I'm wondering about a trip to this Herefordshire guest house, about 4 miles from Ledbury where there's a railway station. It sleeps 9-10 and is run by cyclists Anne and Mark Brazier. They've sent me some information leaflets which I've scanned and will upload to the web when I think of a way to do it. The current B&B rates are £35-£42 pppn depending on whether you share a room and how many nights you stay, but we should be able to get a group rate a bit lower.
Evening meals are available at the house (3 courses £22.50) as are lighter meals (£9.95). The house is licensed for drinks with meals. I'm not sure what the pub grub options are, at the moment, but the nearest pub seems to be 2.1 miles away in Trumpet.
From a quick enquiry the cheapest London-Ledbury train fare I could see was £41 return (with a railcard of course).
Attractions and activities nearby (not checked for cycleability) include: Coddington Vineyard, Eastnor Castle, Hellens Manor (late 13th C), National Birds of Prey Centre, Newbridge Farm Park, The Picton Garden, The Shambles Victorian Village, The Three Choirs Vineyard, Westons Cider.
In Ledbury itself there's: Butcher Row House Folk Museum, 16th Century painted room, Barrett-Browning Institute, Glayzydays Ceramic Cafe, Guide walks (wot no bike rides?), Ledbury Heritage Centre, Ledbury Leisure Centre (sports/gym), Ledbury Swimming Pool (with sauna sunbeds and fitness suite).
Expressions of interest to Colin, please. (Don't ask when we're going - I'm only finding out who's interested. No committment at this stage - don't say "no" for the sake of dates, answer assuming the dates are suitable. You're welcome to say when you'd like to go - time of year / how long for, etc.)
Friday 30 May 2008
Thursday 29 May 2008
Free Gym for a day, 15% off bikes
The Barking and Dagenham Post (28 May, page 16) has an ad for Everyone Active, which seems to be a barnd for local authority run sports and leisure facilities. To celebrate Bike Week anyone who joins in June will get a 15% discount off bikes and bike stuff in Halfords.
They're also giving away a free day of Gym use for two people, but to get the pass you have to buy a copy of the Post at the Barking and Dagenham Fun Run on Sunday 1 June, at Eastbrookend Country Park.
Not to be out-done, Gold's Gym Dagenham is offering a free 1 day pass (page 6) - but act fast as it's only valid till the end of May!
They're also giving away a free day of Gym use for two people, but to get the pass you have to buy a copy of the Post at the Barking and Dagenham Fun Run on Sunday 1 June, at Eastbrookend Country Park.
Not to be out-done, Gold's Gym Dagenham is offering a free 1 day pass (page 6) - but act fast as it's only valid till the end of May!
New A13 bus bridge at Ship and Shovel - and cycle bridge?
The Barking and Dagenham Post (May 28, p 24) has an item about this proposal to build a "bus bridge and cycle path ... over the A13". Head of Spatial Regeneration Jeremy Grint is quoted as saying "it will be a bus lane only with a cycle path leaving the junction with Renwick Road towards Goresbrook." That isn't clear. Don't worry too much at the moment though as work is not expected to start until 2014. Even so it could help to reduce the severance that the A13 causes.
Jeremy Grint added: "At the moment TfL are proposing a bridge over the A13 from Renwick Road which will become a segregated bus, cycle and pedestrian route when it hits Castle Green . It then proceeds across Castle Green to Goresbrook Rd roughly along the alignment of the existing footpath."
Jeremy Grint added: "At the moment TfL are proposing a bridge over the A13 from Renwick Road which will become a segregated bus, cycle and pedestrian route when it hits Castle Green . It then proceeds across Castle Green to Goresbrook Rd roughly along the alignment of the existing footpath."
Regeneration Roadshow
http://www.barking-dagenham.gov.uk/5-work/regeneration/roadshow/venues.html
The Barking and Dagenham Post carries a full page ad for this (page 25) pointing out that the central Barking episode was on Tuesday 27 May, the day before the paper was published! Brilliant. The council's website (when I checked it just now) desn't have a central Barking venue listed!
The Barking and Dagenham Post carries a full page ad for this (page 25) pointing out that the central Barking episode was on Tuesday 27 May, the day before the paper was published! Brilliant. The council's website (when I checked it just now) desn't have a central Barking venue listed!
Wantz Library to close? New Rush Green Library?
The Barking and Dagenham Post (May 28, p 11) reports on plans to close Wantz Library and build a new Library at Rush Green on the site of Barking College *. The usual complainers are there saying how it will be further for them to go, without mentioning the idea that the new library will be NEARER for some people. One person even said "libraries should be within walking distance". I'm not sure how far she means by that, but I'm sure it would mean a lot more libraries than the 12 we have now.
There is a Library at Rush Green, though, which I assume will also be closed - the Post says the new library "will replace an older branch" [my emphasis]. Perhaps they've got it wrong. There will also of course be the new library at Heathway. And so the plot thickens, because the council website says that "library will replace a couple of smaller libraries in Dagenham" [my emphasis]
* Barking College, Dagenham Road, ROMFORD - my favourite confusing address!
There is a Library at Rush Green, though, which I assume will also be closed - the Post says the new library "will replace an older branch" [my emphasis]. Perhaps they've got it wrong. There will also of course be the new library at Heathway. And so the plot thickens, because the council website says that "library will replace a couple of smaller libraries in Dagenham" [my emphasis]
* Barking College, Dagenham Road, ROMFORD - my favourite confusing address!
St Awdry's Walk - "Peto Alley" - update
http://stibasa.blogspot.com/2008/05/st-awdrys-walk-peto-alley.html
The Barking and Dagenham Post reports (28 May, p 7) that local residents have fought off the council's silly idea of block of Peto Alley ("St Awdry's Way" as they incorrectly call it - they mean "Walk"). "Other means of curbing anti-social behaviour will now be looked into".
Good.
The Barking and Dagenham Post reports (28 May, p 7) that local residents have fought off the council's silly idea of block of Peto Alley ("St Awdry's Way" as they incorrectly call it - they mean "Walk"). "Other means of curbing anti-social behaviour will now be looked into".
Good.
Wednesday 28 May 2008
BAD BMX
Barking and Dagenham ("BAD") BMX club is based at the BMX track in Old Dagenham Park near Siviter Way. Not really stibasa's sort of cycling, but a great way to use bikes (and stay out of trouble).
http://www.badbmx.com/
http://www.badbmx.com/
Barking Central
http://www.ahmm.co.uk/projects/doing/doing_barking_central_ii.php
"Barking Central I involved the construction and fit out of a new library framed by a colonnade and topped by two parallel housing blocks separated by a communal residential roof garden and the creation of an open and a wooded public square designed by Muf. Barking Central II will complete the masterplan by connecting the colonnade to the existing street and shopping centre by way of a ‘bike’ store and shop building. An eighteen story tower, an office and two further residential buildings reset the new wooded square in an open frame, close off some backs and reintroduce historical routes and connections."
I'm looking for news of the 'bike' store.
"Barking Central I involved the construction and fit out of a new library framed by a colonnade and topped by two parallel housing blocks separated by a communal residential roof garden and the creation of an open and a wooded public square designed by Muf. Barking Central II will complete the masterplan by connecting the colonnade to the existing street and shopping centre by way of a ‘bike’ store and shop building. An eighteen story tower, an office and two further residential buildings reset the new wooded square in an open frame, close off some backs and reintroduce historical routes and connections."
