Sam
@samuel-ll.bsky.social
Fan of public transport, LG devolution, and bikes. Data Analyst.
Old railway tunnels also work really well.
okay and here is my ‘sounds like a shitpost but it’s genuine’ UK heatwave tip: if there is a Saxon or Norman church near you, and it’s open, go sit in it. not gothic, they have too many windows, get you some thick stone walls with some high up tiny windows. they stay cold. and you can just sit there
June 20, 2025 at 5:31 PM
Old railway tunnels also work really well.
It's weirdly jarring to travel from the Netherlands to the UK via the Eurostar. It's like travelling back in time 20 years.
June 15, 2025 at 10:36 AM
It's weirdly jarring to travel from the Netherlands to the UK via the Eurostar. It's like travelling back in time 20 years.
Reposted by Sam
I see a range of pre-announcements for rail investment in England in advance of Rachel Reeves Comprehensive Spending Review (next week?). I thought I'd add to the mix and summarise the schemes and funding needed in Wales....
swalesmetroprof.blog/2025/06/04/t...
swalesmetroprof.blog/2025/06/04/t...
June 4, 2025 at 6:33 PM
I see a range of pre-announcements for rail investment in England in advance of Rachel Reeves Comprehensive Spending Review (next week?). I thought I'd add to the mix and summarise the schemes and funding needed in Wales....
swalesmetroprof.blog/2025/06/04/t...
swalesmetroprof.blog/2025/06/04/t...
This is disappointing from historic England. It's a reasonable development that enhances Shrewsbury urban core. If anything I'd rather it be taller. www.shropshirestar.com/news/2025/04...
Shrewsbury Riverside plans: Historic England 'disappointed' with lack of engagement, warns of 'potential harm'
Historic England has warned the latest plans for Shrewsbury's Riverside regeneration could cause harm to the character of the historic town centre.
www.shropshirestar.com
April 16, 2025 at 9:07 AM
This is disappointing from historic England. It's a reasonable development that enhances Shrewsbury urban core. If anything I'd rather it be taller. www.shropshirestar.com/news/2025/04...
Reposted by Sam
Very helpful tool for reviewing spending by gov as a whole and across sectors - including transport
For eg, this map shows capital investment per head on transport across the UK
Only limitation is in the categories used by gov on this spending (ie it can't identify spend on buses, active travel)
For eg, this map shows capital investment per head on transport across the UK
Only limitation is in the categories used by gov on this spending (ie it can't identify spend on buses, active travel)
April 10, 2025 at 8:15 AM
Very helpful tool for reviewing spending by gov as a whole and across sectors - including transport
For eg, this map shows capital investment per head on transport across the UK
Only limitation is in the categories used by gov on this spending (ie it can't identify spend on buses, active travel)
For eg, this map shows capital investment per head on transport across the UK
Only limitation is in the categories used by gov on this spending (ie it can't identify spend on buses, active travel)
I can't wait to see how much extra infrastructure spending we are definitely going to get now...
Traders are expecting more interest rate cuts from the BoE in response to the tariffs.
Interesting that UK gilts are falling quite steeply at the moment
April 4, 2025 at 11:23 PM
I can't wait to see how much extra infrastructure spending we are definitely going to get now...
Reposted by Sam
New housing in England is rarely built with a new railway station. Why? Whilst the idea of a new station to serve new housing is popular, our research revealed few ever open and those that do arrive seriously late. It doesn't have to be this way, find out more in our latest report: buff.ly/lB4Ox9l
April 2, 2025 at 8:50 AM
New housing in England is rarely built with a new railway station. Why? Whilst the idea of a new station to serve new housing is popular, our research revealed few ever open and those that do arrive seriously late. It doesn't have to be this way, find out more in our latest report: buff.ly/lB4Ox9l
The passport office is so efficient now. My new passport arrived before the text saying they'd sent it.
March 26, 2025 at 10:19 AM
The passport office is so efficient now. My new passport arrived before the text saying they'd sent it.
I listened to Moral Maze last, the topic being about disability benefits; pretty much half of those who spoke claimed young people were just pretending to be mentally ill to get out of working...
