3 hours for the Cheesegrater to get all employees into the building.
Enough City workers are able to work from home to keep big businesses running, but the effect of WfH has been devastating for small City businesses, sandwich shops, cafes, restaurants, etc.
Many likely to collapse immediately in September once furlough system is over.
Many likely to collapse immediately in September once furlough system is over.
TfL's funding has been absolutely broken by the loss of fare-box income, due to social distancing requirements on the Tube.
They've been bailed out for 6 months by the Johnson government, but this gives them an absolute whip hand over Khan, and the Tories will use this
They've been bailed out for 6 months by the Johnson government, but this gives them an absolute whip hand over Khan, and the Tories will use this
This means that TfL's Healthy Streets budget is completely frozen. There is a budget for 'Streetspace' that is now available, but essentially, TfL's funding is shot.
(Sources inside TfL tell me that many talented long term designers are quietly looking for new jobs...)
(Sources inside TfL tell me that many talented long term designers are quietly looking for new jobs...)
Caroline notes that TfL is the *only* major city transport agency in the world that doesn't receive direct funding from central government.
We have the last Tory government to thank for that disastrous decision.
We have the last Tory government to thank for that disastrous decision.
So so sum up, if you're asking why Sadiq Khan can't build your pet active travel project / junction refurb / tube line etc, it's because of
1. stupid funding decisions made in the past by the Tories, and
2. because TfL's funding has been catastrophically reduced by Covid-19.
1. stupid funding decisions made in the past by the Tories, and
2. because TfL's funding has been catastrophically reduced by Covid-19.