I'm looking for news of the 'bike' store.
Thames Gateway Bridge
Not exactly new news - I've been going through my large backlog of items:
The six lane Thames Gateway Bridge has been rejected following a public inquiry, which finished on 23 May 2006. It is suspected that the Government is trying to bury the news by publishing it today at the end of the Parliamentary session after sitting on the decision since last October.
While environmental groups such as Friends of the Earth and Transport 2000 put the public transport and environmental arguments and local residents their concerns of motor traffic generation, LCC used its expertise to work with them to highlight the issues affecting what TfL dismissed as the "slow modes" - cycling and walking - and helped mount a very strong and comprehensive case.
All were helped by support from Greens on the London Assembly who used their budget veto to secure funding for experts to contest TfL's technical evidence. LCC was the only objector to be represented by a barrister and had the support of national cyclists organisation CTC plus the latest research from Sustrans. LCC had opposed the TGB's predecessor in 1992 which would have also cut through Oxleas Wood but this was the first time LCC appeared at a public inquiry. TfL's claims that the bridge would "maximise walking and cycling" and included a "dedicated cycleway" were soundly rubbished by showing that it would result in a reduction in journeys walked or cycling and that the cycleway was in fact an obstacle course shared with pedestrians that had a maximum speed of 10mph.
The full inspector's report could prove useful to campaigners, particularly cycling groups, fighting road schemes across the country. In particular TfL's plans for a road tunnel at Silvertown is now likely to hit the buffers.
All inquiry documents are at: www.persona.uk.com/thamesgateway
Hazel Blears plans to reopen the public inquiry. This will be an uphill struggle given increasing awareness of climate change by the general public and planning guidelines not to mention the fact that one of the local councils has gone from Labour to Tory and now opposes the bridge. It is very rare that major road schemes are rejected in inquiries and shows the Government's contempt for due process that it is trying to press it through a second time. Another inquiry would cost millions, which could be spent on attractive bridges for cyclists and pedestrians only, such as the winking Millenium Bridge in Gateshead.
The six lane Thames Gateway Bridge has been rejected following a public inquiry, which finished on 23 May 2006. It is suspected that the Government is trying to bury the news by publishing it today at the end of the Parliamentary session after sitting on the decision since last October.
While environmental groups such as Friends of the Earth and Transport 2000 put the public transport and environmental arguments and local residents their concerns of motor traffic generation, LCC used its expertise to work with them to highlight the issues affecting what TfL dismissed as the "slow modes" - cycling and walking - and helped mount a very strong and comprehensive case.
All were helped by support from Greens on the London Assembly who used their budget veto to secure funding for experts to contest TfL's technical evidence. LCC was the only objector to be represented by a barrister and had the support of national cyclists organisation CTC plus the latest research from Sustrans. LCC had opposed the TGB's predecessor in 1992 which would have also cut through Oxleas Wood but this was the first time LCC appeared at a public inquiry. TfL's claims that the bridge would "maximise walking and cycling" and included a "dedicated cycleway" were soundly rubbished by showing that it would result in a reduction in journeys walked or cycling and that the cycleway was in fact an obstacle course shared with pedestrians that had a maximum speed of 10mph.
The full inspector's report could prove useful to campaigners, particularly cycling groups, fighting road schemes across the country. In particular TfL's plans for a road tunnel at Silvertown is now likely to hit the buffers.
All inquiry documents are at: www.persona.uk.com/thamesgateway
Hazel Blears plans to reopen the public inquiry. This will be an uphill struggle given increasing awareness of climate change by the general public and planning guidelines not to mention the fact that one of the local councils has gone from Labour to Tory and now opposes the bridge. It is very rare that major road schemes are rejected in inquiries and shows the Government's contempt for due process that it is trying to press it through a second time. Another inquiry would cost millions, which could be spent on attractive bridges for cyclists and pedestrians only, such as the winking Millenium Bridge in Gateshead.
London Cycle Maps on your mobile phone
http://www.bikeradar.com/news/article/london-cycle-maps-on-your-mobile-phone-16556
"A special edition of A-Z’s digital London Mini Street Atlas which includes Transport for London’s cycle route information has just been launched.
The digital map operates on a mobile phone or a GPS device and covers 150 square miles from Wanstead to Wimbledon and Brent Cross to Eltham. It has a searchable index of more than 129,000 entries, including streets, postcodes, districts, stations, hospitals and bike shops. Clicking an entry in the search results field will quickly display a map showing its location.
Used with a GPS receiver, the map moves to keep the cyclist['s position] at the centre of the screen. Current speed and the direction and distance to a chosen destination are also shown."
"A special edition of A-Z’s digital London Mini Street Atlas which includes Transport for London’s cycle route information has just been launched.
The digital map operates on a mobile phone or a GPS device and covers 150 square miles from Wanstead to Wimbledon and Brent Cross to Eltham. It has a searchable index of more than 129,000 entries, including streets, postcodes, districts, stations, hospitals and bike shops. Clicking an entry in the search results field will quickly display a map showing its location.
Used with a GPS receiver, the map moves to keep the cyclist['s position] at the centre of the screen. Current speed and the direction and distance to a chosen destination are also shown."
Tuesday 27 May 2008
London Cycling Guides Revision
Make sure you are using the latest edition for corrections / amendments, please, though you may like to use the grid from the former versions for ease of reference.
====
From Dr N Veena – Transport for London Cycle Maps Project (slightly edited)
The new 3rd edition of the London Cycling Guides produced by TfL in partnership with the London Cycling Campaign has been a very successful cycling product and has generated a much increased demand since its launch in August 2007. The underlying street survey information has also now been used to update cycling Journey Planner on the TfL website.
CWA is keen to keep this product as accurate as possible to maximise its usefulness to new and continuing cyclists in London and therefore plan to produce an updated version in time for Spring 2009.
Therefore, we are asking you to have a look at the current Guides and TfL Journey Planner and send us details of any errors or omissions in the recommended routes. If you are responsible or aware of road schemes which have been improved for cyclists since the last survey in December 2006, please let us know so we can consider including them in our recommended routes. We are particularly keen to ensure that all the routes we are recommending are legal for cycling, so that we can fulfil our duty of care obligations. You can feedback to us on the Guides by:
(a) Completing the error form on Journey Planner https://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/roadusers/cycling/cycleroutes/Contact.aspx
(b) Marking the location and nature of the suggestion/error on the relevant map and sending this to veena.natarajan@tfl.gov.uk for ongoing collation
(c) Emailing a summary of the suggestion/error to veena.natarajan@tfl.gov.uk for ongoing collation.
Please forward this to anyone would be interested in inputting to the update and send your comments via the above methods preferably by 30th June 2008 and if not by 12 July.
Thank you for your assistance with this project.
====
From Dr N Veena – Transport for London Cycle Maps Project (slightly edited)
The new 3rd edition of the London Cycling Guides produced by TfL in partnership with the London Cycling Campaign has been a very successful cycling product and has generated a much increased demand since its launch in August 2007. The underlying street survey information has also now been used to update cycling Journey Planner on the TfL website.
