Author: Blake Foster

The leader of Greenwich Council said he doesn’t “wake up and dream of selling car parks” but the assets must be sold to keep the council’s services going. Greenwich Council announced it had put three car parks—one near Plumstead High Street, another near Blackheath Standard and the final one near Charlton Village—up for public auction on November 25 as all three were underutilised and their sale would generate “essential revenue”. The land has been collectively listed at a price of just over £1.1m and all three will go under the hammer at midday on December 11. Upon the sale announcement,…

From paying, and being sensible on the escalators, to not smoking anywhere in the stations, there is a lot to know and rules to follow. Including one rule that for many is unknown but is something Tube users follow every day. However, if you were to break this rule, you could be left with a very large fine from Transport for London (TfL). The best trips start like this✨Take the Elizabeth line to @HeathrowAirport this festive period for smooth, comfortable journeys. pic.twitter.com/5whThiibQK — TfL (@TfL) December 2, 2025 The unknown London Underground rule you need to follow The ‘Keep within…

Despite being close to Croydon’s busy town centre, Addiscombe is often overlooked compared to other areas within the borough. Addiscombe has kept its own identity, with independent shops, leafy parks, and a quieter atmosphere that appeals to families and long-term residents. At the heart of Addiscombe is Lower Addiscombe Road, the area’s main high street filled with cafés, bakeries, grocers, and small local businesses. The high street has a friendly, neighbourhood tone, with many long-standing independents that keep the area feeling personal and connected. Trams run directly through Addiscombe, giving residents fast access to East Croydon, Beckenham, Elmers End, and…

Croydon Council has revealed its plans to utilise this money over the next two years to boost the borough’s connectivity, enhance growth, and improve opportunities for all. The plans span various areas, aiming to support the Croydon Growth Plan 2025 and Town Centre Vision. This investment will focus on better bus journeys, safer streets, and new pedestrian and cycle routes connecting Croydon’s green spaces. These plans will be in line with Executive Mayor of Croydon Jason Perry’s priorities of a cleaner, safer Croydon and restoring pride. The council’s cabinet has approved proposals for Croydon’s submission to Transport for London (TfL)…

The Arise political party, founded in August and backed by Jeremy Corbyn MP, held its first canvassing session in the Marlborough ward. The party is led by Pamela Fitzpatrick, a community campaigner, former councillor from 2014 to 2022 and 2024 Independent parliamentary candidate, and director of the Peace and Justice Project. Ms Fitzpatrick, who is standing as Arise’s lead candidate in Marlborough, said: “We’ll be out whether it’s raining or sunny because Harrow deserves better than what we’ve got. “Whether it’s Labour or Conservative in council or in government, we have the same thing: people are struggling in Harrow and…

Backed by local franchisee Shanu Subra, the new restaurant on Croydon Road opened this morning and will be open between 7am and 11pm. The new branch created around 85 new full and part-time jobs for people in the area. This is the seventh McDonald’s restaurant in Surrey owned by Mr Subra, who says that people are “at the heart” of his business. He said: “We are delighted to be opening a brand-new McDonald’s restaurant in Caterham and can’t wait to see local customers, both new and old, enjoy our services on offer. “People are at the heart of our business,…

A special event at St Alban’s Baby and Toddler group, involving local police officers and police dogs, raised money for the Metropolitan and City Police Orphans Fund. The event was organised by the Metropolitan Police Widows and Widowers Support Group for their fifth anniversary and was held at St Alban’s Church Hall. To raise money for the fund, the support group ran a raffle, started a GoFundMe page, and hosted an event that was attended by a police dog handler showcasing two police dogs Kilo and Dora. Sgt Matt Atkin, as well as officers from Elm Park safer neighbourhood team,…

The investigation continues into the death following police being called to The Wheatsheaf pub on Kingston Road on Tuesday (December 9) at around 3.30pm. A man in his 20s was found with injuries in an alleyway next to the pub and he was pronounced at the scene. Road closures and cordons were in place on Kingston Road and Chessington Road last night, but these have since been lifted earlier today (December 10). Surrey Police has said there will be an increased presence of officers in the area over the coming days.  Senior Investigating Officer, DCI Kimball Edey, said: “Our officers are…

Lina Piroli , 93,was admitted to Whittington Hospital in Islington on February 2 this year with a fractured spine after her fall at home – hours after she had been discharged from the same hospital. While Lina received the vital tests and treatment, she was not seen by the hospital’s geriatric team due to the shortage of beds, leaving her stuck in the “busy, noisy and frightening” limbo while her “pain, delirium and confusion” raged on. During her wait, test results revealed she had contracted an E.coli infection. It was only when a bed was found for Lina that doctors…

The mother of five, who lived between Dorset and North London, was treated at the National Hospital and University College Hospital and died in Camden today, two days before her 56th birthday. While working as a financial journalist, she wrote her first book The Tennis Party, which was published when she was just 26. Like her contemporaries and friends, Lisa Jewell, Jenny Colgan and JoJo Moyes, her popular brand of contemporary fiction was often dismissed as ‘chick lit’. But her romantic comedies, featuring real-life issues that combined wit, emotional depth and social insight, were loved by many and sold 50…