don't try crossing the road in Penarth!

Photograph taken today in Penarth where 4 pedestrian crossings are currently closed. One has a fence around it as there is a hole, but the other three have been closed simply to ensure that more cars can pass through the roadworks... Car culture.

According to the DfT report Inclusive Mobility:
If street works mean that a pedestrian crossing cannot be used, the following should be done:

𐂄 put barriers across pedestrian accesses to the crossing.

𐂄 use signs showing Zebra, Pelican etc crossing not in use. Place them so that they face pedestrians on both sides of the road.

𐂄 extinguish or cover Zebra crossing globes, switch off the lights on Pelican, Puffin or Toucan crossings.

http://www.dft.gov.uk/162259/259428/inclusivemobility

Clearly there should be barriers on the crossings, which are missing.

I believe that there is a health and safety issue here as a partially sighted person (or a person unable to read English or Welsh) may continue to use the crossing - as most people do anyway, or even trip over the sign which is less than the 1m required for a barrier to prevent this occurrence.

Further, the DfT does say that "IF the pedestrian crossing cannot be used"... Clearly it can and has been closed for one reason - speeding motorists through the road works. This is clearly not moral or necessary.

The pedestrian crossing continues to function despite the sign, cones and covering of the beacons no significant delay for motorists - and avoiding considerable delay, inconvenience and exposure to the elements for pedestrians. Further, with Bradenham Place and Albert Road both closed, traffic is light and there is an opportunity to install a one-way system on Windsor Terrace and Stanwell Road - or simply close Windsor Road and divert traffic onto Hickman Raod and/or Albert Road and Plassy Street.

The crossing closure is not about pedestrian safety, but for motorist convenience. Is this legal, though totally unethical? As this is a zebra crossing, not a pelican, does this make a difference, as pedestrians only gain right of way once they have stepped out... where as, with a pelican crossing, the light phases may cause problems, and cause confusion.

In my search for answers, I have discovered that whilst using a crossing, pedestrians have to walk on the right hand side of the crossing. Is this the craziest rule? Alas...

Given that there are no barriers, are the free standing signs pictured actually legal?

All answers and suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Best regards,

Ian

TV impressionist Alistair McGowan has bought a piece of the Heathrow third runway site along with Emma Thompson, Zac Goldsmith and Greenpeace.

It started like most good ideas around here, with a conversation down at the pub. And there have been many times over the last few months when I wasn't sure we were going to pull it off, but we're now the proud owners of a small piece of land within the site of the proposed third runway at Heathrow.

We're expecting the government will announce that they're going ahead with expansion at Heathrow this week and we now need you to join us. Sign up now to get your own piece of the plot. It's not a financial thing, but you will be included as an owner on the legal deed of trust.

Join the plot!

Heathrow expansion isn't only an issue for those of us unfortunate enough to live on the flight path. If expansion goes ahead Heathrow will become the largest single source of greenhouse gas emissions in the whole country. And the government's plans to expand airports across the UK will make it impossible for us to meet our commitment to reduce emissions and stop runaway climate change.

As legal owners of this plot we will take the opportunity to oppose airport expansion at every stage in the planning process. We're joined on the deeds by Oscar winning actress Emma Thompson, comedian Alistair McGowan and prospective Tory parliamentary candidate Zac Goldsmith. Along with Greenpeace UK, that's the maximum number of owners we can put on the deed, but you can sign up to add your name and stand beside us to resist all attempts of a compulsory purchase of the land.

You'll be joining beneficial owners who've already signed-up including local Labour MP John McDonnell, Tory frontbench spokeswoman Justine Greening, Lib Dem MP Susan Kramer, environmentalist George Monbiot and acclaimed climate scientist and Royal Society Research Fellow Dr Simon Lewis.

The runway is by no means inevitable. BAA now faces a long process to get its tarmac laid. So there will be many ways you can get involved in the years it will take to get the runway through the planning process, and we will need your creativity and energy to make sure the runway never gets built. In the coming months and years we will need the help of thousands of people like you to put pressure on your MP, write letters to your local media, join us at events, tell your own community, and much more.

We'll let you know more about that shortly, we only got the final papers for the land through the end of last week, so the first step is to sign up and let us know you want to be part of the plot over the coming years.

If all our attempts to stop the runway fail, we will stand with the people from the community whose homes will be demolished to build the third runway and block the bulldozers. There will be many ways you can support the blockade even if you don't fancy joining us on the plot.

We are not going to let this new runway be built to make sure we have a healthy climate and environment for all of us and future generations. Sign up today to join the plot. If we're serious about tackling climate change, we have to stop airport expansion.

Find out more about Airplot »
Invite your friends to join »
See where our plot is on the map »
Legal and beneficial owners »
The case against Heathrow expansion (pdf) »

Cllr Petrol Head Howells rubbished criticisms of lorry road into Bute Park

Bute Park – Echo 10th Jan 2009

Cllr Petrol Head Howells rubbished criticisms of plans for Victorian parklands

Plans in best interest of city” says leisure chief! Coun Howells “What we are doing is in the best interests of Bute Park and will preserve what is one of the best examples of Victorian Parkland in the UK”.

