http://sktransport.posterous.com TRAFFIC | TRANSPORT | HIGHWAYS posterous.com Sat, 10 Dec 2011 10:00:00 -0800 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SktransportsPosterous/~3/7NwDA3EBV4Y/junction-7-m65-multimillion-pound-development http://sktransport.posterous.com/junction-7-m65-multimillion-pound-development <p> <p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <img alt="Screenshot" height="216" src="http://getfile7.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/sktransport/y6u4dnTkJDsjk9vBsQH4kE2OTtZevjZJM7zas3pnZSgPhTJdYSO4VJpGBQqm/screenshot.png.scaled980.png" width="204" /> </div> </p> <p>SK Transport Planning provided traffic, transport and highways advice for a multimillion pound residential and commercial project at Junction 7 of the M65, in Clayton Le Moors. &nbsp;</p> <p>The planning application was granted unanimous approval at committee on Wednesday 7th December.</p> <p><strong>Project Team:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Holder Mathias &ndash; masterplanner</li> <li>Dickman Associates &ndash; town planner</li> <li>SK Transport Planning &ndash; transport planner, sustainable access advisor and highway engineer</li> </ul> <p><strong>Client:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Goldtique Ventures Ltd</li> </ul> <p><strong>Project Details:</strong></p> <ul> <li>283 residential units</li> <li>30,000 sqm commercial use (B1, B2 and B8)</li> <li>Petrol filling station</li> <li>Hotel</li> <li>Pub/Restaurant&nbsp;</li> <li>Retail</li> <li>Sheltered Accomodation/Care Home</li> </ul> <p>If you would like to discuss how we can help with an existing or future project please contact Michael Kitching, Lesli Speers or John Thompson in our Manchester office on 0161 234 6509.</p> </p> <p><a href="http://sktransport.posterous.com/junction-7-m65-multimillion-pound-development">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://sktransport.posterous.com/junction-7-m65-multimillion-pound-development#comment">Leave a comment&nbsp;&nbsp;&raquo;</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/SktransportsPosterous/~4/7NwDA3EBV4Y" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/773961/photo2.JPG http://posterous.com/users/4SOc9TyHDERP Lesli Speers sktransport Lesli Speers http://sktransport.posterous.com/junction-7-m65-multimillion-pound-development Sat, 10 Dec 2011 09:21:00 -0800 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SktransportsPosterous/~3/H5YPm4iamBY/get-onside-this-christmas http://sktransport.posterous.com/get-onside-this-christmas <p> <p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <img alt="2011christmascardlowres" height="509" src="http://getfile3.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-12-15/HinjqIJrdrHnHJyFhBbJxJwEIvfIaEhaoFdcnhiFqEfJCsCDapjbnaBHJsni/2011ChristmasCardLOWRES.jpg.scaled980.jpg" width="595" /> </div> </p> </p> <p><a href="http://sktransport.posterous.com/get-onside-this-christmas">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://sktransport.posterous.com/get-onside-this-christmas#comment">Leave a comment&nbsp;&nbsp;&raquo;</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/SktransportsPosterous/~4/H5YPm4iamBY" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/773961/photo2.JPG http://posterous.com/users/4SOc9TyHDERP Lesli Speers sktransport Lesli Speers http://sktransport.posterous.com/get-onside-this-christmas Tue, 22 Nov 2011 02:46:00 -0800 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SktransportsPosterous/~3/dr58eTR-SP0/port-talbot-parkway-proposals-approved http://sktransport.posterous.com/port-talbot-parkway-proposals-approved <p> <p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <img alt="_56245875_4487_port_talbot_par" height="261" src="http://getfile9.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/sktransport/uDuqHfYaanxii3RSDONLYqVj8w9jmhhlPwNTFRh6EIk0vGUwZwWZxMQiOkgd/_56245875_4487_port_talbot_par.jpg.scaled980.jpg" width="464" /> </div> </p> <p>Port Talbot Parkway Station has received planning permission for &pound;7.5 million revamp. The proposals will improve all mobility access to the platforms, improve connectivity to the town centre and act as a trigger for future dockside regeneration.</p> <p>SK Transport Planning was appointed by Arriva Trains Wales to assess the traffic and transport implications of the upgrade on the local highway network and developed the Framework Travel Plan to encourage sustainable trips to this Port Talbot gateway site.</p> <p><strong>Project Team:</strong></p> <ul> <li>BDP - architects, town planners, structural engineers and civil engineers</li> <li>SK Transport Planning - transport planners, sustainable access advisors and highway designers</li> </ul> <p>If you would like to discuss how SK Transport Planning can assist with existing or future development proposals please contact Lesli Speers or Michael Kitching on 0161 234 6509.</p> </p> <p><a href="http://sktransport.posterous.com/port-talbot-parkway-proposals-approved">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://sktransport.posterous.com/port-talbot-parkway-proposals-approved#comment">Leave a comment&nbsp;&nbsp;&raquo;</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/SktransportsPosterous/~4/dr58eTR-SP0" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/773961/photo2.JPG http://posterous.com/users/4SOc9TyHDERP Lesli Speers sktransport Lesli Speers http://sktransport.posterous.com/port-talbot-parkway-proposals-approved Mon, 17 Oct 2011 15:36:00 -0700 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SktransportsPosterous/~3/hM_GrdWJ1AY/wow-women-of-the-year http://sktransport.posterous.com/wow-women-of-the-year <p> <p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <img alt="Photo-23" height="320" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/sktransport/q1kX2begAiLFuQ7Y6KehB5eVD5dnKADlRI590fMyVpPayBaAmZcL4o98hnmg/photo-23.jpg.scaled980.jpg" width="240" /> </div> </p> <p><span style="color: #595959; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 22px;">Today I spent the afternoon being celebrated as one of 400&nbsp;<a href="http://www.womenoftheyear.co.uk/" style="font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; color: #006699; text-decoration: none; cursor: pointer; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">Women of the Year</a>&nbsp;at a hotel on Park Lane. Apparently I am amazing - or so Sandy Toksvig kept telling me - and worthy of champagne and five star luncheons. And as lovely as this was, I still can't shake the feeling that someone, somewhere had made a mistake.</span></p> <p><span style="color: #595959; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 22px;">Perhaps somewhere out there is another, more altruistic, Lesli who got up this morning and then saved the world seven times before breakfast. This Sliding Doors Lesli probably found a cure for cancer, whilst I greedily ate her four course lunch. Tonight, as I make my way north after spending an evening buying unnecessaries in the V&amp;A, the Other Lesli is sheltering the homeless and singlehandedly fighting global warming. Poor Other Lesli will remain an unsung hero (until next year at least), because Sheila in admin put the wrong address on the envelope.</span></p> <p><span style="color: #595959; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 22px;">This is not false modesty. It is very easy to believe that there has been some awful error, because I spent most of the day gazing open mouthed at my known heroines (Maureen Lipman, Shirley Williams, Shami Chakrabarti, Nawar El Saadawi, Camila Batmanghelidjh) and being humbled by the achievements and self-sacrifice of many of the other women I had never heard of before.</span></p> <p><span style="color: #595959; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 22px;">It's difficult not to be overcome with admiration when you talk to 106 year old Hetty Bower, a veteran anti-war campaigner, originally horrified into pacifism by the state of soldiers returning from the Somme and who can still be found protesting in Trafalgar Square. Or Naveeda Ikram, the first female British Muslim Lord Mayor (at 37 she presides over the council in Bradford). Or Karen Sorab who fought to set up the Rainbow special needs school in Wandsworth and the BeyondAutism charity to fill much needed gaps in community education. Or the seven serving military medics (known as the Sister Act) who fight, on a daily basis, to save and rebuild the lives of wounded soldiers returning from Afghanistan.</span></p> <p><span style="color: #595959; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 22px;">These women are truly amazing and I am utterly humbled and very, very proud to be included. Wow.</span></p> </p> <p><a href="http://sktransport.posterous.com/wow-women-of-the-year">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://sktransport.posterous.com/wow-women-of-the-year#comment">Leave a comment&nbsp;&nbsp;&raquo;</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/SktransportsPosterous/~4/hM_GrdWJ1AY" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/773961/photo2.JPG http://posterous.com/users/4SOc9TyHDERP Lesli Speers sktransport Lesli Speers http://sktransport.posterous.com/wow-women-of-the-year Fri, 09 Sep 2011 06:39:00 -0700 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SktransportsPosterous/~3/zPJR8NUZHwU/close-your-legs http://sktransport.posterous.com/close-your-legs <p> <div style="font-family: Arial Unicode MS, sans-serif; color: #000000; font-size: 14px;"> <div> <div style="font-family: Arial Unicode MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> </span> <p style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial Unicode MS, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-size: small;">There's nothing worse than poor public transport etiquette. Just in case you forget your manners, here are some gentle nudges from Japan.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: small;">Consider yourself told.</span></p> <p style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial Unicode MS, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Arial Unicode MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">[All posters and translations/wording courtesy of the&nbsp;<a href="http://pinktentacle.com/2010/08/vintage-tokyo-subway-manner-posters/"><strong>Pink Tentacle website</strong></a>]</span></p> </div> <div style="font-family: Arial Unicode MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #f5b5c4; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <img alt="Manner_poster_3" height="459" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/sktransport/bemooUT6stlttJcKENGqtBnQBWIjUK73g8m7gi1PGR0f6dPuELJCNryr7nWJ/manner_poster_3.jpg.scaled980.jpg" width="320" /> </div> </span></div> </div> </div> <div style="color: #000000; font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial Unicode MS, sans-serif;"> <div style="font-family: Arial Unicode MS, sans-serif; color: #000000; font-size: 14px;"> <div style="font-family: Arial Unicode MS, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> <div style="font-family: Arial Unicode MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>The Seat Monopoliser (July 1976):&nbsp;</strong><span style="font-family: Arial Unicode MS;">Inspired by Charlie Chaplin's "The Great Dictator," this poster encourages passengers not to take up more seat space than necessary.</span></span></div> </div> </div> </div> <p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <img alt="Manner_poster_2" height="456" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/sktransport/preSu2ems8KWw9u8yoyapR057iOBB2NleRUtIJGh36vhFni06lqMnUmJssas/manner_poster_2.jpg.scaled980.jpg" width="320" /> </div> </p> <p><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Don't T</strong><strong>hro</strong><strong>w Chewing Gum on the Platform (September 1976):&nbsp;</strong>Even Superman is no match for chewing gum.