CWA is keen to keep this product as accurate as possible to maximise its usefulness to new and continuing cyclists in London and therefore plan to produce an updated version in time for Spring 2009.
Therefore, we are asking you to have a look at the current Guides and TfL Journey Planner and send us details of any errors or omissions in the recommended routes. If you are responsible or aware of road schemes which have been improved for cyclists since the last survey in December 2006, please let us know so we can consider including them in our recommended routes. We are particularly keen to ensure that all the routes we are recommending are legal for cycling, so that we can fulfil our duty of care obligations. You can feedback to us on the Guides by:
(a) Completing the error form on Journey Planner https://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/roadusers/cycling/cycleroutes/Contact.aspx
(b) Marking the location and nature of the suggestion/error on the relevant map and sending this to veena.natarajan@tfl.gov.uk for ongoing collation
(c) Emailing a summary of the suggestion/error to veena.natarajan@tfl.gov.uk for ongoing collation.
Please forward this to anyone would be interested in inputting to the update and send your comments via the above methods preferably by 30th June 2008 and if not by 12 July.
Thank you for your assistance with this project.
Air free tyres, tyre sizes
http://www.airfreetires.com/
Such things as air free tyres always - rightly - attract a lot of interest. I can't comment on the quality of the products here, but be very careful of the sizing information here - much of it is wrong. I've come across someone who bought 37-305 tyres fro his Brompton. The only reason he didn't realise they won't fit is that the poor so-and-so has had his bike nicked. I found out about it when he tried to sell his tyres.
The website claims that 37-305 tyres are a substitute for 16 x 1 3/8 tyres. Nonsense! This can be clearly seen if we stick to the only reliable yet undeservedly least familiar tyre sizing system - the ISO one, in which 16 X 1 3/8 tyres are 37-349. The large number is the diameter at the bead and as is obvious they are 44mm larger that the 305s. The smaller number is the width of the tyre - not so critical, but its probably best to buy the same size
Such things as air free tyres always - rightly - attract a lot of interest. I can't comment on the quality of the products here, but be very careful of the sizing information here - much of it is wrong. I've come across someone who bought 37-305 tyres fro his Brompton. The only reason he didn't realise they won't fit is that the poor so-and-so has had his bike nicked. I found out about it when he tried to sell his tyres.
The website claims that 37-305 tyres are a substitute for 16 x 1 3/8 tyres. Nonsense! This can be clearly seen if we stick to the only reliable yet undeservedly least familiar tyre sizing system - the ISO one, in which 16 X 1 3/8 tyres are 37-349. The large number is the diameter at the bead and as is obvious they are 44mm larger that the 305s. The smaller number is the width of the tyre - not so critical, but its probably best to buy the same size
Sunday 25 May 2008
Urimat waterless urinals
I've mentioned waterless urinals on stibasa before, I think. Urimat make the ones I used in (ahem) McDonalds.
Apart from using much less water, they're less prone to blockage and smells, the manufacturers say and (therefore) need less cleaning.
I found their website a bit tedious - lots of pictures and little actual info - though the pdfs may be more revealing.
Well worth looking into for the places you go where there are urinals.
Apart from using much less water, they're less prone to blockage and smells, the manufacturers say and (therefore) need less cleaning.
I found their website a bit tedious - lots of pictures and little actual info - though the pdfs may be more revealing.
Well worth looking into for the places you go where there are urinals.
Bonkers Boris' bikers' bus-lane blunder
The Evening Standard's poll on motorcycles in bus lanes is currently at 63% in favour and 37% against. http://www.standard.co.uk/or http://thisislondon.co.uk/standard (Scroll down to see it--look out for a light and dark blue circle.) Please vote in the poll.
The LCC's position is that motorcycles should not be allowed into bus lanes. Please sign our petition if you agree with it:http://www.lcc.org.uk//index.asp?PageID=1145.
This is what LCC and Living Streets wrote to The Standard, which recently published an editorial supporting motorbikes in bus lanes.
Dear Editor
We are most concerned to read of your support for allowing motorbikes inbus lanes (Open Bus Lanes - 22 May 2008) based on evidence thatTransport for London has described as 'not sufficiently reliable to inform a decision on such an important issue.' If the Standard is to be consistent in its support for reduced road danger for cyclists and pedestrians then it should examine the TfL reports on motorbikes in bus lanes more critically before advocating such a move by the Mayor.
The executive summary of the original report says repeatedly that key data is not statistically significant. TfL described the report methodology as 'flawed.' Following the final report a TfL official wrote "'there is no evidence to indicate that motorcyclists would see any significant safety benefits from being allowed to enter bus lanes but that there were potential dis-benefits for both cyclists and pedestrians.' For the Mayor to make a policy decision on the basis of flawed methodology and insufficient evidence would be premature and open to legal challenge should anyone be injured as a result.
Best regards, Tony Armstrong
Chief Executive , Living Strrets
Koy Thomson,
Chief Executive, London Cycling Campaign
========
Press release from LCC
Boris shouldn’t risk lives with a snap decision on motorbikes in bus lanes
London Cycling Campaign has written to London Mayor Boris Johnson asking him not to make a snap decision on motorbikes in bus lanes that could endanger the lives of cyclists and pedestrians. LCC is advising the Mayor not to base any decisions on what Transport for London has described as unreliable evidence.
London Assembly Conservatives say that the ‘wheels are in motion’ and the Mayor will ‘rubber stamp’ the decision after technical requirements are met.
LCC’s chief executive Koy Thomson told the Mayor that ‘making a snap decision on this key issue based on evidence that is ‘not statistically significant’, or is based on ‘flawed methodology’, is an enormous risk and could adversely impact the safety of many pedestrians and cyclists.
‘This would be a decision taken not only against the advice of transport officials and without the input of cycling and pedestrian groups, but also in the face of a warning that this could ‘disbenefit’ cyclists and pedestrians.’
Managing Director for Surface Transport at Transport for London David Brown has stated: ‘The data used in the earlier report was not considered sufficiently reliable to inform a decision on such an important issue.’ Following a review of the data Mr Brown’s conclusion (April 2008) was that ‘there is no evidence to indicate that motorcyclists would see any significant safety benefits from being allowed to enter bus lanes but that there were potential disbenefits for both cyclists and pedestrians.’
LCC is urging the Mayor to consider the safety impact on all London streets for every road user before any decision on allowing high-speed vehicles into bus lanes is made.
Providing new high speed channels for motorcycles along major roads will inevitably increase motorcycle use. More motorcycle traffic will spread to all streets in London and will bring with it an increase in casualties for vulnerable road users. It is well established that motorcycles are involved in a greater proportion of collisions per kilometre with pedestrians and cyclists than are cars.
The LCC's position is that motorcycles should not be allowed into bus lanes. Please sign our petition if you agree with it:http://www.lcc.org.uk//index.asp?PageID=1145.
This is what LCC and Living Streets wrote to The Standard, which recently published an editorial supporting motorbikes in bus lanes.
Dear Editor
We are most concerned to read of your support for allowing motorbikes inbus lanes (Open Bus Lanes - 22 May 2008) based on evidence thatTransport for London has described as 'not sufficiently reliable to inform a decision on such an important issue.' If the Standard is to be consistent in its support for reduced road danger for cyclists and pedestrians then it should examine the TfL reports on motorbikes in bus lanes more critically before advocating such a move by the Mayor.
