Croydon Blog - Local News and Views for Croydon

3rd November 2008

Make the train take the strain by David CallamNETWORK Rail is to receive £27 billion over the next five years to improve the efficiency of our train services.Among other major projects, the money includes an allocation to complete work on the Thameslink se

23rd October 2008

RECESSION is a reality: if it hasn't arrived already, it's certainly on its way.The prime minister says so, as does the governor of The Bank of England. And it's likely to be with us for a year or two - so what can we do about it?Even the most pessimistic

One or two less for the road - by David Callam

17th October 2008

SOME British town centres resemble outpost of the Wild West on a Saturday night: that's the conclusion of a new report from the Police Federation.While the report doesn't name names, it talks about the unintended consequences of round-the-clock drinking an

3rd October 2008

NEWSPAPER production is still a fascinating topic for many outside the trade, despite the increasing dominance of digital media.Even young people are more enthusiastic about developing a printed product than an immediate but less tangible web-site.Personal

Corporate manslaughter and homicide - by Dominic Maree, JM Safety Group

3rd October 2008

It has been six months since the introduction of the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007. Let me recap on the key elements of the legislation and its effect of businesses. Organisations are now, for the first time, at risk from prosecuti

Use the system for the common good - by David Callam

25th September 2008

THE INTRICACIES of the present economic maelstrom are quite beyond me.But I do have the uncomfortable feeling that unless we're all very careful we're about to be sacrificed on the altar of big money.If I understand the rescue proposals correctly, the bank

Come fly with me - by David Callam

19th September 2008

FELLOW Croydon travellers: have you heard the good news. The dead hand of monopoly is about to be lifted from the throat of Gatwick Airport.BAA, a former government regulator, privatised as a virtual monopoly, has decided to jump before the Competition Com

It's not all paper talk, Commander - by David Callam

11th September 2008

KNIFE crime in Croydon has increased by almost six incidents a month, according to official figures.Within the past week Detective Superintendent David Palmer has been forced to report that an additional 69 offences involving knives took place in the borou

Rehearse your off-the-cut remarks - by David Callam

4th September 2008

LET ME share with you the first exchanges of a short conversation I had this week with someone I haven't seen for a couple of years."Hello David. Are you enjoying retirement?""I'm not retired""Oh dear, can't you afford to retire?"I will refrain from naming

Consider the leagcy of the trolley bus - by David Callam

4th September 2008

LONG before the Olympic flame arrives in Stratford and for many years afterwards, Croydon will be feeling the benefit of the 2012 London Games.And with a little ingenuity and some political leadership the advantages to the whole of south London could be ev