</span></p> <p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <img alt="Manner_poster_21" height="459" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/sktransport/iaRBRH7PkWk3t9oBlJimocZPqo2vRik7ZFAskhzT7Tdqx6GaOHY7hyLCiZRe/manner_poster_21.jpg.scaled980.jpg" width="320" /> </div> </p> <p><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>You've had to much to drink (October 1976):&nbsp;</strong>Loosely translated the text reads - "I look like Santa because you've had too much to drink. It's only October. If you drink, be considerate of other passengers".</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: small;">Go to the&nbsp;<a href="http://pinktentacle.com/2010/08/vintage-tokyo-subway-manner-posters/"><strong>Pink Tentacle website</strong></a>&nbsp;for more awsomeness.</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial Unicode MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></p> <p /> <p>&nbsp;</p> </p> <p><a href="http://sktransport.posterous.com/close-your-legs">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://sktransport.posterous.com/close-your-legs#comment">Leave a comment&nbsp;&nbsp;&raquo;</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/SktransportsPosterous/~4/zPJR8NUZHwU" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/773961/photo2.JPG http://posterous.com/users/4SOc9TyHDERP Lesli Speers sktransport Lesli Speers http://sktransport.posterous.com/close-your-legs Fri, 22 Jul 2011 03:55:54 -0700 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SktransportsPosterous/~3/rrE1Z48Flhw/lesli-speers-selected-as-a-woman-of-achieveme http://sktransport.posterous.com/lesli-speers-selected-as-a-woman-of-achieveme <p> <div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial Unicode MS, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <img alt="Photo_on_2011-01-26_at_08" height="333" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/sktransport/GBP9cE3oyTlFICxkMnvyFx93uq8t4azMOjh2hVIn6FS0qZHoPpEPk4UlDTr8/Photo_on_2011-01-26_at_08.53.png.scaled980.png" width="248" /> </div> </div><p /><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial Unicode MS, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Lesli Speers has been selected as a Woman of Achievement by the Women of the Year Council.</div><p /><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial Unicode MS, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Every year the Council selects, from an extensive list of nominees, 400 of the most inspirational women of the year. For 56 years, the Women of the Year lunch has celebrated and recognised the achievements of outstanding women in society from all walks of life, creating one of the most significant gatherings of women in the world. Strictly invitation only – every single guest is hand picked in recognition of their personal contribution to society.&nbsp;Every guest is regarded as a 'Woman of the Year'. They are each individual award winners. They represent not only themselves but the millions of extraordinary women who make a difference every day.&nbsp;</div><p /><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial Unicode MS, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">This year's Women of the Year lunch will be held on 17th October at the InterContinental Hotel, Park Lane, and is sponsored by Barclays, Good Housekeeping, Sacla and Sainsbury's, and ITV1's Lorraine.</div><p /><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial Unicode MS, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Further details on the Women of the Year Foundation and awards can be found <b><a href="http://www.womenoftheyear.co.uk/">here</a>.</b></div> </p> <p><a href="http://sktransport.posterous.com/lesli-speers-selected-as-a-woman-of-achieveme">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://sktransport.posterous.com/lesli-speers-selected-as-a-woman-of-achieveme#comment">Leave a comment&nbsp;&nbsp;&raquo;</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/SktransportsPosterous/~4/rrE1Z48Flhw" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/773961/photo2.JPG http://posterous.com/users/4SOc9TyHDERP Lesli Speers sktransport Lesli Speers http://sktransport.posterous.com/lesli-speers-selected-as-a-woman-of-achieveme Thu, 23 Jun 2011 04:09:00 -0700 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SktransportsPosterous/~3/uQ8RfhhKTvo/there-be-treasure-in-manchester http://sktransport.posterous.com/there-be-treasure-in-manchester <p> <div> <div> <div><span style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"> </span></span> <div> <div> <div> <div>It's not often you get the chance to chase around Manchester looking for pirates and swig rum outside the Bridgewater Hall. When the opportunity arises you have to grab it with both hands (preferably one of which is a hook) and let your inner-competitive streak run amok.</div> </div> <p /> <div>Tuesday night was given over to the RIBA North West Solo Practioners Group's Treasure Hunt. The event was organised by Lisa Raynes (<a href="http://www.raynesarchitecture.co.uk/"><strong>Raynes Architecture</strong></a>) and Jane Leach (<a href="http://www.i-architect.co.uk/"><strong>i-architect</strong></a>). Lisa may possibly be the first&nbsp;woman ever to pull off a moustache with such style.</div> <p /> <div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <img alt="Pnw_1308815403_organisers_lisa" height="300" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/sktransport/x2dTCuqawA5pdvHgc9XEy0L5dmbgpmjQahV9qRfRjvIyX5bTVrdII9CQRzzv/pnw_1308815403_organisers_lisa.jpg.scaled980.jpg" width="402" /> </div> <p /> <div style="text-align: left;">14 rum thirsty teams set out to uncover Manchester's architectural loot. Competition was fierce and the SKTP team (ably assisted by Paul Beswick from Enzygo and Patsy from Mercer) proved to be up to the challenge. What the team lacked in architects they made up for in an alarming knowledge of Manchester's drinking holes and scavenging skills that would make you blush.</div> </div> </div> <p /> <div>The BDP team were victorious with the most points and SKTP was awarded first prize in the Scavenger Hunt. Of course, as all good pirates know, the real prize was the cocktails. Shiver me timbers.</div> <p /> <div><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <img alt="Photo-93" height="320" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/sktransport/tNzkquECwfP3KChbzl4o2udqwXlBxE3bURHdD4i6WiDa3eFc2FiMTp9cvBIR/photo-93.jpg.scaled980.jpg" width="240" /> </div> </div> <p /> <div>Read all about it in the Place North West (<a href="http://www.placenorthwest.co.uk/news/archive/9357-treasure-hunt-uncovers-manchester-s-hidden-gems.html"><strong>here</strong></a>).</div> <p /> </div> </div> </div> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p>&nbsp;</p> </p> <p><a href="http://sktransport.posterous.com/there-be-treasure-in-manchester">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://sktransport.posterous.com/there-be-treasure-in-manchester#comment">Leave a comment&nbsp;&nbsp;&raquo;</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/SktransportsPosterous/~4/uQ8RfhhKTvo" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/773961/photo2.JPG http://posterous.com/users/4SOc9TyHDERP Lesli Speers sktransport Lesli Speers http://sktransport.posterous.com/there-be-treasure-in-manchester Fri, 10 Jun 2011 08:19:00 -0700 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SktransportsPosterous/~3/sD--cGEutyc/that-friday-feeling http://sktransport.posterous.com/that-friday-feeling <p> <p><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Sometimes public transport just makes you smile.&nbsp;</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <img alt="Screen_shot_2011-06-10_at_16" height="347" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-06-10/AdBgtrBsxfoCcndnlpCfxhtBffjbfhAgAfotrmjnrFJCBsfjHrsmJuHorled/Screen_shot_2011-06-10_at_16.26.19.png.scaled980.png" width="461" /> </div> <span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 10px;">[image&nbsp;</span></span><em><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 10px;">borrowed</span></span></em><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 10px;">&nbsp;from the wonderful Reflection of Me blog, go <a href="http://reflectionof.me/sexy-legs">here</a> for more]</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Verdana;">This has given me that Friday Feeling.&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Have a good weekend.</span></p> </p> <p><a href="http://sktransport.posterous.com/that-friday-feeling">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://sktransport.posterous.com/that-friday-feeling#comment">Leave a comment&nbsp;&nbsp;&raquo;</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/SktransportsPosterous/~4/sD--cGEutyc" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/773961/photo2.JPG http://posterous.com/users/4SOc9TyHDERP Lesli Speers sktransport Lesli Speers http://sktransport.posterous.com/that-friday-feeling Thu, 02 Jun 2011 11:01:00 -0700 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SktransportsPosterous/~3/g5IL7sFlrp4/sktp-school-in-teddington-opened-by-vince-cab http://sktransport.posterous.com/sktp-school-in-teddington-opened-by-vince-cab <p> <p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <img alt="Teddingtonschool01" height="466" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-06-02/FlrIkbDEwEJGyHgBfvxygvEBvlncHfshszxshbvbuaifaoBoCxBkIuFDDFxq/TeddingtonSchool01.jpg.scaled980.jpg" width="450" /> </div> </p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">SK Transport Planning formed part of the project team on the &pound;32 million redevelopment of Teddington School, Richmond. The Teddington School project created a new education facilities for 1,200 pupils and associated community uses. In May the school was officially opened by Vince Cable MP.&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">SK Transport Planning provided full transport planning and highways advice from project inception, through planning, to construction. Including the production of the Transport Assessment, Travel Plan, BREEAM input and access designs.</span><span style="font-size: small;">&nbsp;</span></p> <ul> <li><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Client</strong>: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames</span></li> <li><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Project team:</strong>&nbsp;BDP &amp; Mace Construction</span></li> <li><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Results:</strong>&nbsp;BREEAM 'excellent' rating &amp; Bentley Be Inspired Award (Finalist)</span></li> </ul> <p><span style="font-size: small;">If you require further details of this project or have a development site requiring transport advice please don't hesitate to contact Lesli or Michael on 0161 2346509.</span></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><span style="font-size: 11px;"> </span></p> <p style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 14px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 14px; padding: 0px;"><span style="line-height: normal;"><span style="line-height: 14px;"><br /></span></span></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> </p> <p><a href="http://sktransport.posterous.com/sktp-school-in-teddington-opened-by-vince-cab">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://sktransport.posterous.com/sktp-school-in-teddington-opened-by-vince-cab#comment">Leave a comment&nbsp;&nbsp;&raquo;</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/SktransportsPosterous/~4/g5IL7sFlrp4" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/773961/photo2.JPG http://posterous.com/users/4SOc9TyHDERP Lesli Speers sktransport Lesli Speers http://sktransport.posterous.com/sktp-school-in-teddington-opened-by-vince-cab Tue, 26 Apr 2011 05:59:00 -0700 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SktransportsPosterous/~3/_VprD-oslMU/major-development-scheme-approved-in-cheshire http://sktransport.posterous.com/major-development-scheme-approved-in-cheshire <p> <p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <img alt="Image001" height="413" src="http://getfile3.