Tonight:
4°c
Supporters of West Ham and Millwall football clubs fought ferociously last night in an encounter that comes all too soon after London's commitment to bid for the 2018 World Cup.
The pitch was invaded and there were vicious clashes outside the Upton Park ground. We have been here before.
No one wants to go back to the bad old days of 1980s hooliganism, when residents near London's football grounds dreaded home games and police were diverted from vital tasks to confront the thugs.
This resurgence of violence must be stamped out before the season gets much older. It appears that the police were prompt to make arrests last night.
However, tracking down the ringleaders is vital before expectations develop of a return to tit-for-tat aggression between rival supporters.
Though police handled the matter well on this occasion, the Met must ask whether more could have been done to prepare for the event at a time when the force faces close scrutiny over its handling of the climate change camp, which begins today.
It goes without saying that the clubs involved must cooperate fully.
This kind of violence tarnished English football for decades. There can be no question of any return to those days.
The Met and the clubs must do everything it takes to ensure that does not happen.
We need this link
Network Rail today announces its plans for a highspeed rail link to the North and Scotland. This is only a preliminary step towards services that could not operate much before 2025.
Important planning, financial and construction obstacles will have to be overcome to make the link between London and Birmingham, let alone any further connections to Manchester, the NorthEast and Scotland.
There will be disputes over the choice of a west coast rather than east coast route. But the potential is huge.
The super-fast Channel Tunnel link to Paris and Brussels showed what can be achieved. We reported recently on early use of the new 37-minute commuter services from Ashford in Kent to St Pancras International.
Such links can shrink the time-distance map of the UK to spectacular effect.
High-speed rail could vastly improve the prospects for regeneration of northern cities by connecting them better to London and the mainland Europe as well as taking cars off our crowded roads.
Fast rail could help relieve some of the pressures created by development and population increases in London and the South-East.
And crucially, better services could further reduce demand for flights within the UK.
Improvements could free up space at London's airports for those long-haul flights that are essential.
All this is in the future. Much political will - and money - will be needed to make it happen. But we welcome the first step.
A statesman's end
Senator Edward Kennedy, who has died aged 77, showed that there can be years of statesmanship and public service even after shame and disgrace.
The drowning of Mary Jo Kopechne at Chappaquiddick in 1969 might have been prevented if the Senator had reported his road accident earlier.
But this youngest brother of JFK persevered in public life, championing controversial causes such as same-sex marriage and gun control from an increasingly respected position in the Senate.
Derided in this country for his call for British troops to abandon Northern Ireland, he eventually found the moral authority to snub Gerry Adams following a notorious republican murder.
Teddy Kennedy lived to become a father figure to President Obama.
His contribution to the legacy of America's most famous political family was, over a long lifetime, one of real weight.
Reader views (3)
Mark South-East London,
I'm surprised at your 'beggers belief' comment
Brummies and Yam Yams have a ready welcome for all fans from St Andrews to Molineux an ideal area for the World Cup too be conncentrated. Pubs are freindly and accomadating and we have the same amenities as London. What else do you need?
- John, Birmingham, 26/08/2009 13:45
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John from Birmingham the hypocritical nature of your comments beggars belief!
- Mark, South-East London, 26/08/2009 11:04
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This is why the World Cup should be taken away from London and be played in the Midlands where a national stadium should have been built. London fans just cannot behave themselves. The World Cup Final at St Andrews ? now there's a thought.
- John, Birmingham, 26/08/2009 10:38
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