Starling3232
@starling3232.bsky.social
Residential chimneys , transit , urbanism
tender density , gentle density , strong density
aka
low , medium , high
tender density , gentle density , strong density
aka
low , medium , high
Reposted by Starling3232
I haven't made a video in a year, but Oh The Urbanity has, and today they released an amazing piece on trams as a little Christmas Gift to the world!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLzk...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLzk...
Why I’m Less Excited About Trams Than You
YouTube video by Oh The Urbanity!
www.youtube.com
December 26, 2025 at 1:41 AM
I haven't made a video in a year, but Oh The Urbanity has, and today they released an amazing piece on trams as a little Christmas Gift to the world!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLzk...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLzk...
Reposted by Starling3232
I see there’s a post about microplastics going around with a photo of drinking straws, so here is my semi-regular reminder that the 3 biggest sources of microplastics are tires (45%), synthetic clothing particles (35%) and paint (~10%).
Lay article attached:
Lay article attached:
One of the biggest microplastic pollution sources isn’t straws or grocery bags – it’s your tires
Every few years, the tires on your car wear thin and need to be replaced. But where does that lost tire material go? The answer, unfortunately, is often waterways, where the tiny microplastic particle...
www.pbs.org
December 24, 2025 at 4:49 AM
I see there’s a post about microplastics going around with a photo of drinking straws, so here is my semi-regular reminder that the 3 biggest sources of microplastics are tires (45%), synthetic clothing particles (35%) and paint (~10%).
Lay article attached:
Lay article attached:
Reposted by Starling3232
Yes. In addition to long-term street redesigns, we need to enforce traffic laws.
We currently have a culture that doesn’t consider road rules (like speed limits) to be legitimate or real.
Some jurisdictions — Ontario, Alberta — have banned/restricted automated speed enforcement. That’s bonkers.
We currently have a culture that doesn’t consider road rules (like speed limits) to be legitimate or real.
Some jurisdictions — Ontario, Alberta — have banned/restricted automated speed enforcement. That’s bonkers.
Is enforcement the answer to a deadly year on Calgary roads?
YouTube video by CBC News Alberta
www.youtube.com
December 23, 2025 at 11:32 PM
Yes. In addition to long-term street redesigns, we need to enforce traffic laws.
We currently have a culture that doesn’t consider road rules (like speed limits) to be legitimate or real.
Some jurisdictions — Ontario, Alberta — have banned/restricted automated speed enforcement. That’s bonkers.
We currently have a culture that doesn’t consider road rules (like speed limits) to be legitimate or real.
Some jurisdictions — Ontario, Alberta — have banned/restricted automated speed enforcement. That’s bonkers.
www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/light-r...
A depressing read in so many ways
Belfast would be much different today if we had heavy rail or trams running along the old County Down railway
We’re now 23 years on and we still require a mass transit solution for east Belfast,Newtownards and beyond
A depressing read in so many ways
Belfast would be much different today if we had heavy rail or trams running along the old County Down railway
We’re now 23 years on and we still require a mass transit solution for east Belfast,Newtownards and beyond
Light rail scheme 'best for Belfast'
BELFAST would be an ideal location for a modern tramway project, one of the driving forces behind the £400m LUAS scheme in Dublin said today.
www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk
December 21, 2025 at 9:00 PM
www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/light-r...
A depressing read in so many ways
Belfast would be much different today if we had heavy rail or trams running along the old County Down railway
We’re now 23 years on and we still require a mass transit solution for east Belfast,Newtownards and beyond
A depressing read in so many ways
Belfast would be much different today if we had heavy rail or trams running along the old County Down railway
We’re now 23 years on and we still require a mass transit solution for east Belfast,Newtownards and beyond
Reposted by Starling3232
Don't hold your breath.
Labour absolutely stinks when it comes to walking and cycling.
The only transport mode they seem to care about is driving.
Labour absolutely stinks when it comes to walking and cycling.
The only transport mode they seem to care about is driving.
Cycling and walking could help deliver almost everything Brits say they want to achieve in 2026 — if we design streets to support them.
