Can You Drive A Non-ULEZ Compliant Car Along the M25 In Essex?
This Google Map shows the M25, as it curves through South-East Essex.
Note.
- The A12 goes roughly SW-NE across the map.
- It is crossed by the M25.
- The London-Essex boundary is shown by a red dotted line.
- The dotted line is not always on the Essex side of the M25.
If you drove a non-ULEZ compliant car Along the M25, would you be subject to a penalty?
Canary Wharf Move Means Expansion For Drug Trials Operator
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on The Times.
These three paragraphs outline the story.
An Aim-listed company that tests infectious and respiratory disease products on volunteers is preparing to move its operations to Canary Wharf.
Amid booming demand for its services, hVIVO, which infects volunteers with safe doses of virus agents, then quarantines them before testing the efficacy of vaccines and antivirals — in so-called human challenge trials — will move from its clinics in Whitechapel, east London, to a new larger facility near by owned by Canary Wharf Group early next year.
Canary Wharf is aiming to attract businesses from the life sciences and health sectors in a drive to become a sciences hub and less reliant on the financial services industry.
This is the second story about life science companies moving to Canary Wharf after Canary Wharf Boosts Its Science Ambitions.
I have my thoughts.
Canary Wharf Is A Transport Hub
Canary Wharf is served by the following transport links.
- Buses
- Docklands Light Railway
- Elizabeth Line
- Jubilee Line
- Thames Clipper
It is very well-connected, which means that staff and volunteers can get there easily.
Canary Wharf Is A Leisure Destination
Canary Wharf is very much more than a collection of expensive offices.
There are shops, bars, restaurants, a museum and a cinema complex.
There Is A Shortage Of Lab-Rats
I volunteer for medical research and regularly, I’m called in to help with the recruitment of more volunteers.
I suspect, that many would prefer to volunteer at Canary Wharf, rather than some parts of London.
Conclusion
I suspect that we’ll see an expansion of medical research of all kinds at Canary Wharf.
How Bradford Residents Can Share Hydrogen Power Site Views
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on the Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
These paragraphs give details of the consultation.
Developers will be holding their main consultation event will be held at Ingus Hall at Kala Sangam, St Peters House.
It will take place between 3pm to 7pm on Tuesday, September.
A further event specifically for local residents living near Bowling Back Lane is being held on Monday, September 11.
This press release from Hygen, which is entitled Bradford Hydrogen Production Facility Shortlisted For Government Funding, gives more details about the project.
I shall be going.
Is London’s ULEZ Already Having An Affect On Train Travel?
Consider.
- There has been a lot of negative publicity about the ULEZ expansion, which starts on Tuesday, the 29th August, 2023.
- I doubt there are few people who will be affected by the expansion, who don’t know about it.
- I suspect many have calculated how much the ULEZ expansion will cost them.
I also suspect that some will have taken actions, which will have included.
- Bought a vehicle, that is ULEZ compliant to avoid the cost.
- Moving house or changing job may sound drastic, but the ULEZ expansion could be one of several reasons to make a large change to your lifestyle.
The easiest action, will be to increase their use of train travel, when they go inside the ULEZ.
Some may have already started to do this, so they know all the pitfalls before doing it seriously on a daily basis.
The Elizabeth Line
Over the last few months, I have written three posts about how busy the Western section of the Elizabeth Line can get.
- Very Busy Lizzie
- Elizabeth Line: Commuters Say Service ‘Not What Was Promised’
- So Many Cases On A Train!
I use the Elizabeth Line regularly and it seems to be getting even busier.
In May 2023, I wrote, these two posts.
- Elizabeth Line’s £29million Fares Bonanza As Passenger Numbers Hit New High
- Elizabeth Line Takes Fliers Away From Heathrow Express
Certainly, the Elizabeth Line is an undoubted success.
In the first of these linked posts, I suggest now might be the time to expand Elizabeth Line services.
Over the last week, I have made three trips to the outer reaches of the Metropolitan Line and I have been surprised at how busy the trains were.
Could it be that travellers are changing their routes before the ULEZ expansion kicks in?