March 13, 2025 at 9:21 PM
I listened to Moral Maze last, the topic being about disability benefits; pretty much half of those who spoke claimed young people were just pretending to be mentally ill to get out of working...
It's seems somewhat ironic that a monopoly is appealing to the competition watchdog for more money. www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Three water companies appeal against Ofwat’s ‘unacceptable’ curb on bill rises
Anglian Water, Southern Water and South East Water ask regulator to refer its ruling for 2025 to 2030 to the CMA
www.theguardian.com
February 18, 2025 at 4:20 PM
It's seems somewhat ironic that a monopoly is appealing to the competition watchdog for more money. www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Maybe someone should think why councils aren't spending money on roads, it's definitely not because they don't want to. Instead of suggesting even more Westminster micromanagment. www.cityam.com/government-u...
Government unclear on where taxpayer money to fix potholes has gone
Billions of pounds each year is going to councils but given the money is not ring-fenced, ministers don't know how it is being spent.
www.cityam.com
January 20, 2025 at 10:09 AM
Maybe someone should think why councils aren't spending money on roads, it's definitely not because they don't want to. Instead of suggesting even more Westminster micromanagment. www.cityam.com/government-u...
It increasingly feels like the UK economy is designed to punish young people. www.theguardian.com/business/202...
‘I know someone in a warehouse with a master’s degree’: how to break the cycle of youth unemployment
The number of young people without jobs is poised to tip 1 million, unless proper steps are taken to help them find work and secure their – and Britain’s – future
www.theguardian.com
January 18, 2025 at 9:39 PM
It increasingly feels like the UK economy is designed to punish young people. www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Nice plan, but it seems like a lot of effort planning wise for only 4500 homes? Realistically manchester needs to be completing multiple projects at this scale, every year to match demand. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Manchester: 'Woodland town' will be urban regeneration model, council says - BBC News
Councillors are asked to sign off plans for 4,500 new homes around the Holt Town area of Manchester.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 16, 2025 at 1:30 PM
Nice plan, but it seems like a lot of effort planning wise for only 4500 homes? Realistically manchester needs to be completing multiple projects at this scale, every year to match demand. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Sam
A week today, GM will make the biggest change yet to our buses - completing re-regulation on time and on budget.
This flurry of delivery should set the tone for the rest of 2025.
Read my New Year message 👇🏻
t.co/nmSGGVKi2v
This flurry of delivery should set the tone for the rest of 2025.
Read my New Year message 👇🏻
t.co/nmSGGVKi2v
https://orlo.uk/iQnat
t.co
December 29, 2024 at 10:53 AM
A week today, GM will make the biggest change yet to our buses - completing re-regulation on time and on budget.
This flurry of delivery should set the tone for the rest of 2025.
Read my New Year message 👇🏻
t.co/nmSGGVKi2v
This flurry of delivery should set the tone for the rest of 2025.
Read my New Year message 👇🏻
t.co/nmSGGVKi2v
Essential listening if your interesting in housing and the tax system. ifs.org.uk/articles/how...
How is tax damaging the housing market? | Institute for Fiscal Studies
We discuss how taxes like capital gains, stamp duty, and council tax impact the housing market, affecting affordability, renting, and homeownership.
ifs.org.uk
December 19, 2024 at 9:43 AM
Essential listening if your interesting in housing and the tax system. ifs.org.uk/articles/how...
Reposted by Sam
High cost of public transport is impacting on its success at doing the things it is supposed to do. People are taking fewer trips or (in some boroughs) going by car. The daily caps are set so high that the best way to save money is to not travel.
www.londoncentric.media/p/london-tra...
www.londoncentric.media/p/london-tra...
Ageing, static and skint: Nine charts that explain what's going on with London transport
How the ability to travel around the city shapes the capital, its residents, and the lives we lead.
www.londoncentric.media
December 17, 2024 at 12:28 PM
High cost of public transport is impacting on its success at doing the things it is supposed to do. People are taking fewer trips or (in some boroughs) going by car. The daily caps are set so high that the best way to save money is to not travel.
www.londoncentric.media/p/london-tra...
www.londoncentric.media/p/london-tra...