Getting fitter, losing weight, being healthier, saving money; enabling active travel quietly does all of it. With no gym contracts.
Getting fitter, losing weight, being healthier, saving money; enabling active travel quietly does all of it. With no gym contracts.
December 18, 2025 at 9:21 AM
Don't hold your breath.
Labour absolutely stinks when it comes to walking and cycling.
The only transport mode they seem to care about is driving.
Labour absolutely stinks when it comes to walking and cycling.
The only transport mode they seem to care about is driving.
Reposted by Starling3232
If your cost-benefit model tells you it isn't worth investing in a tram or light rail system for an urban area with a population of well over 1m, like Leeds-Bradford, your model is wrong and should be thrown in the bin.
December 18, 2025 at 9:34 AM
If your cost-benefit model tells you it isn't worth investing in a tram or light rail system for an urban area with a population of well over 1m, like Leeds-Bradford, your model is wrong and should be thrown in the bin.
Reposted by Starling3232
Cause they know over the next generations there will be a true "mass migration" of humans trying to escape the effects of climate collapse and capitalist resource wars and want to normalise dishing out utter brutality against those people now instead of actually fixing anything.
Why is the UK leading the charge to curb asylum rights under the ECHR? https://aje.io/sjev5z
December 11, 2025 at 10:06 AM
Cause they know over the next generations there will be a true "mass migration" of humans trying to escape the effects of climate collapse and capitalist resource wars and want to normalise dishing out utter brutality against those people now instead of actually fixing anything.
Reposted by Starling3232
Beautiful, wild old oaks.
But as usual in Ireland, unless something changes they're destined to die off. Just look at the ground layer: nothing but molinia grass.
Instead of paying farmers to look after these precious habitats, the state pays them to graze sheep, ensuring nothing else survives.
But as usual in Ireland, unless something changes they're destined to die off. Just look at the ground layer: nothing but molinia grass.
Instead of paying farmers to look after these precious habitats, the state pays them to graze sheep, ensuring nothing else survives.
Watching the rain dripping off the branches of the small stand of oak trees near Ben Lettery reminded me of @irishrainforest.bsky.social description of his own forest in Kerry. The foothills of the Twelve Bens were once oak forests. I did collect some acorns, so these trees will live on.
December 10, 2025 at 8:31 AM
Beautiful, wild old oaks.
But as usual in Ireland, unless something changes they're destined to die off. Just look at the ground layer: nothing but molinia grass.
Instead of paying farmers to look after these precious habitats, the state pays them to graze sheep, ensuring nothing else survives.
But as usual in Ireland, unless something changes they're destined to die off. Just look at the ground layer: nothing but molinia grass.
Instead of paying farmers to look after these precious habitats, the state pays them to graze sheep, ensuring nothing else survives.
Reposted by Starling3232
Leave the C2W limit-free (although a lot of schemes have limits anyway. Mine is £3k).
Insist that cycles bought under C2W have to have mudguards and lights so are practical for year round use. that stops the leisure arguments straightaway.
Insist that cycles bought under C2W have to have mudguards and lights so are practical for year round use. that stops the leisure arguments straightaway.
Compare and contrast the Government language.
£3,750 EV grant on a £35k car: ‘helping families’.
Cycle to Work: ‘subsidising leisure’.
And yet cycling delivers TEN TIMES the impact of electric cars for reaching net zero. It’s almost like narrative, not data, is driving policy.
£3,750 EV grant on a £35k car: ‘helping families’.
Cycle to Work: ‘subsidising leisure’.
And yet cycling delivers TEN TIMES the impact of electric cars for reaching net zero. It’s almost like narrative, not data, is driving policy.
November 21, 2025 at 10:12 AM
Leave the C2W limit-free (although a lot of schemes have limits anyway. Mine is £3k).
Insist that cycles bought under C2W have to have mudguards and lights so are practical for year round use. that stops the leisure arguments straightaway.
Insist that cycles bought under C2W have to have mudguards and lights so are practical for year round use. that stops the leisure arguments straightaway.
