Could London Drivers Be Charged On A Cost Per Mile Basis?
This article on CarWow is entitled Transport for London Investing £150 million In Technology Capable Of Enforcing Pay-Per-Mile Road Charging.
These reasons are given for the new system.
- Transport for London developing new ANPR technology
- Set to be used for Ulez and congestion charging for now
- Could be expanded in the future to include pay-per-mile road charging
- Estimated project cost of £150 million
In addition, this paragraph gives another reason.
A new platform for existing road user charging schemes, such as Ulez and the Congestion Charge, is being developed by Transport for London to replace the outsourced system currently in place as the contract is due to expire in 2026.
I can understand, that if it is brought in house, that this might create more jobs in London, rather than somewhere far away.
Speeding
If you read the article on CarWow, nothing is said about speeding.
But surely, if a sophisticated computer system knew you were at A and B at certain times, it could calculate your speed.
Coupled with a 20 mph speed limit, it could be a big money earner.
It also gets Sadiq Khan off the hook with pay-per-mile charging. He just introduces fines for people, who break the law by speeding.
Conclusion
I don’t drive, so it doesn’t bother me.
But I would advise anyone, who does, to think long and hard about who they vote for.
Canadian Pension Fund To Consolidate Its Offshore Wind Holdings Into UK-Based Reventus Power
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on offshoreWIND.biz.
This is the sub-heading.
Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPP Investments) will consolidate its existing direct and indirect offshore wind holdings into Reventus Power, its UK-based portfolio company, which will become its dedicated global offshore wind platform.
This first paragraph gives more details.
Subject to customary approvals, the move will see Reventus Power growing its teams in the UK, Germany, Poland and Portugal to form a team of approximately 50 offshore wind specialists, according to CPP Investments, whose current exposure to offshore wind is more than CAD 1 billion (approximately EUR 678 million; USD 737 million).
According to their web site, the Reventus HQ is in London.
There is nothing on the web to indicate a special reason, so it must have been one of the following.
- Canadians like investing in the UK.
- The UK is good for tax reasons.
- London has all the lawyers, accountants and other services they will need.
- I suspect several wind farms, that they will develop will be in UK waters.
- Many of the extra staff, they have said they will recruit will be UK-based or UK-educated.
But overall, it must be a feather in its cap for London.
Wembley: Swan Rescued From Supermarket Roof In Ikea Bag
The title of this post, is the same as this article on the BBC.
This is the sub-heading.
A swan has been rescued from a London supermarket roof in an Ikea bag by a London Fire Brigade (LFB) rescue team.
These are the first three paragraphs.
The brigade said a swan sanctuary volunteer called them at 11:08 GMT on Wednesday after a member of the public spotted the bird from a block of flats.
The team used a 13.5m (44.3ft) ladder to reach the swan, which they called Steve, and alongside the volunteer helped secure the bird in the blue bag.
Once Steve was brought down it was checked over and found to be unhurt.
Another use for the multi-purpose IKEA bag.
Tideway – Blackfriars Bridge Foreshore – 12th February 2024
It is two years since I took the last set of pictures here.
The tunnelling is now complete.
A Black Cab With Cushions
I must have used thousands of black taxis in my life.
But last week, was the first one with cushions.
Even at seventy-six, I still get new experiences.
The Moths Have Eaten My Long Johns
When I took the pictures in A Sleigh Ride, and at probably most of the other posts from my trip to Poland in Winter, I was wearing an expensive pair of Merino long johns.
I have tried to wear them in this cold snap, but they have been eaten by the f**king moths.
Still at least I don’t feel the cold badly.
That’s probably because I was brought up in Cockfosters, which is the coldest place in London.
Counter-Terror Officers Investigate Ulez Camera Explosion
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on the BBC.
This is the sub-heading.
Metropolitan Police counter-terrorism officers are investigating an incident where a Ulez camera was blown up using a “low-sophistication improvised explosive device” (IED).
These two paragraphs introduce the story.
The explosion happened at about 18:45 GMT on Wednesday in Sidcup, south-east London, damaging vehicles and property.
The Met has said it is treating the blast as a “deliberate act”, but not terrorism at this stage.
It also appears that the camera had been cut down earlier and then someone blew it up.
I am 76 and I know several of my generation, who experimented with explosives. One, who was an American, blew his hand off.
But speaking to my children, none said they had experimented.
Is it, that my generation was born closer to World War II?
I don’t drive so ULEZs and Low Traffic Neighborhoods don’t bother me, but if some blow-up cameras and deface the signs, they must bother others.
I can’t help feeling that Sadiq Khan is introducing policies, that some violently object to!
I doubt that is a sensible policy, both practically or politically.
Europe’s Next High-Speed Train Operator
I was alerted to Heuro Train, by this article in Railway Gazette International, which has this opening paragraph.
A proposal to launch high speed train services from Amsterdam to London and from Groningen to Paris has been announced by Dutch start-up Heuro, while Virgin founder Sir Richard Branson is also reported to be looking at competing with Eurostar on cross-Channel routes.
The Heuro Train web site was easily found and the title of this post, was part of their mission statement on the home page.
I have read the web site and have a few initial thoughts.
Technology-Driven Excellence
This is their first sub heading and this is the text.
In a world where technology defines possibilities, Heuro develops the latest innovations into every aspect of our service. From advanced train systems to intuitive in-seat features that cater to your needs, our technology is the driving force behind a seamless, state-of-the-art travel experience.