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/sktransport/5DxFshiBN2LGCU6T47dpU70mALXnY3rYKGbXBEFSNE4ElASIVuNn1pcjhjtX/image001.jpg.scaled980.jpg" width="576" /> </div> </p> <p>We can this week announce that planning consent has been granted by the Cheshire East Strategic Planning Board for a major redevelopment scheme at the Albion Chemical Works, Sandbach.</p> <p>John Thompson, one of our Project Directors, has advised on the transport aspects of the development since the project inception.&nbsp; This included preparing an access strategy for the site, preparing the Transport Assessment and Travel Plan for submission with the planning application, and undertaking negotiations with Cheshire East Council and the Highways Agency to agree a package of contributions for highway improvement works and promoting sustainable travel.</p> <p><strong>Project Team:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Walsingham Planning - town planner</li> <li>SK Transport Planning - transport planner, sustainable access advisor and highway engineer</li> <li>RPS - masterplanner</li> </ul> <p><strong>Project Details:</strong></p> <ul> <li> <div>up to 375 residential units</div> </li> <li> <div>employment uses including new 12,000sqm business park</div> </li> <li> <div>2,600sqm commercial uses</div> </li> <li> <div>restoration of listed buildings on-site</div> </li> </ul> <p><strong>Client:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</strong></p> <p><a href="http://www.bluefieldland.com/bluefieldland-page2.htm">Bluefield Land Ltd</a></p> <p>For more inforation please&nbsp;contact <a href="mailto:inmail@sktransport.co.uk?subject=Renewable/Alternative%20Energy">John Thompson</a>&nbsp;in our Manchester Office on 01612346509.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> </p> <p><a href="http://sktransport.posterous.com/major-development-scheme-approved-in-cheshire">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://sktransport.posterous.com/major-development-scheme-approved-in-cheshire#comment">Leave a comment&nbsp;&nbsp;&raquo;</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/SktransportsPosterous/~4/_VprD-oslMU" height="1" width="1"/> http://sktransport.posterous.com/major-development-scheme-approved-in-cheshire Wed, 13 Apr 2011 05:49:00 -0700 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SktransportsPosterous/~3/XYj_lNmYgpk/greening-the-rainy-city-part-2 http://sktransport.posterous.com/greening-the-rainy-city-part-2 <p> <p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <img alt="_52033979_postcard_picbasincop" height="260" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/sktransport/nq7VQFNsPmKaNbmGO4gOGe4R7QQVEuIN1WaGAyRKQPZysNxQZ2YUOhXyMHrm/_52033979_postcard_picbasincop.jpg.scaled980.jpg" width="466" /> </div> </p> <p>Do you remember we reported on the Manchester Garden City initiative last year? No? Go <a href="http://sktransport.posterous.com/greening-the-rainy-city-a-tale-of-pumpkins-ja"><strong>here</strong></a> for useful links and previous reports.</p> <p>The Garden City initiative aims to increase the amount of public green space in the city, introduce new space for community projects and create temporary green space on derelict land. All with the aim of creating a truly green city.</p> <p>Work has just started on the first intiative, which will see a normally depressing stretch of the Picadilly Basin transformed with wild flowers and vegetable plots for local Northern Quarter residents.</p> <p>The initiative is looking for volunteers to help prepare the area for planting in May. If you're interested in helping contact details are available&nbsp;<strong><a href="http://www.manchestergardencity.org.uk/normal%20site/normal.html">here</a>.</strong></p> </p> <p><a href="http://sktransport.posterous.com/greening-the-rainy-city-part-2">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://sktransport.posterous.com/greening-the-rainy-city-part-2#comment">Leave a comment&nbsp;&nbsp;&raquo;</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/SktransportsPosterous/~4/XYj_lNmYgpk" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/773961/photo2.JPG http://posterous.com/users/4SOc9TyHDERP Lesli Speers sktransport Lesli Speers http://sktransport.posterous.com/greening-the-rainy-city-part-2 Mon, 11 Apr 2011 00:30:00 -0700 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SktransportsPosterous/~3/trUNya23KPA/free-energy-eh http://sktransport.posterous.com/free-energy-eh <p> <p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <img alt="Pound-symbol" height="438" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/sktransport/c6OOJRT3lql66zEj4jIFF4IQ93ADxU6qHetLbxHroxOrYxz5r6PiTvjtW9UI/pound-symbol.jpg.scaled980.jpg" width="471" /> </div> </p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">A recent article in New Scientist magazine introduces the proposition that <a href="http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg21028063.300-wind-and-wave-energies-are-not-renewable-after-all.html">Wind and wave energies are not renewable after all</a>.&nbsp; Whilst research of this type is at a very early stage it raises questions regarding how we source our energy in future and what limitations there may be on the amount of energy we can generate.&nbsp; We can expect this issue to feature in the debate on the most appropriate means of producing energy in the future, but it should surely also lead to a closer focus on how, why and how much energy we use... or need to use.</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The relationship is simple. If there is a limit to the amount of energy that can be produced in the long term, then the demand for energy has to be managed.&nbsp; There are a finite number of factors in the equation, with the total demand for energy being equal to the product of the population and the average energy consumption per capita.&nbsp; These are the fundamental components that influence our energy use.</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Relevant to this, of course, is the amount we travel.&nbsp; This is a major contributor to our energy consumption and has in the past relied heavily on fossil fuels.&nbsp; It is no surprise then that the parallels with the transport debate are so apparent.&nbsp; We have changed focus in the way we tackle the problems on our transport network.&nbsp; This has moved from simply trying to provide enough network capacity to accommodate the continuous traffic growth, that we have seen accompany the popularity of the car, to &nbsp;encompass efforts to reduce the need for travel in the first place through effective land use strategies, and to increase the efficiency of travel.&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The drive for energy efficiency in all aspects of our lives has become very familiar, with terms such as &lsquo;carbon footprint&rsquo; instantly recognisable as a measure of our impact on our environment.&nbsp; The recent <a href="http://www.earthhour.org/Homepage.aspx">Earth Hour</a> event provided an excellent reminder of the reliance we place on energy, and how wasteful we can be with it. Travel is a major factor in our demand for energy.&nbsp; In all cases it is as important as it has ever been to examine the way our behaviour affects the world around us, whether it is wasteful delays on our road network or leaving appliances switched on when they are not needed.&nbsp;</span></p> <div> <div> <div> <div> <p style="margin-top: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif; font-size: small;">By recognising the limitations of our resources we take the first and most important step to working within the constraints of our environment.&nbsp;</span></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </p> <p><a href="http://sktransport.posterous.com/free-energy-eh">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://sktransport.posterous.com/free-energy-eh#comment">Leave a comment&nbsp;&nbsp;&raquo;</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/SktransportsPosterous/~4/trUNya23KPA" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/773961/photo2.JPG http://posterous.com/users/4SOc9TyHDERP Lesli Speers sktransport Lesli Speers http://sktransport.posterous.com/free-energy-eh Fri, 08 Apr 2011 03:58:00 -0700 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SktransportsPosterous/~3/uQWO5LuWlSs/tour-de-bdp-cycle-for-jo http://sktransport.posterous.com/tour-de-bdp-cycle-for-jo <p> <p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <img alt="Cycle_for_jo" height="424" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-04-08/wBhEwvFldCregysvbAotBroEawkAhjGIgcFAvpAoBlpxehpEeeDiDhvAvfmo/cycle_for_jo.jpg.scaled980.jpg" width="517" /> </div> </p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; font-size: small;">I am sure you have followed the tragic case of Jo Yeates in the national media over the last few months. Jo was a young, bright landscape architect in BDP&rsquo;s Bristol studio. She went missing on 17 December 2010, and was found murdered on Christmas Day.</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; font-size: small;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 16px;">BDP has resolved to honour Jo&rsquo;s memory in a number of ways, including the creation of a small garden of remembrance, the sponsorship of an annual landscape design prize at the University of Gloucester, and a sponsored cycle ride.</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 16px;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 16px;">The cycle ride, Cycle for Jo, will involve over 150 riders from BDP on a relay tour around all of BDP&rsquo;s studios in the UK, Ireland, and the Netherlands. Riders are giving their time and their energy, BDP is funding all the logistics, support and safety needs, and we are looking to our friends in property and construction to support the tour through corporate sponsorship or personal gifting. All sponsorship and gifting proceeds will be split between three charities &ndash; Missing People, the British Red Cross, and the RSPCA.&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 16px;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 16px;">If you feel able to sponsor then you can do so using this <span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/bdp"><strong>link</strong></a>&nbsp;</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">&nbsp;</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;">We at SK Transport Planning wish the BDP cyclists the best of luck!</span></p> </p> <p><a href="http://sktransport.posterous.com/tour-de-bdp-cycle-for-jo">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://sktransport.posterous.com/tour-de-bdp-cycle-for-jo#comment">Leave a comment&nbsp;&nbsp;&raquo;</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/SktransportsPosterous/~4/uQWO5LuWlSs" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/773961/photo2.JPG http://posterous.com/users/4SOc9TyHDERP Lesli Speers sktransport Lesli Speers http://sktransport.posterous.com/tour-de-bdp-cycle-for-jo Tue, 05 Apr 2011 13:30:00 -0700 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SktransportsPosterous/~3/QRMnRKnd9CE/electric-luxury http://sktransport.posterous.com/electric-luxury <p> <p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <img alt="Image001" height="276" src="http://getfile3.