Reposted by Starling3232
“Cycle to Work should be about helping ordinary commuters switch to greener travel, not giving tax breaks to high earners buying £4,000 e-bikes for weekend rides in the Surrey Hills”.
To the contrary, £4k can get a young family out of a car and onto a cargo bike in a cycle lane.
To the contrary, £4k can get a young family out of a car and onto a cargo bike in a cycle lane.
November 13, 2025 at 8:08 AM
“Cycle to Work should be about helping ordinary commuters switch to greener travel, not giving tax breaks to high earners buying £4,000 e-bikes for weekend rides in the Surrey Hills”.
To the contrary, £4k can get a young family out of a car and onto a cargo bike in a cycle lane.
To the contrary, £4k can get a young family out of a car and onto a cargo bike in a cycle lane.
Reposted by Starling3232
Make cycles applicable for C2W be fitted with cargo carrying ability (racks or an actual cargo bike), mudguards and lights.
that makes them ideal for commuting/utility cycling.
Decathlon do a bike that meets those criteria for £329.
www.decathlon.co.uk/p/low-frame-...
that makes them ideal for commuting/utility cycling.
Decathlon do a bike that meets those criteria for £329.
www.decathlon.co.uk/p/low-frame-...
November 13, 2025 at 8:23 AM
Make cycles applicable for C2W be fitted with cargo carrying ability (racks or an actual cargo bike), mudguards and lights.
that makes them ideal for commuting/utility cycling.
Decathlon do a bike that meets those criteria for £329.
www.decathlon.co.uk/p/low-frame-...
that makes them ideal for commuting/utility cycling.
Decathlon do a bike that meets those criteria for £329.
www.decathlon.co.uk/p/low-frame-...
Reposted by Starling3232
Remember how the so-called gender critical/TERF extremists were claiming they cared about cis [non-trans] women & girls? To absolutely no one’s surprise these same ‘human rights advocates’ are anti-refugee & anti-Muslim extremists. When the LGBTQ community warns you they are far right, listen!
November 11, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Remember how the so-called gender critical/TERF extremists were claiming they cared about cis [non-trans] women & girls? To absolutely no one’s surprise these same ‘human rights advocates’ are anti-refugee & anti-Muslim extremists. When the LGBTQ community warns you they are far right, listen!
Reposted by Starling3232
The fools! They'd be so much happier now if they had just talked endlessly about battery trains and hydrogen.
Meanwhile, '3rd world' India has almost electrified all of its vast network in record time. infra.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/railway...
Over 99% electrification of Indian Railways network complete
Indian Railways Electrification: The Indian Railways has completed over 99% electrification of its broad-gauge network, with a significant push towards renewable energy, including rooftop solar panels...
infra.economictimes.indiatimes.com
November 10, 2025 at 7:30 PM
The fools! They'd be so much happier now if they had just talked endlessly about battery trains and hydrogen.
Reposted by Starling3232
Tories scrapped half of HS2, which without the other half would actually make many train times worse.
People said “why don’t you focus on electrification of existing lines then” so now Labour, eager to proven they’re different from Tories, have scrapped all of that too.
People said “why don’t you focus on electrification of existing lines then” so now Labour, eager to proven they’re different from Tories, have scrapped all of that too.
Govt scraps all electrification investment. Midland Main Line to stay forever diesel Leicester Nottingham Derby Sheffield. Hugely embarrassing and inexplicable
www.ft.com/content/5ecd...
www.ft.com/content/5ecd...
UK transport secretary says full electrification of railways ‘not affordable right now’
Heidi Alexander says focus will be on other projects such as HS2
www.ft.com
November 9, 2025 at 7:43 PM
Tories scrapped half of HS2, which without the other half would actually make many train times worse.
People said “why don’t you focus on electrification of existing lines then” so now Labour, eager to proven they’re different from Tories, have scrapped all of that too.
People said “why don’t you focus on electrification of existing lines then” so now Labour, eager to proven they’re different from Tories, have scrapped all of that too.
Reposted by Starling3232
This isn't just poverty of aspiration, it is incompetence. www.ft.com/content/5ecd...
