Government lifts ban on developing land reserved for bridge project axed in 2008
Transport minister Simon Lightwood described the safeguarding direction in relation to the axed Thames Gateway Bridge scheme in east London as an 'obstacle to much-needed development'.
The bridge would have connected Newham to Greenwich, but was scrapped by then-London mayor Boris Johnson in 2008, who said the capital should focus on 'projects that deliver real benefits for Londoners'.
Safeguarding is used to stop land from being developed in a way that would conflict with future schemes.
In a written statement to Parliament, Mr Lightwood wrote that the safeguarding direction for the Thames Gateway Bridge dated back to 1940, when 'the area's transport needs were very different'.
He went on: 'Since then, London's transport priorities have evolved, and over the decades we have seen major investments in London's river crossings – most notably the Dartford Crossing, and recently, the Silvertown Tunnel.
'The safeguarding directions therefore no longer align with the direction of transport policy or the evolving needs of this part of London.
'The continued safeguarding of this land has been an obstacle to much-needed development, and I am therefore lifting these directions.
'The Government is keen to deliver new homes and unlock economic opportunity, and we are taking steps to remove unnecessary barriers to progress.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
23 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Tech giant OpenAI signs deal with government to boost efficiency in public services
OpenAI has signed a deal with the government to use artificial intelligence (AI) in an effort to increase department efficiency. The new partnership will involve the ChatGPT creator exploring how AI can be used in areas such as education, justice, defence and security to make them "more efficient and effective". They will also explore investing in British AI infrastructure, such as data centres. Politics latest: Ministers want OpenAI to identify how advanced AI models could help improve services used by the public. Technology Secretary Peter Kyle said: "AI will be fundamental in driving the change we need to see across the country - whether that's in fixing the NHS, breaking down barriers to opportunity or driving economic growth. "This can't be achieved without companies like OpenAI, who are driving this revolution forward internationally. This partnership will see more of their work taking place in the UK." In an attempt to become a global AI hub, the government previously set out plans to invest £1 billion in infrastructure for AI development, with the plan to increase capacity 20-fold over the next five years. However, the creative industries have criticised their commitment to AI, which they say could be at the detriment of their jobs. Concerns around the amount of water needed to cool data centres and the amount of energy AI uses have also been raised as the government tries to tackle water shortages, pollution, and high energy bills. Read more:The wealth tax options Reeves could take to ease her fiscal bindUk gives final go-ahead to £38bn Sizewell C nuclear plant OpenAI, headed up by the American Sam Altman, also has plans to increase the size of its London office, which was the company's first international location two years ago. The government hopes the partnership will mean "world-changing" AI tech is developed in the UK. OpenAI will look to invest in and support AI "growth zones" across the UK, which will receive funding, the government said. Mr Altman said: "AI is a core technology for nation building that will transform economies and deliver growth. "Britain has a strong legacy of scientific leadership and its Government was one of the first to recognise the potential of AI through its AI Opportunities Action Plan. "Now, it's time to deliver on the plan's goals by turning ambition to action and delivering prosperity for all." The civil service already uses ChatGPT in its AI assistant, "Humphrey", to speed up admin tasks.
Yahoo
23 minutes ago
- Yahoo
HDM Energies and Paragon Bank launch £100m solar finance scheme
HDM Energies has announced a strategic partnership with FTSE 250 lender Paragon Bank, which will unlock up to £100 million in funding to support rooftop solar installations for UK small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The agreement marks what the two companies describe as a first in the UK asset finance sector: a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) tailored for SMEs. Backed by Paragon Bank, the facility enables businesses to install rooftop solar panels at no upfront cost, while accessing discounted, fixed-rate energy prices over terms of 10 to 25 years. 'This is a major milestone in our journey to 2.5GW of rooftop solar by 2030,' said Dan Rogers, founder of HDM Energies, who described the partnership as adding 'a strong layer of confidence for our customers'. The scheme includes a full site survey, with HDM Energies funding, installing and maintaining the solar system throughout the contract period. Customers pay only for the solar energy they use, at a predictable rate, and can benefit from lower energy costs from day one. Surplus energy not consumed on-site is exported to the National Grid. Rogers said the offering removes the burden of capital expenditure and addresses a market 'underserved by traditional energy providers'. He added that HDM's model was designed to deliver 'real value to businesses nationwide', citing support from installation partners and sister company HDM Solar, which supplies the hardware. Andy Craggs, Head of Green Energy Finance SME Lending at Paragon Bank, said the partnership reflects growing demand for clean energy solutions that offer both environmental and financial returns. 'Finding a way to unlock clean sustainable energy in the SME space is essential for the UK,' he said, adding that HDM's work is already generating 'immediate and tangible cost savings' across a range of sectors including manufacturing, education, and hospitality. The PPA model, both firms argue, signals a shift in asset finance — from transactional lending to long-term, impact-driven partnerships aligned with national net zero goals. "HDM Energies and Paragon Bank launch £100m solar finance scheme" was originally created and published by Leasing Life, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