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/sktransport/4q42C6yTrMbwK48P1Ihl8LwkXH73Kh26DjuVGmFjHzewmG5DQ4yrGpR4CvQR/image001.jpg.scaled980.jpg" width="741" /> </div> </p> <p>The debate on the future of vehicle power sources has taken a high profile step with the unveiling of the electric powered Rolls Royce Phantom experimental vehicle.&nbsp; The introduction of the car marks the beginning of a year-long programme by the luxury car manufacturer to test one of the possible solutions for powering private vehicles in the future.&nbsp;</p> <p>The angle of this research is whether this is likely to be the best form of drive system for the ultra-luxury end of the market, but it is an undeniably significant step in the inexorable shift away from fossil fuels as our main source of power for private travel.&nbsp;</p> <p>Rolls Royce will be testing the car over the next year to determine its suitability for their market.&nbsp; They have also extended an open invitation to join the debate on the future of car travel and have set up a website (<a href="http://www.electricluxury.com/">Electric Luxury</a>) where you can air your views and see the feedback from other contributors, including those invited to test the car.</p> <p>Our appetite for travel makes the future of vehicle drive systems one of the most significant debates in the sustainability arena.&nbsp; As more and more manufacturers embrace alternative technologies it will be us, as consumers, who influence the future of our transport technology.&nbsp; You can find a summary of the key facts and figures from recent research on electric cars in our <a href="http://sktransport.posterous.com/new-electric-ride">New Electric Ride</a> post. &nbsp;Join the debate now!&nbsp;</p> </p> <p><a href="http://sktransport.posterous.com/electric-luxury">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://sktransport.posterous.com/electric-luxury#comment">Leave a comment&nbsp;&nbsp;&raquo;</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/SktransportsPosterous/~4/QRMnRKnd9CE" height="1" width="1"/> http://sktransport.posterous.com/electric-luxury Sun, 03 Apr 2011 15:01:00 -0700 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SktransportsPosterous/~3/05f8cGQqL9I/tripping-the-light-fantastic-with-bdp http://sktransport.posterous.com/tripping-the-light-fantastic-with-bdp <p> <p><span style="font-family: Consolas;">We've been invited to this:</span></p> <p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <img alt="Bdp_light_night" height="440" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/sktransport/zTPR8Y5cqoofkPtmiRVTyCwZGsvirsZCe9ibFBBD7FoVM0avqPi7nQce1hBl/BDP_Light_Night.bmp.converted.jpg.scaled980.jpg" width="439" /> </div> </p> <p><span style="font-family: Consolas;">Looks good, eh?&nbsp;</span></p> <div><span style="font-family: Consolas;">If you fancy it contact Brendan Keely at BDP (0161 8348441). Hopefully we'll see you there.</span></div> </p> <p><a href="http://sktransport.posterous.com/tripping-the-light-fantastic-with-bdp">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://sktransport.posterous.com/tripping-the-light-fantastic-with-bdp#comment">Leave a comment&nbsp;&nbsp;&raquo;</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/SktransportsPosterous/~4/05f8cGQqL9I" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/773961/photo2.JPG http://posterous.com/users/4SOc9TyHDERP Lesli Speers sktransport Lesli Speers http://sktransport.posterous.com/tripping-the-light-fantastic-with-bdp Sun, 06 Mar 2011 15:32:00 -0800 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SktransportsPosterous/~3/EovHqMqfUk8/international-womens-day-three-cheers-for-wom http://sktransport.posterous.com/international-womens-day-three-cheers-for-wom <p> <p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <img alt="Unknown" height="220" src="http://getfile3.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/sktransport/MEPnhW964yQIW7rGgxkb7I3retnJKIWRjgO287Nv68uGTUdwNyXblXXsxVTC/Unknown.jpeg.scaled980.jpg" width="220" /> </div> </p> <p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Tuesday 8th March is International Women's Day. A global day celebrating the political, economic and social achievements of women past, present and future. This year it's the 100th anniversary of the first International Women's Day; in 1911 people campaigned through-out Europe for women's rights to vote, work and hold public office. We have come far, but we still have far to go.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Women are still discriminated against and disadvantaged in the developed and developing world. In many countries women are still underpaid, abused and exploited. Despite these hurdles many women rise to greatness and become inspirations to us all; from achieving political power in a male dominated world to overcoming poverty and political unrest with dignity and courage to improve local communities and society.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">I was asked today by Lisa Raynes (<a href="http://www.raynesarchitecture.co.uk/">Raynes Architecture</a>) which women inspire me. So here they are (in no particular order):</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">1)&nbsp;Anita Roddick (Founder of the Body Shop and environmental campaigner) - Although the sale of the Body Shop has cast a smear on Anita's reputation, it can't be forgotten that before this she built a great business without compromising her ethics. She did it her way.</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">2)&nbsp;Kim Phuc (Founder of the Kim Foundation) - Kim will be forever remembered as the naked girl in the photo after a napalm attack in Vietnam. Kim has turned fame on its head and now runs a foundation which helps war affected children.&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">3)&nbsp;Michelle McDowell (BDP Chair of Civil and Structural Engineering) - Michelle has risen to the top of a predominantly male industry. She has previously been the Chair of the ICE and is currently Chair of the ACE. Michelle was awarded a MBE for services to the construction industry in 2010.</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">4)&nbsp;Barbara Castle (Labour Member of Parliament) - First elected in 1945, Barbara is arguably one of the most prominent politicians of the 20th Century. Barbara pushed through the 1970 Equal Pay Act and also was instrumental in Child Benefit reforms.</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">5)&nbsp;Lisa Simpson (proto-feminist) - Lisa has high ideals in the face of unintentional opposition. She also has a book collection to die for (go <a href="http://lisasimpsonbookclub.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">here</a> for a great blog on Lisa's must reads).</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">6)&nbsp;Margaret Drabble (Author) - Margaret was one of the first feminist movement authors. She used her work to highlight 1960s social issues and the plight of women. Notably "The Millstone" which was instrumental in the movement to change maternity care in hospitals.&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">7)&nbsp;Emmeline Pankhurst (Political activist and leader of the suffragette movement) - No list of inspirational women would be complete without the forebear of the women's movement, particularly not a list written in Manchester. Enough said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">8)&nbsp;Dr Wangari Maathi (Environmental and political activist) - Wangari founded the Green Belt Movement in Kenya, which focuses on women's rights and protecting the environment. Wangari became the first African woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004.</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><span style="">9</span>)&nbsp;Camilia Batmanghelidjh (Founder of Kids Company) - Camilia set up Kids Company 13 years ago to provide practical, emotional and educational support to vulnerable children in London. For the majority of this time Kids Company has survived on charitable donations only, on more than one occasion Camilia has remortgaged her own house to keep the charity going. Camilia has become an important and influential voice for children throughout the UK.</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">10)&nbsp;Beverley Speers (My mum) - Beverley has travelled the world with my dad, always finding a career and creating a home where-ever we were based. Since returning to the UK she has risen swiftly through the ranks of the civil service. More importantly she has taught me that I can do anything I want and that there is no barrier to achieving my dreams. She continues to inspire me today.</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">They're all quite amazing, but there are millions of other women across the world doing inspiring, uncelebrated things every day. Women like you. Don't forget to celebrate them all.</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">Here's some handy links to other sites that are celebrating International Women's Day. Go see what they have to say and what they're doing.</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">1)&nbsp;<a href="http://www.womeninproperty.org.uk/branches/north-west/events/2011/v-day.aspx">Women in Property</a></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><a href="http://www.womeninproperty.org.uk/branches/north-west/events/2011/v-day.aspx"></a></span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">2)<span style=""> </span><a href="http://www.manchestergalleries.org/whats-on/women-like-you/">Manchester Art Gallery</a></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><a href="http://www.manchestergalleries.org/whats-on/women-like-you/"></a></span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">3)<span style=""> </span><a href="http://www.whitworth.manchester.ac.uk/whatson/exhibitions/marykelly/">The Whitworth Gallery</a></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><a href="http://www.whitworth.manchester.ac.uk/whatson/exhibitions/marykelly/"></a></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">4)<span style=""> </span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><a href="http://www.birdhousefund.org/">The Birdshouse Fund</a></span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><a href="http://www.birdhousefund.org/"></a></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">5)<span style=""> </span><a href="http://www.phm.org.uk/community-gallery/international-womens-day-manchester-quilt/">People's History Museum</a></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><a href="http://www.phm.org.uk/community-gallery/international-womens-day-manchester-quilt/"></a></span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">6)<span style=""> </span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><a href="http://nowhere-fest.blogspot.com/search?updated-min=2011-01-01T00%3A00%3A00-08%3A00&amp;updated-max=2012-01-01T00%3A00%3A00-08%3A00&amp;max-results=5">Loiterers Resistance Movement</a></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><a href="http://nowhere-fest.blogspot.com/search?updated-min=2011-01-01T00%3A00%3A00-08%3A00&amp;updated-max=2012-01-01T00%3A00%3A00-08%3A00&amp;max-results=5"></a></span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">7)<span style=""> </span><a>Manchester Women's Design Group</a></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">What will I be doing? On Tuesday (at 12.30pm) I'll be going along to the launch of the <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/osview/canvas?_ch_page_id=1&amp;_ch_panel_id=1&amp;_ch_app_id=7083120&amp;_applicationId=2000&amp;_ownerId=0&amp;appParams=%7B%22go_to%22:%22events/506118%22,%22referrer%22:%22public%22%7D" target="_blank">International Women's Day Storytelling Quilt</a> at the People's History Museum, with a bra in hand. We don't burn them these days, oh no, we make bunting out of them. See you there?