UK transport secretary says full electrification of railways ‘not affordable right now’
Heidi Alexander says focus will be on other projects such as HS2
www.ft.com
November 8, 2025 at 7:57 AM
This isn't just poverty of aspiration, it is incompetence. www.ft.com/content/5ecd...
Reposted by Starling3232
I agree with a pay per mile driving charge for EVs.
But a key fact that many are missing is that fuel duty has been frozen since 2010 and petrol is cheaper now than 2 decades ago.
It's about time conventional car drivers actually started paying a fair share too.
www.theguardian.com/business/nil...
But a key fact that many are missing is that fuel duty has been frozen since 2010 and petrol is cheaper now than 2 decades ago.
It's about time conventional car drivers actually started paying a fair share too.
www.theguardian.com/business/nil...
Ignore the howls around pay-per-mile, chancellor. We can’t afford not to tax electric cars
The issue of how motoring taxes should change as we decarbonise the economy has been dodged for too long. Car salesmen need to get real
www.theguardian.com
November 7, 2025 at 7:06 AM
I agree with a pay per mile driving charge for EVs.
But a key fact that many are missing is that fuel duty has been frozen since 2010 and petrol is cheaper now than 2 decades ago.
It's about time conventional car drivers actually started paying a fair share too.
www.theguardian.com/business/nil...
But a key fact that many are missing is that fuel duty has been frozen since 2010 and petrol is cheaper now than 2 decades ago.
It's about time conventional car drivers actually started paying a fair share too.
www.theguardian.com/business/nil...
Reposted by Starling3232
A 34-year-old as a politician: My god he's like a baby. It's like they just elected an infant to be their mayor.
A 34-year-old as an athlete: You have to admire the bravery of him attempting that dunk, knowing full well the grim reaper is right behind him.
A 34-year-old as an athlete: You have to admire the bravery of him attempting that dunk, knowing full well the grim reaper is right behind him.
November 5, 2025 at 5:45 AM
A 34-year-old as a politician: My god he's like a baby. It's like they just elected an infant to be their mayor.
A 34-year-old as an athlete: You have to admire the bravery of him attempting that dunk, knowing full well the grim reaper is right behind him.
A 34-year-old as an athlete: You have to admire the bravery of him attempting that dunk, knowing full well the grim reaper is right behind him.
Reposted by Starling3232
Greens - Lower bills through nationalising our public services, wealth tax on assets and huge increase in investment in our public services.
Labour - ID Cards, random statements about flags and Austerity 2.0.
But apparently the Green Party are the "vibes era?"
Make it make sense!
Labour - ID Cards, random statements about flags and Austerity 2.0.
But apparently the Green Party are the "vibes era?"
Make it make sense!
Politics is in a vibes era. Nigel Farage and Zack Polanski are proof of that. But maybe Keir Starmer can take positivity from Ruben Amorim.
What Keir Starmer can learn from Ruben Amorim
www.bigissue.com
November 3, 2025 at 8:08 AM
Greens - Lower bills through nationalising our public services, wealth tax on assets and huge increase in investment in our public services.
Labour - ID Cards, random statements about flags and Austerity 2.0.
But apparently the Green Party are the "vibes era?"
Make it make sense!
Labour - ID Cards, random statements about flags and Austerity 2.0.
But apparently the Green Party are the "vibes era?"
Make it make sense!
Reposted by Starling3232
Anyone calling for it cannot possibly rely on trains for their mobility.
anyone calling for "airport style security" at railway stations is invited to go to Peterborough railway station and point out where you would put such a thing that can handle that many passengers?
November 3, 2025 at 7:23 AM
Anyone calling for it cannot possibly rely on trains for their mobility.
Reposted by Starling3232
Sir John Curtice - Indepedent pollster - confirms what we all already know.
The Labour Government need to stop doing everything Farage wants them to do.
The much bigger challenge to Keir Starmer is the Green Party.
Lower bills. Tax billionaires.
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/1...
The Labour Government need to stop doing everything Farage wants them to do.
The much bigger challenge to Keir Starmer is the Green Party.