23 minutes ago
- Yahoo
B&B HOTELS Announces Broad Corporate Travel Expansion with Cvent
Rapidly growing value hotel chain adopts Cvent's business transient solutions across key European markets, enhancing visibility and access for corporate buyers and travel managers LONDON, July 22, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--B&B HOTELS, one of Europe's fastest-growing hotel groups, has significantly expanded its collaboration with Cvent, a market-leading meetings, events, and hospitality technology provider. Building on the successful implementation of Cvent Business Transient (BT) in France, B&B HOTELS will now deploy the solution across its entire European portfolio, streamlining corporate travel sourcing in major markets including Germany, the UK, Spain, Italy, France, and the Benelux region. The expanded agreement positions Cvent's BT platform as the central hub for managing B&B HOTELS' corporate travel requests for proposals (RFPs), reinforcing the hotel group's commitment to supporting business travellers with flexible, cost-effective accommodation options across its robust 900-plus hotel portfolio. The latest Cvent Corporate Travel Manager Report highlights ongoing cost concerns across the segment, with most companies implementing various cost management strategies to minimize budget impact while prioritizing meetings that drive clear business outcomes. This strategic B&B HOTELS announcement brings substantial benefits to corporate travel buyers, TMCs, and travel consortia who often struggle to access economical hotel inventory at scale. With B&B HOTELS now fully integrated into the Cvent BT ecosystem, organizations can easily discover and invite its properties to participate in corporate RFPs—accelerating the sourcing process, increasing booking opportunities, and empowering buyers to secure competitive rates across a wider network of value-driven accommodations. "This global agreement with Cvent Transient is a pivotal step in our ambition to become the go-to value hotel brand for businesses of all sizes across Europe", said David Zimmer, Head of Loyalty and B2B at B&B HOTELS. "For corporate clients, this means easier access to our expanding network of modern, comfortable, and conveniently located hotels - now over 1,000, including contracted openings - all while ensuring they receive exceptional value and a productive trip. By leveraging Cvent's extensive RFP Publisher platform, we're not only making it easier for clients to partner with B&B HOTELS but also clearly demonstrating our commitment to meeting the evolving needs of the corporate travel sector. We're excited to make it simpler than ever for businesses to discover the smart choice and warm welcome that B&B HOTELS offer, ensuring their travellers enjoy a consistently high-quality and affordable stay." "We are thrilled to support B&B HOTELS in expanding and elevating their business transient program across Europe," said Graham Pope, Vice President of International Sales at Cvent. "Their commitment to corporate travel aligns perfectly with our mission to simplify and enhance the sourcing process for buyers and suppliers alike. Given today's budget-conscious environment, this announcement is a game-changer not only for B&B HOTELS, but for the broader industry as more value-focused hotel brands see the potential of our platform and vast global network to increase their share of corporate travel business." About B&B HOTELS B&B HOTELS is one of the largest and fastest-growing hotel groups in Europe. Founded in Brest in 1990, the Group has grown to a network of more than 900 hotels in 18 countries across Europe, the UK, USA and Brazil. Positioned in the value-for-money segment, B&B HOTELS is committed to offering its customers comfort and quality at the best possible price. B&B HOTELS continues this strong, dynamic growth in 2025 with the ambition to become the European leader in a new generation of value hotels, while continuing to guarantee the essentials and meet our customers' expectations for their everyday short stays: A comfortable bed. A generous breakfast. A well-thought-out room. Fast, reliable Wi-Fi. A sincere welcome. All at a fair price. B&B HOTELS is also actively committed to Corporate Social Responsibility. To meet consumer expectations and give credibility and transparency to its actions aimed at having a positive social and environmental impact, B&B HOTELS is now certified in sustainability by the independent organization SOCOTEC. Goldman Sachs has been the main shareholder of B&B HOTELS ( since 2019. About Cvent Cvent is a leading meetings, events, and hospitality technology provider with over 5,000 employees and more than 24,000 customers worldwide as of December 31, 2024. Founded in 1999, the company delivers a comprehensive event marketing and management platform and offers a global marketplace where event professionals collaborate with venues to create engaging, impactful experiences. Hotels and venues use Cvent's supplier and venue solutions to win more group and corporate travel business through Cvent's sourcing platforms. Cvent solutions optimize the event management value chain and have enabled clients around the world to manage millions of meetings and events. For more information, please visit View source version on Contacts For media inquiries, please contact: Sophie Villeneuve, for B&B Sharon Coleshill, for CventEmail: Mobile: +44 7810 508 990 Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