The executive summary of the original report says repeatedly that key data is not statistically significant. TfL described the report methodology as 'flawed.' Following the final report a TfL official wrote "'there is no evidence to indicate that motorcyclists would see any significant safety benefits from being allowed to enter bus lanes but that there were potential dis-benefits for both cyclists and pedestrians.' For the Mayor to make a policy decision on the basis of flawed methodology and insufficient evidence would be premature and open to legal challenge should anyone be injured as a result.
Best regards, Tony Armstrong
Chief Executive , Living Strrets
Koy Thomson,
Chief Executive, London Cycling Campaign
========
Press release from LCC
Boris shouldn’t risk lives with a snap decision on motorbikes in bus lanes
London Cycling Campaign has written to London Mayor Boris Johnson asking him not to make a snap decision on motorbikes in bus lanes that could endanger the lives of cyclists and pedestrians. LCC is advising the Mayor not to base any decisions on what Transport for London has described as unreliable evidence.
London Assembly Conservatives say that the ‘wheels are in motion’ and the Mayor will ‘rubber stamp’ the decision after technical requirements are met.
LCC’s chief executive Koy Thomson told the Mayor that ‘making a snap decision on this key issue based on evidence that is ‘not statistically significant’, or is based on ‘flawed methodology’, is an enormous risk and could adversely impact the safety of many pedestrians and cyclists.
‘This would be a decision taken not only against the advice of transport officials and without the input of cycling and pedestrian groups, but also in the face of a warning that this could ‘disbenefit’ cyclists and pedestrians.’
Managing Director for Surface Transport at Transport for London David Brown has stated: ‘The data used in the earlier report was not considered sufficiently reliable to inform a decision on such an important issue.’ Following a review of the data Mr Brown’s conclusion (April 2008) was that ‘there is no evidence to indicate that motorcyclists would see any significant safety benefits from being allowed to enter bus lanes but that there were potential disbenefits for both cyclists and pedestrians.’
LCC is urging the Mayor to consider the safety impact on all London streets for every road user before any decision on allowing high-speed vehicles into bus lanes is made.
Providing new high speed channels for motorcycles along major roads will inevitably increase motorcycle use. More motorcycle traffic will spread to all streets in London and will bring with it an increase in casualties for vulnerable road users. It is well established that motorcycles are involved in a greater proportion of collisions per kilometre with pedestrians and cyclists than are cars.
Friday 23 May 2008
B and D Rights of way improvement plan
paul.sidaway@lbbd.gov.uk / 020 8227 2615 is consulting on this. I was posted a questionnaire. The letter says copies can be got from him and I can't find anything on the council website.
The closing date is Monday 30 June.
Apparently the borough has 16 miles of rights of way including footpaths, cycle tracks, bridleways and restricted byways. I personally don't use these enough to make it worth me filling in the questionnaire.
The closing date is Monday 30 June.
Apparently the borough has 16 miles of rights of way including footpaths, cycle tracks, bridleways and restricted byways. I personally don't use these enough to make it worth me filling in the questionnaire.
Thursday 22 May 2008
The latest ATOC style London Connections map is 8.4.2008 and was effective from 18 May.
http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/system/galleries/download/print_maps/LondonConnections.pdf. Good luck getting hold of one - though Limehouse National Rail is often a good source.
http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/system/galleries/download/print_maps/LondonConnections.pdf. Good luck getting hold of one - though Limehouse National Rail is often a good source.
Wednesday 21 May 2008
Drinks Carton recycling
Tesco's carpark recycling bank (near the Town Quay) now has a euro bin for drink cartons.
St Awdry's Walk - "Peto Alley"
There are plans - early outline plans, I believe - to extend Vicarage Field Shopping Centre towards the railway line, resulting in the closure of St Awdry's Walk (known locally as Peto Alley).
Some people, it seems, feel this would be no great loss as there are safety issues in the alley. I don't know about that but having spent years camapigning to get a wheeling ramp for bikes at the station end (and the council having spent £s on the shared segregated upgrade to the path) I will fight this one tooth and nail, along I suspect with the resident of the area for whom it forms a significant shortcut to the station.
The next shortest route would be over the two footbridges between St Awdry's Road and Salisbury Avenue. The feeling of safety using these bridges is not strong, let alone the need to use 4 staircases - with no wheeling ramps for cyclists - instead of one.
Perhaps the idea is to force cyclists to use the town centre "bandstand" route, whereupon they will encounter gates across the road, no entry signs, one ways, pedestrianisation and a general feeling of hostility to cyclists.
Some people, it seems, feel this would be no great loss as there are safety issues in the alley. I don't know about that but having spent years camapigning to get a wheeling ramp for bikes at the station end (and the council having spent £s on the shared segregated upgrade to the path) I will fight this one tooth and nail, along I suspect with the resident of the area for whom it forms a significant shortcut to the station.
The next shortest route would be over the two footbridges between St Awdry's Road and Salisbury Avenue. The feeling of safety using these bridges is not strong, let alone the need to use 4 staircases - with no wheeling ramps for cyclists - instead of one.
Perhaps the idea is to force cyclists to use the town centre "bandstand" route, whereupon they will encounter gates across the road, no entry signs, one ways, pedestrianisation and a general feeling of hostility to cyclists.
The road to nowhere
My long term campaign to restore a through route for cyclists between Barking Town Quay and Jenkins Lane may soon draw to a close. The join between the "new" road between The A406 and Freshwharf Road (B&D council - please name this road) and Jenkins Lane is well underway - the surface is level and the kerbs are in. I would guess it would be finished in weeks.
It does look a little narrow. Whether this is because of the restricted space or whether it is deliberate I don't know. I hope it is not going to be an issue for cycle access. I'm concerned because the "no-entry except buses" signs that I complained about years ago are - surprise - still there.
Google maps http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=Highbridge+Rd,+Barking,+Greater+London,+United+Kingdom&sll=54.162434,-3.647461&sspn=10.820902,29.707031&ie=UTF8&cd=5&geocode=0,51.533854,0.072853&ll=51.531547,0.075316&spn=0.011213,0.029011&z=15
It does look a little narrow. Whether this is because of the restricted space or whether it is deliberate I don't know. I hope it is not going to be an issue for cycle access. I'm concerned because the "no-entry except buses" signs that I complained about years ago are - surprise - still there.
Google maps http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=Highbridge+Rd,+Barking,+Greater+London,+United+Kingdom&sll=54.162434,-3.647461&sspn=10.820902,29.707031&ie=UTF8&cd=5&geocode=0,51.533854,0.072853&ll=51.531547,0.075316&spn=0.011213,0.029011&z=15
Goresbrook Road
Work to re-unite Goresbrook Road with Maplestead Road (near The Thatched House Roundabout) is underway - a cycle path is under construction from the Goresbrook Road end of the pedestrianised area in front of the little row of shops.
I hadn't realised that the route behind the shops is fenced off to everyone (including pedestrians) at the Maplestead Road end.
I hadn't realised that the route behind the shops is fenced off to everyone (including pedestrians) at the Maplestead Road end.
how to be green as you clean
From The Times
• Use milk to remove ink stains on cotton.
• If you've got blood on something, the first thing you should try is your own saliva.
• Microfibre cloths will get glass really clean with just a splash of water.
