Each week, Ben Hopkinson looks back at a serious, crazy, and happy news story from the past week.
Serious News
This year, there are set to be some changes taking place across the capital’s transport system.
The first is related to the London Underground, as new carriages are set to replace the older fleet from the 1970s on the Picadilly Line. As well as this, the power system, platform edges and peak time frequency are all set to see an improvement too.
Oxford Street is also set to see some changes as the ownership changed hands from Westminster City Council to TfL in September of last year. On the Mayor of London’s agenda is to see a pedestrianised area between Orchard Street and Great Portland Street – this is still a way off, but the motion of events could begin in the latter half of the year.
One final change is to do with the congestion charge. The standard rate has increased from £15 to £18 if paid in advance or on the day of travel, while the payment for the three days after has risen to £21. If you are a Congestion Charge Residents' Discount holder, the 90% reduction will apply and pay the day rate of £1.80.
If you drive an electric car, you will also see a discount of 25% on the daily rate if registered on Auto Pay, a cost of £13.50, while there is also a 50% discount on electric vans, HGVs, and quadricycles on Auto Pay at £9.
Crazy News
Lego have announced Smart Bricks, filled with technology and responsive to its movement and brings your creation to life with lights and sounds.
It was unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show, in Las Vegas, as the Danish company calls it the “most revolutionary innovation” in half a century.
Julia Goldin, Lego’s chief product and marketing officer, says that digital technology would “expand physical play and physical building”, adding “We don't look at the digital world as a threat”.
However, Josh Golin, of Fairplay (a children’s wellbeing group), argues that the technology “undermines what was once great about Lego. Children's Lego creations already do move and make noises through the power of children's imaginations”.
Happy News
A new scheme has been launched in advance for the end of the year to help reduce waste of Christmas trees.
London Christmas Tree Rental is trying to eradicate the waste of seven million Christmas trees ending up in landfill across the UK. Jonathan Mears, founder of the company, explains: “You can rent via our website, pick your dates, come along to one of the hubs to choose your tree, water it, bring it back, and then it grows on”.
There are four hubs across London – Dulwich, Chelsfield Hall Farm, Brentford FC and Thames Ditton.
Comments
Add a comment