Lower bills. Tax billionaires.
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/1...
Charismatic leader emerges on the left to roil Britain’s political scene
Zack Polanski of the Greens has drawn comparisons to New York’s Zohran Mamdani as he connects with younger voters on social media over the political issues of the day.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 2, 2025 at 11:21 AM
Sir John Curtice - Indepedent pollster - confirms what we all already know.
The Labour Government need to stop doing everything Farage wants them to do.
The much bigger challenge to Keir Starmer is the Green Party.
Lower bills. Tax billionaires.
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/1...
The Labour Government need to stop doing everything Farage wants them to do.
The much bigger challenge to Keir Starmer is the Green Party.
Lower bills. Tax billionaires.
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/1...
Reposted by Starling3232
Used to be a fan of Róisín Murphy’s music, but then again her audience was mainly gay men my age; we made her. So you can imagine how horrible it is to see her turn on us. As she is Irish I want to apologise to British LGBTQ ppl & say that her views are extremely isolated in Ireland. Keep strong.
October 23, 2025 at 7:31 PM
Used to be a fan of Róisín Murphy’s music, but then again her audience was mainly gay men my age; we made her. So you can imagine how horrible it is to see her turn on us. As she is Irish I want to apologise to British LGBTQ ppl & say that her views are extremely isolated in Ireland. Keep strong.
Reposted by Starling3232
That phrase just sums up everything I feel - folks haven't abandoned Labour.
Labour walked out on the country, the electorate - those who needed them so much after the relentless Tory destruction of the last 14 years.
#JoinTheGreenParty
Labour walked out on the country, the electorate - those who needed them so much after the relentless Tory destruction of the last 14 years.
#JoinTheGreenParty
Great to hold a press conference in Swindon this morning to welcome the new Green Party councillor group.
Swindon now has 3 Green Party councillors. They didn't leave Labour - Labour left them!
www.youtube.com/live/UvrRzp6...
Swindon now has 3 Green Party councillors. They didn't leave Labour - Labour left them!
www.youtube.com/live/UvrRzp6...
Green Party leader Zack Polanski holds news conference
YouTube video by Sky News
www.youtube.com
October 22, 2025 at 11:01 AM
That phrase just sums up everything I feel - folks haven't abandoned Labour.
Labour walked out on the country, the electorate - those who needed them so much after the relentless Tory destruction of the last 14 years.
#JoinTheGreenParty
Labour walked out on the country, the electorate - those who needed them so much after the relentless Tory destruction of the last 14 years.
#JoinTheGreenParty
Reposted by Starling3232
I'm heart broken Ireland's national broadcaster stuck to same old 7 questions tonight on #áras25 presidential debate & avoided the climate question several of us begged them to ask. We learned nothing new of candidates' positions on major global/national challenges. RTE has failed the public.
October 21, 2025 at 10:31 PM
I'm heart broken Ireland's national broadcaster stuck to same old 7 questions tonight on #áras25 presidential debate & avoided the climate question several of us begged them to ask. We learned nothing new of candidates' positions on major global/national challenges. RTE has failed the public.
Reposted by Starling3232
Cardiff will be the first UK city to introduce a surcharge for oversized SUVs and trucks, "while very large vehicles – those over 3,500kg – will be excluded from residential permits entirely."
Cardiff set to tackle SUV 'carspreading' in UK first
Cardiff Council is set to become the first local authority in the UK to introduce higher parking charges for SUVs and other heavy vehicles, in a move campaigners say will make city streets safer and f...
nation.cymru
October 16, 2025 at 6:43 AM
Cardiff will be the first UK city to introduce a surcharge for oversized SUVs and trucks, "while very large vehicles – those over 3,500kg – will be excluded from residential permits entirely."
Reposted by Starling3232
When I said we weren't here to be disappointed in Labour but to replace them. I meant it.
Join.greenparty.org.uk
Join.greenparty.org.uk
October 16, 2025 at 12:58 PM
When I said we weren't here to be disappointed in Labour but to replace them. I meant it.
Join.greenparty.org.uk
Join.greenparty.org.uk