• If you spill red wine on a carpet, don't use salt or white wine - soda water is better.
• To remove grey marks on your bath, fill the tub with water, add a packet of denture cleaner and leave it overnight.
• Remove soap scum from glasses by mixing one tablespoon of vinegar with 240ml of water. Immerse the glass in the liquid, then polish dry.
• To kill dust mites on a mattress, put a teabag in a spray bottle filled with cold water. Let it sit for three minutes, then spray lightly over the mattress.
• Remove lipstick marks from fabric with glycerine on a cotton wool ball.
• Banish fridge smells by inserting a divider dish containing vanilla essence on one side and bicarbonate of soda on the other.
• Use milk to remove ink stains on cotton.
• If you've got blood on something, the first thing you should try is your own saliva.
• Microfibre cloths will get glass really clean with just a splash of water.
• If you spill red wine on a carpet, don't use salt or white wine - soda water is better.
• To remove grey marks on your bath, fill the tub with water, add a packet of denture cleaner and leave it overnight.
• Remove soap scum from glasses by mixing one tablespoon of vinegar with 240ml of water. Immerse the glass in the liquid, then polish dry.
• To kill dust mites on a mattress, put a teabag in a spray bottle filled with cold water. Let it sit for three minutes, then spray lightly over the mattress.
• Remove lipstick marks from fabric with glycerine on a cotton wool ball.
• Banish fridge smells by inserting a divider dish containing vanilla essence on one side and bicarbonate of soda on the other.
Monday 19 May 2008
Paper Yellow Pages - no more
Following my request to Yellow Pages to not have the paper copy (see
http://stibasa.blogspot.com/2008/05/paper-yellow-pages.html) I received his reply.
"I have called our distribution centre and asked they take you off the delivery list.
Information concerning recycling can be found on the 'Essential Information' pages which can be found in all our Yellow Pages directories.
To locate your nearest facilities, click on 'Quick Find' and 'Where to recycle' at: www.yellgroup.com or call our Directory Recycling Helpline on 0800 671 444 Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 5.30pm.
Should you have any further enquiries please contact a member of our Customer Service Team on 0800 555 444.
Kind Regards,
Yell Customer Service Team"
I couldn't see anything called "quick find", but to search on line for where to recycle use this link: http://www.yellgroup.com/DR/english/74LGSF. For Barking it's Frizlands Lane, Dagenham or Jenkins Lane, Beckton
http://stibasa.blogspot.com/2008/05/paper-yellow-pages.html) I received his reply.
"I have called our distribution centre and asked they take you off the delivery list.
Information concerning recycling can be found on the 'Essential Information' pages which can be found in all our Yellow Pages directories.
To locate your nearest facilities, click on 'Quick Find' and 'Where to recycle' at: www.yellgroup.com or call our Directory Recycling Helpline on 0800 671 444 Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 5.30pm.
Should you have any further enquiries please contact a member of our Customer Service Team on 0800 555 444.
Kind Regards,
Yell Customer Service Team"
I couldn't see anything called "quick find", but to search on line for where to recycle use this link: http://www.yellgroup.com/DR/english/74LGSF. For Barking it's Frizlands Lane, Dagenham or Jenkins Lane, Beckton
Sunday 18 May 2008
"Trainline Smart" - Smartcard system for UK trains
http://www.travelbite.co.uk/newsbrief/travel-advice/travel-trends/smartcard-system-uk-trains-$485317.htm
"Trainline Smart is about to change the way we buy tickets for train travel in the UK through new technology that will provide integrated, paperless ticketing. Using the new technology tickets can be purchased on the internet or by mobile phone and loaded onto a smart card reader."
http://www.travelmole.com/stories/1126122.php
"Online rail retailer TheTrainline is developing Trainline Smart using ITSO technology, a Government defined standard for nationally accepted smart card ticketing in the UK. The is being introduced in stages across all UK rail and bus journeys and will eventually be used as an upgrade to the London Underground [sic *] Oyster smart ticketing system. The Trainline Smart functionality can be added to a corporate charge card or security pass."
* Oyster - even Oyster pre-pay - is not Underground only. It works throughout the London zonal system on Underground, Buses, and National Rail (inc London Overground) - though pre-pay is limited to a small-ish but increasing part of National Rail.
"Trainline Smart is about to change the way we buy tickets for train travel in the UK through new technology that will provide integrated, paperless ticketing. Using the new technology tickets can be purchased on the internet or by mobile phone and loaded onto a smart card reader."
http://www.travelmole.com/stories/1126122.php
"Online rail retailer TheTrainline is developing Trainline Smart using ITSO technology, a Government defined standard for nationally accepted smart card ticketing in the UK. The is being introduced in stages across all UK rail and bus journeys and will eventually be used as an upgrade to the London Underground [sic *] Oyster smart ticketing system. The Trainline Smart functionality can be added to a corporate charge card or security pass."
* Oyster - even Oyster pre-pay - is not Underground only. It works throughout the London zonal system on Underground, Buses, and National Rail (inc London Overground) - though pre-pay is limited to a small-ish but increasing part of National Rail.
Sending your luggage ahead
http://www.carrymyluggage.com/ is an upmarket service for doing just this, to avoid you having to handle your luggage when travelling by public transport - or cycling I suppose!
Information on the web / internet
Christian Woolmar's item (previous post) tells how a whole layer of mapping information is missing from the internet - at least the mighty Google's seemingly ever expanding chunk of it. With so much out there, it's amazing how often the information is wrong or missing.
I saw one web site (for a place to stay) which gave no contact details and whose maps did not have street names, let alone station names. Comparing these maps side by side with Google's / Multimap's I worked out the streetname I thought the place would be in. Searching the Google map for the place turned up a related building nearby, and yell.com and BT's online phone book didn't yield it up.
We've all heard the tales of SatNav taking people to the wromg place (or a place of the same name but not where they want to go) and it seems in mant cases whoever was following the SatNav wasn't applying common sense - something which computers will never fully replace, I imagine, ebven though people increasingly assume they are infallible.
The fact that internet based information is detailed and comprehensive does not make it accurate / correct.
I saw one web site (for a place to stay) which gave no contact details and whose maps did not have street names, let alone station names. Comparing these maps side by side with Google's / Multimap's I worked out the streetname I thought the place would be in. Searching the Google map for the place turned up a related building nearby, and yell.com and BT's online phone book didn't yield it up.
We've all heard the tales of SatNav taking people to the wromg place (or a place of the same name but not where they want to go) and it seems in mant cases whoever was following the SatNav wasn't applying common sense - something which computers will never fully replace, I imagine, ebven though people increasingly assume they are infallible.
The fact that internet based information is detailed and comprehensive does not make it accurate / correct.
Rail off the map on Google
This is from Rail Magazine issue 591 (7-20 May 2008) and is by Christian Woolmar.
"The absence of railway stations on Google maps, about which 1 wrote in RAIL 587, has more ramifications than I first realised. It is not only the fact that the Google maps do not show stations, but they also ignore the possibility of rail travel.
Try using the direction finder on Google maps to go, say, between Leicester and Loughborough - one stop on the train. The map defaults to car usage, of course, but then click on the 'use public transit' (it's American, remember) and you get... directions for buses. The bus information is in fact excellent - it will tell you when the next bus is leaving and explain how to walk to the right stop, giving estimated timings. There are links to the local bus operators but a complete absence of any information about train travel. It is as if the railways did not exist.