</span></span></p> <div> <div> <div> <div> <p style="margin-top: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><strong>Read previous post: <a href="http://sktransport.posterous.com/new-electric-ride">Electric Ride!</a></strong></span></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </p> <p><a href="http://sktransport.posterous.com/international-womens-day-three-cheers-for-wom">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://sktransport.posterous.com/international-womens-day-three-cheers-for-wom#comment">Leave a comment&nbsp;&nbsp;&raquo;</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/SktransportsPosterous/~4/EovHqMqfUk8" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/773961/photo2.JPG http://posterous.com/users/4SOc9TyHDERP Lesli Speers sktransport Lesli Speers http://sktransport.posterous.com/international-womens-day-three-cheers-for-wom Thu, 10 Feb 2011 06:21:00 -0800 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SktransportsPosterous/~3/fLbiDr-Q4MQ/new-electric-ride http://sktransport.posterous.com/new-electric-ride <p> <div><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <img alt="Images" height="174" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-02-10/eehDfJxlForbAJiCwoGBcsJnkErpCndwzxyEGFGrCtldGJAFqEfgfecBCncB/images.jpeg.scaled980.jpg" width="290" /> </div> </div> <div><strong><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Corbel;"><span style="color: #000000;">(<em>image&nbsp;</em></span><em><span style="color: #000000;">source:&nbsp;<span style="color: #ff6600;"><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/jul/28/electric-car-grant-scheme">The Guardian</a></span></span></em><span style="color: #000000;">)</span></span></strong></div> <p /> <div><span style="font-family: Corbel; font-size: 15px; color: #999999;"><span style="color: #000000;">The Government&rsquo;s recently published white paper (</span></span><span style="font-family: Corbel; font-size: 15px; color: #ff6600;"><a href="http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/regional/sustainabletransport/pdf/whitepaper.pdf">Creating Growth, Cutting Carbon</a></span><span style="font-family: Corbel; font-size: 15px; color: #999999;"><span style="color: #000000;">) outlines further commitment to decarbonising the private car fleet (promoting electric cars and necessary infrastructure to you and me).</span></span></div> <div><span style="font-family: Corbel; font-size: 15px;">The debate still rages between electrophiles and electrophobes. Luckily for you, we&rsquo;ve waded through the facts to outline the opportunities and barriers to these new electric rides.</span></div> <p /> <div><strong><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Corbel;"><span style="color: #000000;">ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS</span></span></strong></div> <p /> <div><strong><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Corbel;"><span style="color: #000000;">1. Emissions</span></span></strong></div> <div><span style="font-family: Corbel; font-size: 15px;">Electric cars don&rsquo;t emit carbon from the vehicle and don&rsquo;t use energy when stationary in traffic queues. The lack of emissions will also help reduce roadside air quality problems.</span></div> <div><span style="font-family: Corbel; font-size: 15px;">At the moment electric cars aren&rsquo;t entirely green. The electricity used to charge the vehicles doesn&rsquo;t necessarily come from entirely green/renewable sources. Even with the current grid mix the well to wheel carbon emissions (carbon emitted during completeenergy production process and powering the car) of electric vehicles is still far better than that of a small/medium fossil fuel car.</span></div> <p /> <div> <div> <div> <table class="MsoTableGrid" border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none;"> <tr> <td valign="top" style="padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;" width="142"> <p style=""><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Corbel;">Electric Car</span></p> </td> <td valign="top" style="border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;" width="154"> <p style=""><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Corbel;">Small/Medium Fossil Fuel Car</span></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" style="border-top: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;" width="142"> <p style=""><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Corbel;">80g CO2/km</span></p> </td> <td valign="top" style="border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;" width="154"> <p style=""><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Corbel;">147.6g CO2/km</span></p> </td> </tr> </table> </div> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Corbel;"><span style="color: #000000;">Table 1: Well to Wheel Carbon Emissions (</span><em><span style="color: #000000;">source: </span><span style="color: #ff6600;"><a href="http://lib.smmt.co.uk/articles/MemberServices/MemberServices/SMMT%20Electric%20Car%20Guide%202010.pdf">Society of Motor Manufacturers</a></span></em><span style="color: #000000;">)</span></span></strong></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Corbel; font-size: 15px;"><span style="color: #000000;">The data presented in </span><strong><span style="color: #000000;">table 1</span></strong><span style="color: #000000;"> shows worst-case electric car well to wheel figures as it is based on the average current grid mix and is compared to small/medium fossil fuel car.</span></span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Corbel; font-size: 15px;"><span style="color: #000000;">The </span><span style="color: #ff6600;"><a href="http://www.berr.gov.uk/files/file48653.pdf">Department for Transport</a></span><span style="color: #000000;"> has estimated that the life cycle (180,000 miles) of electric cars offer a 40% carbon saving when compared to typical petrol car in the UK. This figure takes into account construction, running, energy production and disposal energy used.</span></span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Corbel; font-size: 15px;">The Government is committed to decarbonising the national grid and the carbon saving from electric vehicles is only going to get better over time as the grid becomes more renewable.</span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Corbel;"><span style="color: #000000;">2. Efficiency</span></span></strong></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Corbel; font-size: 15px;"><span style="color: #000000;">Electric vehicles and combustion engine vehicles have an average efficiency of 80% and 25% respectively, where the efficiency is based on the energy used for useful motion (</span><span style="color: #ff6600;"><em><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ten-Technologies-Fix-Energy-Climate/dp/1846688779">source: Chris Goodall</a></em></span><span style="color: #000000;">).</span></span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Corbel; font-size: 15px;">These figures do not allow for energy lost and inefficiencies in the production of electricity or refining oil. Even allowing for current inefficiencies in national grid electricity production, electric vehicles are considerably more efficient than the combustion engine.</span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Corbel; font-size: 15px;">As the grid becomes more decarbonised electricity production efficiencies will improve. <a href="http://www.ecotricity.co.uk/">Ecotricity</a> estimate that wind and nuclear power generation have 100% efficiency rates.This coupled with improvements in battery technology will further improve the electric vehicles efficiency.</span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Corbel;"><span style="color: #000000;">3. Noise &amp; Health</span></span></strong></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Corbel; font-size: 15px;">The electric vehicle is quieter than its combustion engine counterpart. This will reduce noise from road traffic. Concerns have been raised that lack of noise will lead to increased road accidents. It is understood that manufacturers are considering artificial noises to act as warnings. The vehicles will still be quieter and this should lead to improved roadside environments.</span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Corbel; font-size: 15px;">Electric cars have no tailpipes and the lack of vehicular emissions will have local air quality benefits. This in itself should contribute to reduced health problems relating to local air quality. Concerns have been raised that the knock-on effect of this will be increased electricity production at power stations and the impact of air quality in these areas. The Department for Transport has stated that there is sufficient electricity in the grid to cope with increased electric vehicle take-up, meaning that no additional energy is required. If electricity did increase the decarbonising of the grid and increased Government policy regarding clean energy practices should lessen this. It is after all easier to clean up the emissions from a few power stations, rather than attempt to tackle every exhaust pipe in the country.</span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Corbel;"><span style="color: #000000;">FINANCIAL FACTORS</span></span></strong></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Corbel;"><span style="color: #000000;">1. Purchase Costs</span></span></strong></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong>&nbsp;</strong><span style="font-family: Corbel; font-size: 15px;"><span style="color: #000000;">The purchase cost of electric vehicles is currently prohibitive and will act as a barrier to take-up, even with current Government purchase subsidies (</span><span style="color: #ff6600;"><a href="http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/sustainable/olev/grant1/">Plug-in Car Grant</a></span><span style="color: #000000;">) and incentives (vehicle excise duty, congestion charge etc). The current price of a </span><span style="color: #ff6600;"><a href="http://www.nissan.co.uk/?cid=pselectricvehicleUK_enelectricvehiclelocuk&amp;kw=Nissan_leaf#vehicles/electricvehicles/leaf">Nissan Leaf</a></span><span style="color: #000000;"> is &pound;29,990, reduced to &pound;23,990 when the Government grant is included.</span></span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Corbel; font-size: 15px;">Obviously the purchase price needs to come down if we&rsquo;re going to see the transfer from fossil fuel cars that the Government is looking for. There are distinct similarities between the pricing of the first generation electric cars and that of the original 1980s mobile phones. As with mobile phones, costs will reduce over time to allow wider coverage.</span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Corbel;"><span style="color: #000000;">2. Fuel Costs</span></span></strong></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong>&nbsp;</strong><span style="font-family: Corbel; font-size: 15px;"><span style="color: #000000;">The move to an electric vehicle will reduce petrol/diesel purchases and increase household electricity bills. The cost of fuelling your car will be cheaper. The average fuel cost per litre is shown in </span><strong><span style="color: #000000;">table 2</span></strong><span style="color: #000000;">.