We’ve all written things like that in the past.
Meeting The Human Need
This is their second sub heading and this is the text.
Heuro emerged from human desires, informed by analyses from Marveltest.
There’s been a 32% annual increase in online interest for train travel over five years. High-Speed Trains are 98% full at peak times. Over half of Europeans prefer train travel under 2 hours as a greener option. Introducing High-Speed Operators in train monopolies boosts demand by 45%.
They appear to have done their research and those are interesting figures.
Lightning Speed Connectivity
This is their third sub heading and this is the text.
In our digital age, both work and leisure have found a substantial home on the internet for urban humans. Whether sealing a business deal, streaming a favorite show, or connecting with loved ones, online interactions have become integral to our daily lives. At Heuro, we don’t just commit—we guarantee the best internet experience.
This is actually irrelevant these days, as there will be a high standard of Internet experience on all modes of transport in a few years, although some will get it earlier than others.
Planned Routes
This is their sixth sub heading and this is the text.
We will connect Amsterdam with Brussels, Paris, and London with intermediate stops at Schiphol Airport, Rotterdam Central, Antwerp Central & complimentary services to Groningen, Assen, Zwolle and Almere (continuing to Paris, 2 times per day)
This route map is shown.
Note.
- It is not a large network.
- It makes a lot of use of the Dutch high speed line; HSL-Zuid, that runs between Amsterdam and the Belgian border.
- I suspect it has been designed to be extended.
The Railway Gazette Article has these two paragraphs, which give more information on services and Heuro’s thinking.
On November 15 Heuro told Railway Gazette International that it aims to launch in 2028, offering 16 Amsterdam – Paris and 15 Amsterdam – London trains each day with intermediate stops at Schiphol Airport, Rotterdam Centraal, Antwerpen Centraal and Brussels. Two of the Paris trains would run to and from Groningen via Assen, Zwolle and Almere.
The company said ‘every day, 55 planes fly from Amsterdam to London, while only four trains make this journey. Heuro intends to change that, aiming for more trains to depart from Amsterdam than flights’.
With other train companies wanting to serve London, will St. Pancras International be able to incorporate another fifteen trains per day from Amsterdam?
Web Site Language
Everything is in English! It also appears to be English English.
Les français ne seront pas amusés.
Extensions From London
Much of Central and Eastern England, and Eastern Scotland can be reached from St. Pancras International station, by a hundred metre walk to change platforms.
There is even a signed walking route between St. Pancras International and Euston stations, that isn’t the most arduous of walks.
The St. Pancras International and Euston stations connection could also be handled by a frequent electric shuttle bus.
Extensions From Amsterdam
Heuro are already indicating their intention to extend to Almere, Zwolle, Assen and Groningen.
I have taken that route and extended it via Leer, Oldenburg and Bremen to Hamburg.
Could this be in Heuro’s long term thinking?
Extensions From Paris
The French probably have ideas.
Conclusion
I like Heuro’s philosophy and starter kit.
A Walk Over Tower Bridge
It was a nice day today, so I decided to enjoy the last of this year’s sunshine by going for a walk along the Thames from London Bridge and then cross to the North side using Tower Bridge.
Strangely, I’d never ever walked further from London Bridge than HMS Belfast.
These are a few thoughts.
The Shard
I still don’t like it, as it sticks out like a saw thumb on the South Bank.
At least on the North Bank there is a cluster of skyscrapers, which make a more interesting and comprehensive backdrop.
The Tower Of London
I’ve only ever properly visited once, when a friend from University; Dave Roberts, visited me in London.
Although I did go to see the poppies. See Viewing The Poppies In The Rain. But I never went inside.
City Hall, London (Southwark)
The former City Hall looked all sad and abandoned, as it was being refurbished for whatever purpose.
I can’t think what use it will have except possibly as a showroom for Chinese EVs.
The deal between the Kuwaiti government, who own the building and London’s politicians, doesn’t appear to have been the best interests of both parties.
The Girl With A Dolphin
The Girl With a Dolphin sculpture is on the North side of the River Thames in front of the Tower Hotel.
This article in the Times, which is entitled The Naked Girl With A Dolphin At Tower Bridge? That’s Me, Says Virginia Wade, reveals the story behind the sculpture and its sculptor and model.
Conclusion
This is a walk I can recommend, as there are some excellent photographic opportunities. I think, I was lucky as the light was good and there was little cloud.
London’s Cluttered Pavements Are A Chronic Issue, Report Finds
The title of this post is the same as that of this article on the BBC.
This is the sub-heading.
Central London has “chronic issues” with street clutter, making it a worse place to live, visit and work in, a think tank has warned.
And this is the first paragraph.
A-boards, disused phone boxes and rubbish bags all make pavements unwalkable, especially for those who are mobility or sight impaired.
As someone, who was stopped from driving because of bad eyesight, I’ll agree with that paragraph.
But the biggest clutter are hire bikes just left anywhere in the middle of the pavement.
How do we stop idiots doing this?
This problem is one, where we need sensible action from the Mayor.
One of my criteria, in who gets my vote at the next Mayoral election, will be what they will be doing about street clutter.
Bikes left in places, where they shouldn’t be is easy to solve.
Transport for London should have a few trucks picking up bikes, that have been left in illegal places.
The hire companies would then need to pay an appropriate fine to get the bikes back.
I would also allow private individuals and companies to collect illegally-parked bikes. It could be a nice little earner.
The Anonymous Widower 