Despite a letter from an assembly civil servant from writing on behalf of heritage minister heritage Alun Ffred Jones and calling for more consultation Coun Howells said that the council had no plans for further consultation nad the heritage lottery fund was not taking any interest in the work to the road or the lorry bridge.

We challenge Cllr Howells to attend a public meeting. Give us a chance to discuss it with you, he couldn't find the time to attend the last public meeting.

It will be over our dead bodies that Cllr Howells scars and destroys Bute Park and its landscape by building this ugly raised 4 metre wide roads with dangerous 2 metre long 1 in 5 slopes on either sidethrough Bute Park. It is extremely arrogant of Cllr Howells to state that he knows best. He has been corrupt in

1. Failing to ensure that the Bute Park new development was properly assessed for sustainability prior to implementation as in the Park & Green Space Strategy

2. Failing to consider a decision to limit the size of lorries in the Park as requested from Cllr Simon Wakefield).
3. Speaking at the planning meeting purely advocating the project without claiming to representing his electors’ views, and did not declare a prejudicial ‘interest’.

Cllr Nigel Howells, Exec member has the scheme in his portfolio
4. Reports from council officers were 'sexed down' to minimise the impact.
The Highways “Options Appraisal” was altered (between the January and August versions) to support the Parks’ claim of the present situation being ‘unsafe’ and the Project being ‘essential

There must be a comprehensive programme of public consultation on the proposed plans to restore the Park and I challenge Cllr Howells to give us a time he can attend a public meeting to give people the chance to answer these question and others.

More information here No lorries in Bute Park

Tell him what you think! NHowells@cardiff.gov.uk,
journalist who wrote the article david.james@mediawales.co.uk,
write to echo ecletters@mediawales.co.uk
write to the Heritage lottery fund jennifers@hlf.org.uk,

• New nuclear plant mooted for North Wales »

New nuclear plant mooted for North Wales

RWE Npower has acquired land and grid connections at Wylfa, Anglesey, and signalled proposals for a new nuclear power station next to the existing Magnox nuclear plant.

The energy company said it had acquired the right to connect up to 3,600MW of nuclear generation to the national grid. It has acquired options to buy farmland at Wylfa close to the existing nuclear station, but said it would consult with local people before making any firm plans for a new nuclear plant in North Wales.

Andrew Duff, chief executive of RWE npower, the UK subsidiary of the German energy giant, said: "We are serious and committed to progressing new nuclear options."

The local planning authority is currently supportive of new nuclear capacity on the island because new-build would maintain existing nuclear power employment and provide a fillip for the local economy.

Phil Fowlie, leader of Anglesey County Council, said: "Ensuring energy generation remains at Wylfa for future generations is a major priority for the county council, and we are eager to work in partnership with all potential private sector companies to ensure our 'Energy Island' aspirations are realised."

Local support for nuclear around Wylfa, where one nuclear power station is in operation but is due to shut down in the next few years, is high. The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, which owns the existing Magnox nuclear station, recently put some of its land up for sale to help potential nuclear new-build.

Read the RWE npower press release.

Roger Milne 8 January 2009

Libs Climate Change Brief

Nick Clegg has ousted Steve Webb from his post as the Liberal Democrats' energy and climate change spokesman, in a reshuffle aimed at sharpening the party's performance. The climate change brief, an important one in a party with strong environmental credentials, was handed to Simon Hughes, the former Liberal Democrat president.

Independent 9th Jan 2009

Political Lobbying Greasy palms

Political Lobbying

Former ministers are being allowed to cash in with impunity on their contacts and insider knowledge, a damning report from MPs warns today. They called for strict new rules to curb the 'revolving door' that has seen a string of politicians walk straight into highly-paid jobs linked to their old areas of responsibility. The committee also drew attention to the number of former MPs and ministers employed by the nuclear industry, including Jack Cunningham, Ian McCartney, Richard Caborn, Brian Wilson and Alan Donnelly. Saying self-regulation had entirely failed, the committee called for all lobbying activity to be registered and monitored by a tough watchdog.

Daily Mail 5th Jan 2009

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1105269/Ex-ministers-cashing-insider-knowledge-leaving-Westminster.html

Green New Deal?

Green New Deal or more greenwash?

Gordon Brown today unveils ambitious plans for a 1930s American-style programme of public works to ease the pain of recession by creating up to 100,000 jobs. School repairs, new rail links, hospital projects and plans to usher in a new digital age by investing in superfast broadband will be used to keep unemployment down. The plans will also be used to tackle climate change, by means of investments in eco-friendly projects such as electric cars and wind and wave power that would also create jobs.
Observer 4th Jan 2009