Following my previous item on this, Chris Scoggins, the head of the National Rail Enquiry Service, emailed to tell me that people can get detailed information on Google maps provided they put in a station name in the search engine. He was missing the point. The maps do not show stations unless specifically requested and therefore people might be totally unaware that there was one right next to their proposed destination.
From other responses I have had, it is clear that it is up to the railway organisations - ATOC and Network Rail - to ensure that the information is included on Google maps. Other maps apparently have better information but, of course, Google, as the best search engine, is the most used and therefore the railways are losing out on lots of potential customers. Chris Scoggins assures me that he is in touch with Google maps over this issue and will come back with progress reports. I await them eagerly."
"The absence of railway stations on Google maps, about which 1 wrote in RAIL 587, has more ramifications than I first realised. It is not only the fact that the Google maps do not show stations, but they also ignore the possibility of rail travel.
Try using the direction finder on Google maps to go, say, between Leicester and Loughborough - one stop on the train. The map defaults to car usage, of course, but then click on the 'use public transit' (it's American, remember) and you get... directions for buses. The bus information is in fact excellent - it will tell you when the next bus is leaving and explain how to walk to the right stop, giving estimated timings. There are links to the local bus operators but a complete absence of any information about train travel. It is as if the railways did not exist.
Following my previous item on this, Chris Scoggins, the head of the National Rail Enquiry Service, emailed to tell me that people can get detailed information on Google maps provided they put in a station name in the search engine. He was missing the point. The maps do not show stations unless specifically requested and therefore people might be totally unaware that there was one right next to their proposed destination.
From other responses I have had, it is clear that it is up to the railway organisations - ATOC and Network Rail - to ensure that the information is included on Google maps. Other maps apparently have better information but, of course, Google, as the best search engine, is the most used and therefore the railways are losing out on lots of potential customers. Chris Scoggins assures me that he is in touch with Google maps over this issue and will come back with progress reports. I await them eagerly."
LCC branch in B&D
The branch needs a volunteer to be the second signatory to our Nationwide BS Treasurer's account, and a volunteer to keep (records for) very simple annual accounts to present to corporate LCC (enabling us to get a grant from them). If you can help, please contact Colin.
Saturday 17 May 2008
Switch off lights photo
http://www.carbon-cutters.com/Clipart_IStockPhoto/Hand_Switches_Off.jpg
Handy photo you might be able to use to encourage switching off lights in the places you frequent
Handy photo you might be able to use to encourage switching off lights in the places you frequent
BBC Green
http://www.bbcgreen.com/
I've just joined this new on line group run by the BBC. There's a free prize draw for people who join this month.
Warning - the password you supply when you join gets e-mailed back to you in plain text - so choose a unique one or one that you intend to change.
The annoying tip about turning your thermostat down by (in this case) 2 degrees is there. How many times are we supposed to do this? Mine's already on absolute zero!
I've just joined this new on line group run by the BBC. There's a free prize draw for people who join this month.
Warning - the password you supply when you join gets e-mailed back to you in plain text - so choose a unique one or one that you intend to change.
The annoying tip about turning your thermostat down by (in this case) 2 degrees is there. How many times are we supposed to do this? Mine's already on absolute zero!
TfL's 5 Cs
I came across this in a glossy:
walking networks and facilities should be:
Connected
Convivial
Conspicuous
Comfortable and
Convenient
Not a bad checklist for cycle routes / networks either
walking networks and facilities should be:
Connected
Convivial
Conspicuous
Comfortable and
Convenient
Not a bad checklist for cycle routes / networks either
Grass bikes
http://biomelifestyle.blogspot.com/2008/05/renewable-bikes.html
Clever use of bamboo to make bike frames where bamboo is plentiful and labour cheap.
Clever use of bamboo to make bike frames where bamboo is plentiful and labour cheap.
Eat like a lean machine
Below is summary dietary advice for cycle tourists from Joe Beer of CTC in Cycle magazine Apr/May 2008. I am not a doctor or dietician - you follow the advice at your own risk.
1. Eat 5-6 times a day (300-400 calories) rather than the wait until the evening to catch up on your calorie needs.
2. Drink a glass of water before each mini-meal.
3. Reduce bad fats (hydrogenates, saturates) but include quality fats (olive oil. oily fish, linseed).
4. Reduce refined sugars in favour of fibrous foods that require chewing (potatoes, rice, apples, yams, pasta).
5. Minimise alcohol intake - it stores fat way too easily for most to get away with it.
6. Buy a quality multi-vitamin and the best-quality food you can afford.
7. Do not starve yourself (i.e. no fewer than 1500 1800 calories per day). You'll plummet your metabolism and store fat easier when you do eat normally later on.
8. Don't expect results overnight. Fat goes on and comes off very slowly. Consistency counts.
1. Eat 5-6 times a day (300-400 calories) rather than the wait until the evening to catch up on your calorie needs.
2. Drink a glass of water before each mini-meal.
3. Reduce bad fats (hydrogenates, saturates) but include quality fats (olive oil. oily fish, linseed).
4. Reduce refined sugars in favour of fibrous foods that require chewing (potatoes, rice, apples, yams, pasta).
5. Minimise alcohol intake - it stores fat way too easily for most to get away with it.
6. Buy a quality multi-vitamin and the best-quality food you can afford.
7. Do not starve yourself (i.e. no fewer than 1500 1800 calories per day). You'll plummet your metabolism and store fat easier when you do eat normally later on.
8. Don't expect results overnight. Fat goes on and comes off very slowly. Consistency counts.
Five miles to fabulous
CTC's annual initiative specifically aimed at getting women cycling. This year it's the weekend of 7-8 June. See www.fivemilestofabulous.co.uk.
Learning to ride
From Cycle (CTC’s magazine, Apr/May 2008)
Several years ago you published an article on getting youngsters a-pedalling. The gist was to take the pedals off, put the saddle down and get them scooting hobby-horse-like on the bike, until they feel comfortable with that. As a new grandparent I made a mental note of that gem.
We are presently [sic] lucky enough to be able to look after our two grandchildren one afternoon a week. I felt the 41/2 year-old should be getting some bike practice, so spent 30 or 40 minutes with her scooting the pedal-less bike up and down the road. It's been pretty cold recently, but I did manage four or five such sessions over the last few weeks.
Last week, after an initial scoot or two, I put the pedals back on, pushed her for 10 yards and - wow - we had lift-off - and after one topple (gloves on, no tears) the smile went right around her face three times without stopping!
We now have another cycling enthusiast in the family and, like her Dad, before her fifth birthday. So thanks for that superb advice. How encouraging to know it works a treat.
Ian Hewitt, Rowlands Castle, Hants
Several years ago you published an article on getting youngsters a-pedalling. The gist was to take the pedals off, put the saddle down and get them scooting hobby-horse-like on the bike, until they feel comfortable with that. As a new grandparent I made a mental note of that gem.
We are presently [sic] lucky enough to be able to look after our two grandchildren one afternoon a week. I felt the 41/2 year-old should be getting some bike practice, so spent 30 or 40 minutes with her scooting the pedal-less bike up and down the road. It's been pretty cold recently, but I did manage four or five such sessions over the last few weeks.