Wider pavements can't come fast enough.
December 14, 2024 at 4:14 PM
Wider pavements can't come fast enough.
Very interesting paper but here's why I don't necessarily agree with the arguments.
In short, public transport is a lifestyle choice, and most people can't just switch their current journeys to public transport, regardless of the cost.
In short, public transport is a lifestyle choice, and most people can't just switch their current journeys to public transport, regardless of the cost.
Fare-free transit is not an environmental policy. The reason is simple: It doesn't reduce driving.
"We find no evidence that low-cost or free-of-charge public transportation financing schemes have improved air quality."
doi.org/10.1016/j.ec...
"We find no evidence that low-cost or free-of-charge public transportation financing schemes have improved air quality."
doi.org/10.1016/j.ec...
December 13, 2024 at 10:37 AM
Very interesting paper but here's why I don't necessarily agree with the arguments.
In short, public transport is a lifestyle choice, and most people can't just switch their current journeys to public transport, regardless of the cost.
In short, public transport is a lifestyle choice, and most people can't just switch their current journeys to public transport, regardless of the cost.
It's crazy to me that Holyhead port has been seriously damaged, and closed completely now for nearly a week and it's received zero news coverage in the UK. Photo borrowed from twitter.
December 11, 2024 at 8:24 PM
It's crazy to me that Holyhead port has been seriously damaged, and closed completely now for nearly a week and it's received zero news coverage in the UK. Photo borrowed from twitter.
My new favourite hobby is asking Trainline support simple questions just to see how wrong/useless the reply is.
"Please do not collect the ticket you just cancelled"
"How do I get the return part I didn't cancel?"
"Please collect the ticket and post us half of it"
"Please do not collect the ticket you just cancelled"
"How do I get the return part I didn't cancel?"
"Please collect the ticket and post us half of it"
December 8, 2024 at 7:41 PM
My new favourite hobby is asking Trainline support simple questions just to see how wrong/useless the reply is.
"Please do not collect the ticket you just cancelled"
"How do I get the return part I didn't cancel?"
"Please collect the ticket and post us half of it"
"Please do not collect the ticket you just cancelled"
"How do I get the return part I didn't cancel?"
"Please collect the ticket and post us half of it"
Insane council planning decision of the week. Are they worried some one might accidentally rent without realising it doesn't have parking? www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Temporary plan to rent out Newcastle-under-Lyme flats refused - BBC News
Deakin's Yard, formerly the Sky Building, is now set to sit empty until September 2025.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 6, 2024 at 11:56 PM
Insane council planning decision of the week. Are they worried some one might accidentally rent without realising it doesn't have parking? www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
The question should have never been, is this road a good investment? The question is, is this road the best investment possible in Shropshire? The answer is clearly no.
www.shropshirestar.com/news/2024/12...
www.shropshirestar.com/news/2024/12...
'What do you know that they don't?' - Senior councillor hits back at relief road critics 'holding Shrewsbury back'
A councillor has issued an impassioned defence of Shrewsbury's North West Relief Road (NWRR) - saying he is baffled at Labour and Liberal opposition to the scheme.
www.shropshirestar.com
December 5, 2024 at 3:10 PM
The question should have never been, is this road a good investment? The question is, is this road the best investment possible in Shropshire? The answer is clearly no.
www.shropshirestar.com/news/2024/12...
www.shropshirestar.com/news/2024/12...
Interesting to see the online arguments about subsidising public transport play out in real life. www.bbc.com/news/article...
Stockport Council says no more bus cash until it has tram link
Stockport Council leader says he will refuse to hike bus funding as the wait for a tram link goes on.
www.bbc.com
November 30, 2024 at 3:18 PM
Interesting to see the online arguments about subsidising public transport play out in real life. www.bbc.com/news/article...
Honestly exaggerating her CV is the most relatable thing Rachel Reeves' done.
November 16, 2024 at 9:29 PM
Honestly exaggerating her CV is the most relatable thing Rachel Reeves' done.