</span></span><span style="font-family: Corbel; font-size: 15px;">&nbsp;</span></p> <div> <table class="MsoTableGrid" border="1" style="margin-left: 11.7pt; border-collapse: collapse; border: none;" width="416"> <tr> <td valign="top" style="padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;" width="131"> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Corbel;">Electric Car </span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Corbel;">(low rate electricity)</span></p> </td> <td valign="top" style="border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;" width="127"> <p style=""><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Corbel;">Electric Car </span></p> <p style=""><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Corbel;">(standard rate electricity)</span></p> </td> <td valign="top" style="border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;" width="158"> <p style=""><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Corbel;">Medium Fossil Fuel</span></p> <p style=""><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Corbel;">(fuel efficient) Car</span></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" style="border-top: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;" width="131"> <p style=""><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Corbel;">&pound;0.04 &pound;/litre</span></p> </td> <td valign="top" style="border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;" width="127"> <p style=""><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Corbel;">&pound;0.14 &pound;/litre</span></p> </td> <td valign="top" style="border-top: none; border-left: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;" width="158"> <p style=""><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Corbel;">&pound;1.19 &pound;/litre</span></p> </td> </tr> </table> </div> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Corbel;"><span style="color: #000000;">Table 2: Average Fuel Costs (</span><em><span style="color: #000000;">source: Society of Motor Manufacturers</span></em><span style="color: #000000;">)</span></span></strong></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong></strong><span style="font-family: Corbel; font-size: 15px;">This table compares a fuel-efficient medium fossil fuel car with a similar sized electric vehicle.</span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Corbel; font-size: 15px;">It is likely that petrol prices will escalate in the future as oil becomes more difficult to mine.</span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Corbel;"><span style="color: #000000;">3. Total Costs</span></span></strong></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong></strong><span style="font-family: Corbel; font-size: 15px;">The Society of Motor Manufacturers has estimated the current total cost of an electric car (purchase, running and depreciation) at 33p per mile, compared to 36p per mile for a fuel efficient medium fossil fuel car.</span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Corbel; font-size: 15px;">The differential is currently quite low, but it should be noted that data on depreciation costs and likely maintenance costs is currently unknown and a worst-case has been used. Similarly the current purchase cost of electric vehicles is prohibitive; again this is likely to reduce drastically over time. Finally the cost comparisonfails to acknowledge well to wheel emissions for the fossil fuel vehicle.</span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Corbel; font-size: 15px;">The comparison presented is conservative and underestimates the true financial benefits of electric cars. In reality the total cost of an electric vehicle is lower and this will improve over time.</span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Corbel;"><span style="color: #000000;">INFRASTRUCTURE FACTORS</span></span></strong></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong></strong><strong><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Corbel;"><span style="color: #000000;">1. Range</span></span></strong></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong></strong><span style="font-family: Corbel; font-size: 15px;">The average range of an electric vehicle is currently 100 miles and there are insufficient charging points in the UK. This limits electric car use for certain trips.</span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Corbel; font-size: 15px;">A bit of realism is needed here. The majority of trips undertaken in the UK are less than 5 miles. So the current range would work for the majority of trips. Ok, you&rsquo;re unlikely to travel to Scotland in your electric car, but then there are other means available for these trips; you could hire another car or take the train.</span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Corbel; font-size: 15px;"><span style="color: #000000;">In terms of infrastructure, the Government are committed to installing </span><span style="color: #ff6600;"><a href="http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/sustainable/olev/infrastructure/">11,000 charging points</a></span><span style="color: #000000;"> in London, the North East and Milton Keynes. Charging infrastructure is going to become more prevalent as demand for the cars increases. This will allow fast charge-ups for longer journeys.</span></span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Corbel; font-size: 15px;">The current fleet of electric cars are a transitional technology. Battery life and infrastructure is going to improve as the technology advances. The electric car isn&rsquo;t going to suit everyone at the moment, but it realistically fits with a lot of current travel patterns and if the purchase price can be brought down then it does offer areal, cleaner alternative to the combustion engine.</span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Corbel;"><span style="color: #000000;">2. Congestion</span></span></strong></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong></strong><span style="font-family: Corbel; font-size: 15px;"><span style="color: #000000;">The electrification of the private car fleet isn&rsquo;t going to resolve congestion problems. But then it&rsquo;s not supposed to. Electric cars are only part of the solution to achieving an integrated sustainable transport system. Behaviour change and increased use of public transport and truly green modes (walking and cycling) are still important solutions to the economic and social problems caused by congestion. </span><span style="color: #ff6600;"><a href="http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/regional/sustainabletransport/pdf/whitepaper.pdf">The Government</a></span><span style="color: #000000;"> and </span><span style="color: #ff6600;"><a href="http://sktransport.posterous.com/smart-choices-smart-cash-creating-growth-cutt">SK Transport Planning</a></span><span style="color: #000000;"> are committed to encouraging and facilitating local trips on foot, by bike and by public transport.</span></span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Corbel;"><span style="color: #000000;">WHAT WE THINK</span></span></strong></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong></strong><span style="font-family: Corbel; font-size: 15px;">It&rsquo;s difficult to get an accurate picture of the benefits of electric cars at the moment. This isn&rsquo;t because there aren&rsquo;t any benefits, but because the technology is new and data is limited and often confused by wrongly comparing carbon costs (i.e. our research frequently saw fossil fuel car carbon emissions which excluded the cost of refining oil). The electric vehicles on the market are a transitional technology that is only going to get better and better. As the car and electricity technology improves vast environmental and financial savings (when compared to the fossil fuel fleet) will become even more apparent.</span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Corbel; font-size: 15px;">Like mobile phone technology, as electric car manufacturing and battery technology improves this will drive down purchase costs, reducing current cost barriers to take-up.</span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Corbel; font-size: 15px;">Alongside changes in local travel behaviour the decarbonisation of the private car fleet and the national grid are an essential component to our sustainable future.</span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Corbel; font-size: 15px;">Don&rsquo;t just take our word for it; go have a look at Robert Llewellyn&rsquo;s <span style="color: #ff6600;"><a href="http://www.llewtube.com/" target="_blank">Fully Charged podcasts</a></span> for more information. Robert Llewellyn is the poster boy for the electric movement and his videos are highly informative, thought provoking and frankly down-right funny.</span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Corbel; font-size: 15px;">After all these facts you probably need some light relief, why not have a listen to Captain Beefheart&rsquo;s New Electric Ride while you ponder our electrifying future.</span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Corbel; font-size: 15px;">We&rsquo;re looking forward to our new electric ride, are you?</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: Corbel;"><span style="color: #000000;">&nbsp;</span></span><span style="font-family: Corbel; font-size: 15px;"><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/6D79JaHynRQ?wmode=transparent" allowfullscreen frameborder="0" height="417" width="500"></iframe></span></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> </div> </div> </p> <p><a href="http://sktransport.posterous.com/new-electric-ride">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://sktransport.posterous.com/new-electric-ride#comment">Leave a comment&nbsp;&nbsp;&raquo;</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/SktransportsPosterous/~4/fLbiDr-Q4MQ" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/773961/photo2.JPG http://posterous.com/users/4SOc9TyHDERP Lesli Speers sktransport Lesli Speers http://sktransport.posterous.com/new-electric-ride Tue, 01 Feb 2011 01:02:00 -0800 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SktransportsPosterous/~3/QBg1ocuR0Pg/go-on-purchase-some-karma-free-the-trees http://sktransport.posterous.com/go-on-purchase-some-karma-free-the-trees <p> <p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <img alt="Grizedale1" height="600" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-02-01/vaHgvFlFrjepAeattwtqCbenjvDIHeJamushpoibdvzyjIcFfmmtwtwjBfaB/Grizedale1.jpg.scaled980.jpg" width="600" /> <img alt="Saveourtrees" height="366" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-02-01/frIhyinCulxbdsdbgIqulDwmeHwrkqqoqyzgyHzjFGpCikAfwxhtjikIBjEj/SaveOurTrees.jpg.scaled980.jpg" width="151" /> <img alt="Grizedale2" height="240" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-02-01/yxyryBADgvIqznAnjetsHaiHxvyqgmIoqgijlylDlAclDhcHHwrcHpGvmyxj/grizedale2.jpg.scaled980.jpg" width="320" /> <img alt="Grizedale3" height="240" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-02-01/ysiyEkDeEecHAbkmxwuHJwotufhdmCoypJIgyhIJyEbxDmgthpfyqraFxizm/grizedale3.jpg.scaled980.jpg" width="320" /> <div class='p_see_full_gallery'><a href="http://sktransport.posterous.com/go-on-purchase-some-karma-free-the-trees">See the full gallery on Posterous</a></div> </div> </p> <p>I'm usually politically inactive to the point of laziness. I've never protested about anything, preferring to sit in my armchair grumbling at Question Time. On Sunday though I dragged my family to Grizedale Forest to join a thousand other people and voice my opposition to the Government's Public Bodies Reform Bill. &nbsp;Amongst other things Clause 17 of this Bill would permit the sale of our public forests.