Last week, after an initial scoot or two, I put the pedals back on, pushed her for 10 yards and - wow - we had lift-off - and after one topple (gloves on, no tears) the smile went right around her face three times without stopping!
We now have another cycling enthusiast in the family and, like her Dad, before her fifth birthday. So thanks for that superb advice. How encouraging to know it works a treat.
Ian Hewitt, Rowlands Castle, Hants
AN AID TO PEDESTRIANISM
From Cycle (CTC's magazine - Apr/May 2008)
You may be interested in a Scottish Legal decision in the 1930s, which was reported (at my request) in the Scots Law Times Law Reports, in which the Court of Session held that a bicycle was not a vehicle, but that a pedal cycle was only an aid to pedestrianism, when it came to consider whether a bicycle could use a pedestrian right of way.
A cyclist on a pavement is therefore only using his cycle as an aid to his pedestrianism! But I am sure the Road Traffic Acts would view this differently.
Lord Mackay declared: 'The age old distinctions of the civil law, via, inter, actus, and the not quite corresponding distinctions in our Scots law, viz: cart road, bridle road, footpath, loaning, were not developed out at the date when a velocipede or any such wheeled contrivance existed. Probably then they did not contemplate such a monster. But the expression "horsedrawn vehicle", or the expression "vehicle" itself as use in right of way cases, is, in my opinion apt to express a sharp distinction between machines for carrying passengers over the country by some sort of motive power which precludes them from using their own legs for the purpose, and, on the other hand, any form of contrivance, such as a skate or roller skate or ski or snowshoe, which merely facilitates the use of the individual's own muscle to cover the ground more quickly.
Accordingly I take the view that the pedal cycle is only an aid to pedestrianism. I think it would be unfortunate in Scotland to take any other view, for otherwise tracks which had only been used by the comparatively innocuous two wheeled pedal cycle might be appropriated by the public thereby to all purposes of traffic.'
Crispin Agnew QC, Edinburgh
You may be interested in a Scottish Legal decision in the 1930s, which was reported (at my request) in the Scots Law Times Law Reports, in which the Court of Session held that a bicycle was not a vehicle, but that a pedal cycle was only an aid to pedestrianism, when it came to consider whether a bicycle could use a pedestrian right of way.
A cyclist on a pavement is therefore only using his cycle as an aid to his pedestrianism! But I am sure the Road Traffic Acts would view this differently.
Lord Mackay declared: 'The age old distinctions of the civil law, via, inter, actus, and the not quite corresponding distinctions in our Scots law, viz: cart road, bridle road, footpath, loaning, were not developed out at the date when a velocipede or any such wheeled contrivance existed. Probably then they did not contemplate such a monster. But the expression "horsedrawn vehicle", or the expression "vehicle" itself as use in right of way cases, is, in my opinion apt to express a sharp distinction between machines for carrying passengers over the country by some sort of motive power which precludes them from using their own legs for the purpose, and, on the other hand, any form of contrivance, such as a skate or roller skate or ski or snowshoe, which merely facilitates the use of the individual's own muscle to cover the ground more quickly.
Accordingly I take the view that the pedal cycle is only an aid to pedestrianism. I think it would be unfortunate in Scotland to take any other view, for otherwise tracks which had only been used by the comparatively innocuous two wheeled pedal cycle might be appropriated by the public thereby to all purposes of traffic.'
Crispin Agnew QC, Edinburgh
Twike pedal assisted electric car
A to B magazine (issue 55, May '08) mentions this. Twike's website shows calculations that the per mile costs over 5 years are similar to small conventional cars, probably because the Twike model used in the costings costs >£16K. Even so, the calculation excludes parking charges and congestion charge. Many public parking spaces and CPZs charge less or nothoing for electric vehicles such as these.
A to B says Twike is also a Heinzmann dealer and will recell (no re-sell) electric bikes.
A to B says Twike is also a Heinzmann dealer and will recell (no re-sell) electric bikes.
Online train ticket booking
http://www.nationalexpresseastcoast.com/
This site was tipped by A to B magazine in its May 08 issue (no 65). They say "it accepts cycle as well as seat reservations. No word yet on whether this actually works". There's apparently no booking fee and there's Fastticket support. The interface is very impressive. I like the way you can click on a train by time and the screen updates to show you the fare you would pay.
This site was tipped by A to B magazine in its May 08 issue (no 65). They say "it accepts cycle as well as seat reservations. No word yet on whether this actually works". There's apparently no booking fee and there's Fastticket support. The interface is very impressive. I like the way you can click on a train by time and the screen updates to show you the fare you would pay.
Wednesday 14 May 2008
Running trains through London
Thre's an article by David R Wright's in Rail Magazine (7-20 May) that suggests opening up new route possibilities basically by enabling through running from the H&C/Circle line at Liverpool Street out onto the National Rail lines at that station. Apparently the Underground limes are not that far from the NR ones. His reasoning is that it will be quicker and cheaper to implement a "Crossrail" scheme this way and his guiding principle are that London termini are wasteful of land and train capacity and that long distance trains should take priority over short distance ones.
This as a similar concept to what is already happening with the East London Line (tying it in to National rail lines as part of London Overground. The West London Line already carries through services.
Similarly, I think there's scope with the District Line. District trains used to run down to Southend and outside central London the line runs alongside National Rail lines here and there. Richmond is on National Rail, as is Ealing Bdy, for example.
The Met is already a suburban National Rail type service run by the Underground and there are plans to abolish Circle line services anyway - http://www.urbantransport-technology.com/projects/london/.
Not being true tube lines the "cut and cover" lines all apparently have scope for National Rail trains to run through.
David Wright mention the other problems that would need to be solved to implement his scheme and I presume the same ones would apply to blending National Rail with the other "cut and cover" lines. Tube lines are separate because of their construction in a bored tunnel, but the cut and cover lines are not so different from National Rail - its mainly who runs them that's different.
This as a similar concept to what is already happening with the East London Line (tying it in to National rail lines as part of London Overground. The West London Line already carries through services.
Similarly, I think there's scope with the District Line. District trains used to run down to Southend and outside central London the line runs alongside National Rail lines here and there. Richmond is on National Rail, as is Ealing Bdy, for example.
The Met is already a suburban National Rail type service run by the Underground and there are plans to abolish Circle line services anyway - http://www.urbantransport-technology.com/projects/london/.
Not being true tube lines the "cut and cover" lines all apparently have scope for National Rail trains to run through.
David Wright mention the other problems that would need to be solved to implement his scheme and I presume the same ones would apply to blending National Rail with the other "cut and cover" lines. Tube lines are separate because of their construction in a bored tunnel, but the cut and cover lines are not so different from National Rail - its mainly who runs them that's different.
The Trainline
Train ticket guru Barry Doe does not recommend the trainline for buying tickets on line. One reason he gives is the £1 minimum fee charged (which Raileasy also charges, and which he also doesn't recommend). He points out that if you start from http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/ (a good journey planning / ticket price site, he says) you will click through to a train operating company's (TOC's) ticket buying site. Many, but not all TOCs don't charge a fee even though the ticket "engine" is the same one.
One of those days
Next time you have one of those days when nothing seems to go right, rember this.