New Trains And More Parkway Stations
Greater Anglia have replaced their commuter trains with new Class 720 trains and are building a new parkway station at Beaulieu Park.
This looks to me, that Beaulieu Park could be a ULEZ avoider.
Will other train companies use a similar strategy to attract more passengers?
Heathrow Is In The Expanded ULEZ
This page on the Heathrow web site is entitled London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone, Or ULEZ, Is Expanding To Encompass All Of Greater London, Including Heathrow Airport, From The 29 August 2023.
The Heathrow page is very informative and I suggest you read it, if you are taking a vehicle near Heathrow.
But the ULEZ will surely drive some Heathrow workers and travellers to use public transport, even if they live far from the ULEZ.
Conclusion
I suspect that more travellers will use the trains because of the ULEZ.
Chorleywood Station – 27th August 2023
This Google Map shows Chorleywood station.
Note.
- There are two through platforms, which are electrified with the London Underground four-rail system.
- There appears to be a large car park.
These pictures show the station.
Note.
- Both through platforms are electrified.
- The old K8 phone box, which I mentioned in London Underground: Platform Phone Boxes Given Listed Status.
- The quality signal box
- The defibrillator.
The station could do with a bit of a refurbishment.
Amersham Station – 24th August 2023
This Google Map shows Amersham station.
Note.
- There are two through platforms, which are electrified with the London Underground four-rail system.
- There is also a East-facing bay platform, which is electrified the same way.
- There appears to be a large car park.
These pictures show the station.
Note.
- Both through platforms are electrified.
- The East-facing bay platform is electrified.
- The station has lifts.
The station is only a short walk from the town centre and there are plenty of cafes nearby.
Chalfont & Latimer Station – 26th August 2023
This Google Map shows Chalfont & Latimer station.
Note.
- There are two through platforms, which are electrified with the London Underground four-rail system.
- There is also a West-facing bay platform, which is electrified the same way.
- The bay platform used to host a shuttle to Chesham station.
These pictures show the station.
Note.
- Both through platforms are electrified.
- The bay platform could be operational, although the rails seem a bit rusty.
- The old K8 phone box, which I mentioned in London Underground: Platform Phone Boxes Given Listed Status.
- The quality fittings in the station.
Chesham services cross over to the Chesham branch to the West of the station.
Chesham Station – 26th August 2023
This Google Map shows Chesham station.
Note.
- The station only has one platform.
- An eight-car train is in the platform.
- There used to be a four-car bay platform, to the West of the island platform.
The Chesham branch is only single track.
These pictures show the station.
The station is a Grade II Listed Building.
Introducing JetZero
The Times today has an article which is entitled Up, Up And Away On An Eco-Friendly, Blended-Wing Jet.
This is the sub-heading.
The US air force hopes that a $235 million contract for a radical new design will take off
The article goes on to give a good history of blended wing bodies, before describing JetZero’s blended-wing jet and the company’s deal with the US Air Force.
More on the aircraft is available on the company’s web site. Take a look at the WHY JETZERO page.
In ZEROe – Towards The World’s First Zero-Emission Commercial Aircraft, I describe Airbus’s ZEROe BWB, which is another proposed blended wing body.
London Overground Lines To Be Given Unique Names
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on the BBC.
This is the sub-heading.
Six London Overground lines are to be given unique names.
These three paragraphs explain it all.
Routes to be named include Euston to Watford Junction, Romford to Upminster and Gospel Oak to Barking, City Hall confirmed.
Seb Dance, deputy mayor for transport, said posters had been put up in stations informing people of the plans and encouraging them to get involved.
London Overground will remain as the umbrella brand, according to transport bosses.
It will cost £6.3 million.
What a waste of money!
I suppose they will all be given nice politically correct names, that no-one will use and those on thee far-right will cover with graffiti.
Yesterday, I needed to use The Drain, so I asked if it was open at Waterloo. Perhaps the first thing, that they ought to do, is teach staff all the colloquial names that my parents’ generation used.
The sooner the good voters of London give SadIQ his marching orders the better.
The Anonymous Widower 