</p> <p>Personally I can see no robust economic, cultural, sustainability or social reasons for the clauses in the Bill. &nbsp;I feel that a price tag cannot be put on something that is such an important national asset. During a time when the sustainability and carbon agenda are at high priority, I can't understand how the Government can consider selling something that is an integral part of the carbon chain, guarantees biodiversity and may be important to our future take up of renewable energy systems. I also feel that open access for all to these areas (whether they be walkers, cyclists, riders or picnic-ing families) is socially important and should not be put in jeopardy for short-sighted, short-term financial gain. &nbsp;Many of the forests in questions are important to local rural economies and provide a good sustainable source of wood for national industry. The revenue they generate through tourism also should not be underestimated. &nbsp;</p> <p>Although I feel that the environmental and moral arguments surrounding the issue far outweigh any of the Government's economic posturing or recent statements regarding the Forestry Commission, it's worth noting that the Forestry Commission only costs 30p per person per year to fund and 70% of the management costs are offset by commercial revenue.&nbsp;</p> <p>I want to preserve these important national, natural resources for my child and future generations.&nbsp;</p> <p>The movement to oppose the Bill is growing, but it still needs your help. &nbsp;The Bill will be debated in Parliament on Wednesday 2nd February, before a vote in a couple of months. Please&nbsp;sign the&nbsp;<a href="http://www.38degrees.org.uk/page/s/save-our-forests#petition" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><strong>38 Degrees Petition</strong></a>&nbsp;and write to your MP (<a href="http://saveourwoods.co.uk/what-you-can-do/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><strong>go here for example letter contents</strong></a>). &nbsp;</p> <p>If this hasn't convinced you, read this evocative letter from Stuart Maconie (<a href="http://www.savelakelandsforests.org.uk/stuart-maconie-message.html" rel="nofollow"><strong>here</strong></a>), look what might happen to Pooh and Piglet (<strong><a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/matt/">here</a></strong>) and please remember that <a href="http://kindertrespass.com/index.asp?ID=30"><strong>Benny Rothman</strong></a> said we should be "vigilant, and determined to oppose any threat to the countryside from whatever source it may come".</p> <p><strong>Go on, purchase some karma and help free the trees for the future.</strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p /> <p>&nbsp;</p> </p> <p><a href="http://sktransport.posterous.com/go-on-purchase-some-karma-free-the-trees">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://sktransport.posterous.com/go-on-purchase-some-karma-free-the-trees#comment">Leave a comment&nbsp;&nbsp;&raquo;</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/SktransportsPosterous/~4/QBg1ocuR0Pg" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/773961/photo2.JPG http://posterous.com/users/4SOc9TyHDERP Lesli Speers sktransport Lesli Speers http://sktransport.posterous.com/go-on-purchase-some-karma-free-the-trees Sun, 30 Jan 2011 13:00:00 -0800 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SktransportsPosterous/~3/jVrtu0nAHrc/the-train-commandments http://sktransport.posterous.com/the-train-commandments <p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 13.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; font: 11.0px American Typewriter;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <img alt="Trainblog" height="270" src="http://getfile9.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-01-25/mvBpcoaFivwwnIxghsJtJqAIlsDzFagEtenbtugrycagpwdGoiFAsptxpnhC/trainblog.jpg.scaled980.jpg" width="216" /> </div> </span></p> <p><span style="font-family: American Typewriter;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 13.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; font: 13.0px American Typewriter;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">As you know, we are keen to promote sustainable trip making at any opportunity. &nbsp;We do understand that sometimes when travelling en masse&nbsp;your fellow commuters irritate you and this may put you off. &nbsp;We are keen that you don't just climb into your car the next time someone sneezes on you or tuts at you for having to move their huge bag off a seat so you can rest your weary legs. Luckily for us (and you) <a href="http://twitter.com/judy_jay"><span style="text-decoration: underline; letter-spacing: 0.0px color;"><strong>Judy Johnson</strong></span></a> has just written the Train Commandments on her blog (<a href="http://www.judyjohnsonjourno.com/"><span style="text-decoration: underline; letter-spacing: 0.0px color;"><strong>click here for Judy's blog</strong></span></a>). Judy has kindly allowed us to reproduce these on our site.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 13.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; font: 13.0px American Typewriter;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I suggest that you print these out and distribute them liberally at your local station. &nbsp;Don't be embarrassed, hand a copy to the next person that you find with their feet on the seats. &nbsp;Go forth, evangelise and don't rest until we can all co-commute in peace and harmony. God&rsquo;s speed.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 13.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; font: 13.0px American Typewriter;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><strong>The Train Commandments by Judy Johnson</strong></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; font: 13.0px American Typewriter;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><strong>1. Thou shalt allow air into the train</strong></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; font: 13.0px American Typewriter;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I like air. Don't you? Nice fresh air that wakes you up a little, helps you breathe, you know the stuff. So why, oh dear commuter, must you sit there idly, in your privileged window seat, as we all roast in this cabin of heated hell? If the windows are steamy, it's not for drawing in - it's sweat and breath and goodness knows what else, so open a window. It won't bite. If there is not a single window open on your carriage, despite it being full of people sitting and standing in every space available, open a window. I don't care if it's raining. I don't care if it's snowing. You're probably wearing a coat. Man up and open it so that we don't all have to sweat and smell each other's breath - there's just no need to do that with strangers.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; font: 13.0px American Typewriter;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">&nbsp;</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; font: 13.0px American Typewriter;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><strong>2. Thou shalt not sit next to your invisible friend</strong></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; font: 13.0px American Typewriter;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Are you sitting on the aisle side? Look at the seat next to you. Is it empty? Now look around the carriage. Is the train getting full? Are people standing? Are you approaching a station with a platform full of people? Here's a thought - don't keep an empty seat next to you for no reason. Someone will see it and they will climb over you to get to it. That will be awkward, they might even touch you a bit with their boot, and given that you like sitting next to empty seats that can't be good. Shuffle over to the window side (or the middle if you're in a row of three, there you go) and let someone sit down without having to negotiate the space between your feet and bags. Oh, and bags on a seat? Don't you dare.&nbsp;</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; font: 13.0px American Typewriter;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">&nbsp;</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; font: 13.0px American Typewriter;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><strong>3. Thou shalt remember your table manners. Or find some</strong></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; font: 13.0px American Typewriter;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">There's a reason kids are told to chew with their mouths closed. It's in the hope that they will remember it as they grow older and learn to eat like civilised human beings. None of us want to see that mashed up Maccy Ds in your mouth. More importantly, none of us want to hear you as you munch it, followed by a slurp of your drink, followed by more munching and loud exhaling through your nose. We don't want to see crumbs falling all over the seat. If you must eat food while travelling (we've all been there), at least get something that doesn't stink, doesn't make too much noise and that isn't messy.&nbsp;</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; font: 13.0px American Typewriter;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">&nbsp;</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; font: 13.0px American Typewriter;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><strong>4. Thou shalt bend with thy knees</strong></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; font: 13.0px American Typewriter;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">When you're standing on a train and need to pick up your suitcase/briefcase/Maccy Ds wrapper, remember: trains are quite small. People sitting down are at about waist height. If you then bend over, from your waist, to pick up said item, you are quite possibly going to thrust your backside into someone's face a little. This is bad etiquette. It is unnecessary. Simply bend at the knees and away you go, with no awkward encounters and probably no back problems because you really should lift with your knees, not your back. Those wrappers can be heavy.&nbsp;</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; font: 13.0px American Typewriter;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">&nbsp;</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; font: 13.0px American Typewriter;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><strong>5. Thou shalt not infect the Metro</strong></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; font: 13.0px American Typewriter;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">We all hate having coughs and colds and flu because we're British and we still have to go to work and make sure we infect everyone else. But when you're on a train, on your not so merry way to work, and that little tickle comes along - don't sneeze into your Metro. Don't cough into it. That is not a substitute for being polite. Use your elbow or hands to catch your grimy germs, or even better use a tissue. Or even better than that, stay at home. No one wants to touch your germy dribble while reading about the royal wedding.&nbsp;</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; font: 13.0px American Typewriter;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><strong>&nbsp;</strong></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; font: 13.0px American Typewriter;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><strong>6. Thou shalt limit yourself to your assigned amount of space</strong></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; font: 13.0px American Typewriter;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Train seats aren't luxurious, or wide, or particularly comfy, but they are a certain size. They are all the same size. Which means even if you are reading a newspaper next to someone who isn't, that does not give you the right to elbow them in the ribs as you do so. Nor does it give you the right to spread your paper across into their space. And if you do, you cannot then get mad that they begin to read it. In fact, they should probably be allowed to turn the page.