A warning light came on in a Eurostar Paris - London train. The driver thought it meant a fault that would mean he was not allowed to use the tunnel, but would be OK going back to Paris. So, at Lille he swapped passengers with a Paris bound train ehich turned back to London with his original passengers and he set off back to Paris with the other lot.
But he'd misunderstood the warning light and at 1am 80 miles outside Paris the train failed. A Loco was sent out to rescue them all and that broke down as well anf the passengers didn't reach Gare du Nord till 9am!
A warning light came on in a Eurostar Paris - London train. The driver thought it meant a fault that would mean he was not allowed to use the tunnel, but would be OK going back to Paris. So, at Lille he swapped passengers with a Paris bound train ehich turned back to London with his original passengers and he set off back to Paris with the other lot.
But he'd misunderstood the warning light and at 1am 80 miles outside Paris the train failed. A Loco was sent out to rescue them all and that broke down as well anf the passengers didn't reach Gare du Nord till 9am!
Barking & Gospel Oak Line to close for all of September
Press release from the B and GO line's user group. Timetable 62 is the applicable one.
'The new Summer/Autumn rail timetable starting on 18th May shows the Barking-Gospel Oak Line will be closed for engineering works from 1st September until 28th September. Passengers travelling west from Gospel Oak by North London Line trains will have to change at Camden Road and Willesden Junction until 17th November.
Members of the Barking-Gospel Oak Line User Group (BGOLUG) were concerned that Transport for London (TfL) was holding back on announcing serious disruption to passengers using the Barking-Gospel Oak-Willesden Junction rail route this autumn.
BGOLUG Secretary Graham Larkbey said, “TfL managers had warned us of the need to close the lines to finish major works ahead of the 2012 Olympics. We were still waiting for the details from TfL when we found on the Network Rail website that there would be no trains between Barking and Gospel Oak from 1st to 28th September.”
“We were concerned that TfL had yet to make any detailed announcement. There are many schoolchildren among the several hundreds of commuters that cram into these short trains during the rush-hours and they need to know what arrangements TfL are making for their journeys before the summer holidays. TfL Overground managers have now promised us that an announcement will be made in a few weeks.”
“And the misery doesn’t end there,” Committee member Richard Pout added, “Many of our passengers continue their journeys along the North London Line between Gospel Oak, Hampstead, Finchley Road and Willesden. These trains will not be restored until 17th November.”
At the moment no replacement buses are planned, so passengers will need to change trains at least twice at Gospel Oak and Camden Road. A special train service will take passengers from Camden Road to Kilburn, Queen’s Park, Kensal Green and Willesden. These trains normally run from Euston to Watford, so the direct route from Queen’s Park, Kilburn and South Hampstead to Euston will also be lost for 11 weeks.”
'The new Summer/Autumn rail timetable starting on 18th May shows the Barking-Gospel Oak Line will be closed for engineering works from 1st September until 28th September. Passengers travelling west from Gospel Oak by North London Line trains will have to change at Camden Road and Willesden Junction until 17th November.
Members of the Barking-Gospel Oak Line User Group (BGOLUG) were concerned that Transport for London (TfL) was holding back on announcing serious disruption to passengers using the Barking-Gospel Oak-Willesden Junction rail route this autumn.
BGOLUG Secretary Graham Larkbey said, “TfL managers had warned us of the need to close the lines to finish major works ahead of the 2012 Olympics. We were still waiting for the details from TfL when we found on the Network Rail website that there would be no trains between Barking and Gospel Oak from 1st to 28th September.”
“We were concerned that TfL had yet to make any detailed announcement. There are many schoolchildren among the several hundreds of commuters that cram into these short trains during the rush-hours and they need to know what arrangements TfL are making for their journeys before the summer holidays. TfL Overground managers have now promised us that an announcement will be made in a few weeks.”
“And the misery doesn’t end there,” Committee member Richard Pout added, “Many of our passengers continue their journeys along the North London Line between Gospel Oak, Hampstead, Finchley Road and Willesden. These trains will not be restored until 17th November.”
At the moment no replacement buses are planned, so passengers will need to change trains at least twice at Gospel Oak and Camden Road. A special train service will take passengers from Camden Road to Kilburn, Queen’s Park, Kensal Green and Willesden. These trains normally run from Euston to Watford, so the direct route from Queen’s Park, Kilburn and South Hampstead to Euston will also be lost for 11 weeks.”
Paper Yellow Pages
I've sent this query to Yellow Pages:
"How do I stop being sent a paper YP each year? All I do is throw it away as I use the internet to look up anything I want. I’m not supposed to put the old copy in the normal recycling bins and taking it to a special recycling place is very inconvenient.
Copies also get left outside unoccupied properties and if neighbours like me don’t deal with them they can end up as litter in the street.
This is very wasteful and I’m not happy about it. I believe I have the right not to be sent things I don’t want. At the very least you should make the YP recyclable but preferably you should only send them to those who ask for them."
"How do I stop being sent a paper YP each year? All I do is throw it away as I use the internet to look up anything I want. I’m not supposed to put the old copy in the normal recycling bins and taking it to a special recycling place is very inconvenient.
Copies also get left outside unoccupied properties and if neighbours like me don’t deal with them they can end up as litter in the street.
This is very wasteful and I’m not happy about it. I believe I have the right not to be sent things I don’t want. At the very least you should make the YP recyclable but preferably you should only send them to those who ask for them."
Potholes
I notice that B&D council comes 185th out of 203 authorities in this league table of pothole fixing from “Fill that hole” - http://www.fillthathole.org.uk/league_table. I reported a pothole on line in Salisbury Avenue, Barking over a year ago - see http://www.fixmystreet.com/?id=2728 . I added a photo of it to mark the anniversary of my report!
Monday 12 May 2008
Bike shop and ironmongers
When a bolt broke on my bike I searched www.yell.co.uk for an ironmongers (nut and bolt retailer in their taxonomy). I found one in Leyton, jut across the road from Leyton Midland Road Station and two doors down from The Bike Shack - which is a proper bike shop stocking reasonable quality makes. Being only 13 minutes from Barking - LMR and £1 each way Oyster pre-pay fare, this pair of shops could be useful for Barkingites, though unfortunately I can't recommend the bike shop from personal experience.
http://www.no1bikeshack.co.uk/
http://tinyurl.com/48wcrl (Astley components in www.yell.co.uk)
http://www.no1bikeshack.co.uk/
http://tinyurl.com/48wcrl (Astley components in www.yell.co.uk)
TfL Journey planner Google gadget
TfL have launched some Google gadgets to sit on your iGoogle home page, including the journey planner. You can set a default origin or destination but these are not kept when you select "advanced options" (at least not in my test).
One of my criticisms of the journey planner is the lack of options in the non advanced mode. I would have thought planning a journey to leave now is fairly rare. I want to plug in the time I want to arrive at my destination and work backwards to when I want to leave. Maybe in the future TfL will enable users to configure the system to store a few locations (home and work, for example) and some personal preferences (walking speed for example).
Still - a step forward.
One of my criticisms of the journey planner is the lack of options in the non advanced mode. I would have thought planning a journey to leave now is fairly rare. I want to plug in the time I want to arrive at my destination and work backwards to when I want to leave. Maybe in the future TfL will enable users to configure the system to store a few locations (home and work, for example) and some personal preferences (walking speed for example).
Still - a step forward.
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