&nbsp;</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; font: 13.0px American Typewriter;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">&nbsp;</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; font: 13.0px American Typewriter;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><strong>7. Thou shalt not try to get on the train before everyone is off it</strong></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; font: 13.0px American Typewriter;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Remember Funhouse? Well, in the final part of the game they had to wait for their team mate to come out of the funhouse before they could go in. Like a relay. Apply this logic to trains. Not only do you look like an impatient child when you shove your way past an old lady who is being slow at stepping off the train, but you are actually being stupid. The more people who get off the train, the more space there will be on the train. Let them get off, considering it's their stop after all, and when you step on there will be more seats to choose from. See?&nbsp;</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; font: 13.0px American Typewriter;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">&nbsp;</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; font: 13.0px American Typewriter;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><strong>8. Thou shalt at least pretend to understand how annoying your voice is</strong></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; font: 13.0px American Typewriter;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">It's fine to have a phone conversation on a train. Really it is. But do you have to be so LOUD? We don't actually need to know that your best friend has annoyed you, or that you didn't get a pay rise. We're not going to sympathise as we are busy trying to breathe in this airless carriage while not slapping the guy digging his elbows into our ribs. At least try to talk a little quieter or keep it short - we'll know you tried, and we'll hate you less.&nbsp;</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; font: 13.0px American Typewriter;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">&nbsp;</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; font: 13.0px American Typewriter;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><strong>9. Thou shalt not suffocate those who are seated</strong></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; font: 13.0px American Typewriter;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">It is unfair that you have to stand for part or all of your journey. We get that, we have been there. But We, the Seated, do not deserve to be suffocated by your coat. Or your bag. Or your scarf. Or your dreadlocks (seriously, this happened this morning, I felt quite pukey.) Remember that the aisle, like the seats, is a certain size, and while those people sitting down may look comfy, it doesn't mean they can handle having all the air, even the recycled air, taken away because you need to lean. This is no place for leaning.&nbsp;</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; font: 13.0px American Typewriter;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">&nbsp;</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; font: 13.0px American Typewriter;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><strong>10. Thou shalt offer your seat to those who need it</strong></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; font: 13.0px American Typewriter;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">A slightly more serious one to finish, but one that shouldn't even need to be said. No seats left and a pregnant woman gets on? Get up. No seats and some elderly people get on? Get up. No seats and a disabled person gets on? Get up. Just be nice - it's not hard. No one will think less of you, even in London. You might even get a smile out of someone - and that is something to shout about...</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; font: 13.0px American Typewriter; color: #504945;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">&nbsp;</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; font: 13.0px American Typewriter;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">&nbsp;</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; font: 13.0px American Typewriter;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Amen to that.</span></p> <p /> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p /> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> </p> <p><a href="http://sktransport.posterous.com/the-train-commandments">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://sktransport.posterous.com/the-train-commandments#comment">Leave a comment&nbsp;&nbsp;&raquo;</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/SktransportsPosterous/~4/jVrtu0nAHrc" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/773961/photo2.JPG http://posterous.com/users/4SOc9TyHDERP Lesli Speers sktransport Lesli Speers http://sktransport.posterous.com/the-train-commandments Wed, 26 Jan 2011 00:15:00 -0800 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SktransportsPosterous/~3/JGLop2yczss/lesli-speers-short-listed-for-best-sustainabi http://sktransport.posterous.com/lesli-speers-short-listed-for-best-sustainabi <p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; font: 13.0px American Typewriter;"><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <img alt="Photo_on_2011-01-26_at_08" height="336" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-01-27/cyCnFIxyhejdkmexGqkmBChxBdexCFhsgnGornxvaflABGuvnupzDcsnBDIb/Photo_on_2011-01-26_at_08.53.jpg.scaled980.jpg" width="275" /> </div> </p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; font: 13.0px American Typewriter;"><span style="font-size: small;">We have wide smiles in the office this week.&nbsp; Why, you ask? Well, we've been short-listed for a best sustainability blog award by Be2Camp. &nbsp;</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; font: 13.0px American Typewriter;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; font-size: small;">&nbsp;</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; font: 13.0px American Typewriter;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; font-size: small;">Be2Camp is the community for social media advocacy and helps the <a href="http://aecnetwork.ning.com/"><span style="text-decoration: underline; letter-spacing: 0.0px color;">AEC Network</span></a> think and deploy Web 2.0 tools and techniques.&nbsp; More information on Be2Camp is available <a href="http://be2camp.ning.com/"><span style="text-decoration: underline; letter-spacing: 0.0px color;">here</span></a>.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; font: 13.0px American Typewriter;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; font-size: small;">&nbsp;</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; font: 13.0px American Typewriter;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; font-size: small;">We&rsquo;ve only been blogging since September 2010, so to be recognised like this and to be short-listed with these other great blogs is something of a boon.&nbsp; If you&rsquo;d like to vote for us you can do so <a href="http://www.be2awards.com/the-awards/best-sustainability-blog/"><span style="font: 15.0px American Typewriter; text-decoration: underline; letter-spacing: 0.0px color;"><strong>here</strong></span></a>.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; font: 13.0px American Typewriter;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; font-size: small;">&nbsp;</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; font: 13.0px American Typewriter;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; font-size: small;">The short-list includes the following blogs:</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; font: 13.0px American Typewriter;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; font-size: small;">&nbsp;</span></p> <ul> <li style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; font: 13.0px American Typewriter; color: #0e23a3;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://sktransport.posterous.com"><span style="text-decoration: underline; letter-spacing: 0.0px;">SK Transport Planning</span></a></span></li> <li style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; font: 13.0px American Typewriter; color: #0e23a3;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://fairsnape.wordpress.com/"><span style="text-decoration: underline; letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Fairsnape</span></a></span></li> <li style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; font: 13.0px American Typewriter; color: #0e23a3;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://thisbigcity.net/"><span style="text-decoration: underline; letter-spacing: 0.0px;">This Big City</span></a></span></li> <li style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; font: 13.0px American Typewriter; color: #0e23a3;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://huntwriter.com/"><span style="text-decoration: underline; letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Huntwriter</span></a></span></li> <li style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; font: 13.0px American Typewriter; color: #0e23a3;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.melstarrs.com/elemental/"><span style="text-decoration: underline; letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Elemental</span></a></span></li> <li style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; font: 13.0px American Typewriter; color: #0e23a3;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.globalsustainablebusiness.org/profiles/blog/list"><span style="text-decoration: underline; letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Global Sustainable Business</span></a></span></li> <li style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; font: 13.0px American Typewriter; color: #0e23a3;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://crossway.tumblr.com/"><span style="text-decoration: underline; letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Crossway PassivHaus</span></a></span></li> </ul> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; font: 13.0px American Typewriter;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; font-size: small;">&nbsp;</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; font: 13.0px American Typewriter;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; font-size: small;">The winners will be announced on 9th February 2011. &nbsp;</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; font: 13.0px American Typewriter;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; font-size: small;">&nbsp;</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; font: 13.0px American Typewriter;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; font-size: small;">Thanks for reading, do keep coming back.</span></p> <p /> <p>&nbsp;</p> </p> <p><a href="http://sktransport.posterous.com/lesli-speers-short-listed-for-best-sustainabi">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://sktransport.posterous.com/lesli-speers-short-listed-for-best-sustainabi#comment">Leave a comment&nbsp;&nbsp;&raquo;</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/SktransportsPosterous/~4/JGLop2yczss" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/773961/photo2.JPG http://posterous.com/users/4SOc9TyHDERP Lesli Speers sktransport Lesli Speers http://sktransport.posterous.com/lesli-speers-short-listed-for-best-sustainabi