Steve
@steveessex.bsky.social
Art, photography, trains, bikes, travel, beer, whisky, guerilla tree planter, occasionally works as a transport consultant.
There is a priority / safety trade off. The central island is probably far too big for a 'cycle free flow' style of roundabout But that doesn't prevent it having parallel crossings over the arms
December 19, 2025 at 5:15 PM
There is a priority / safety trade off. The central island is probably far too big for a 'cycle free flow' style of roundabout But that doesn't prevent it having parallel crossings over the arms
A metaphor for our times.
December 19, 2025 at 9:01 AM
A metaphor for our times.
On site this morning in St Helens and told a resident I was looking into accessibility issues. "The real accessibility thing" she said "is people parking on the pavements, they should really do something about it". Only a short lecture followed...
December 16, 2025 at 6:10 PM
On site this morning in St Helens and told a resident I was looking into accessibility issues. "The real accessibility thing" she said "is people parking on the pavements, they should really do something about it". Only a short lecture followed...
Bring back opening windows.
December 12, 2025 at 11:39 AM
Bring back opening windows.
O like the way Ranty gets to the nub of the issue in one direction and Steve gets to the nub in the other.
December 12, 2025 at 9:05 AM
O like the way Ranty gets to the nub of the issue in one direction and Steve gets to the nub in the other.
And a somewhat better livery than the GB Railways one
December 12, 2025 at 8:33 AM
And a somewhat better livery than the GB Railways one
If it's to be one organisation then that sort of ticket restriction should cease to exist
December 9, 2025 at 6:45 PM
If it's to be one organisation then that sort of ticket restriction should cease to exist
Flippantly, they'll go into Wales and Scotland. The job of a livery therefore is to identify the type of train (Inter-city, regional, local, integrated city region, Welsh or Scottish) to help passengers identify their train more quickly
December 9, 2025 at 1:55 PM
Flippantly, they'll go into Wales and Scotland. The job of a livery therefore is to identify the type of train (Inter-city, regional, local, integrated city region, Welsh or Scottish) to help passengers identify their train more quickly
There are certainly suburban routes that could be connected up and there are gaps in the metrolink system that could be filled by underground trains. I think we should probably be thinking Liverpool and Manchester as one network rather than two separate cities.
December 8, 2025 at 5:59 PM
There are certainly suburban routes that could be connected up and there are gaps in the metrolink system that could be filled by underground trains. I think we should probably be thinking Liverpool and Manchester as one network rather than two separate cities.
It's a good target, and will inform my response to the consultation.
December 7, 2025 at 7:59 PM
It's a good target, and will inform my response to the consultation.
Not spotted that one
December 5, 2025 at 10:32 PM
Not spotted that one
There is evidence from Greater Manchester that making multiple small tweaks to signal timings in favour of pedestrians doesn't get noticed by motorists. So slowly inconveniencing motorists may work as long as you don't tell what you are doing.
December 5, 2025 at 3:00 PM
There is evidence from Greater Manchester that making multiple small tweaks to signal timings in favour of pedestrians doesn't get noticed by motorists. So slowly inconveniencing motorists may work as long as you don't tell what you are doing.
It would be tempting to think that as it didn't get built last time, it won't this time either. Probable reason last time was that the A6 ceased to be a trunk road and so its main promoter lost interest. But times have changed & the Gvt have approved schemes with crap BCRs like the A66 so be wary.
December 4, 2025 at 4:59 PM
It would be tempting to think that as it didn't get built last time, it won't this time either. Probable reason last time was that the A6 ceased to be a trunk road and so its main promoter lost interest. But times have changed & the Gvt have approved schemes with crap BCRs like the A66 so be wary.
It's called Strategic Litigation and it's an attempt to subvert democracy. Basically schoolgirl playground bullying with lots more money.
December 2, 2025 at 7:17 PM
It's called Strategic Litigation and it's an attempt to subvert democracy. Basically schoolgirl playground bullying with lots more money.
No, horses aren't sustainable transport. The land requirements for their food rule that out. Outside certain upland areas (farmers only) they are a pastime for wealthy people. But, 1. Equestrians are a bolshie bunch, and 2. We need to be able to accommodate them on some active travel infrastructure.
December 2, 2025 at 7:14 PM
No, horses aren't sustainable transport. The land requirements for their food rule that out. Outside certain upland areas (farmers only) they are a pastime for wealthy people. But, 1. Equestrians are a bolshie bunch, and 2. We need to be able to accommodate them on some active travel infrastructure.
If they think that's a pasty no wonder they get their jam and cream upside down.
December 2, 2025 at 5:20 PM
If they think that's a pasty no wonder they get their jam and cream upside down.
There are several non-intuitive slippery slopes here. 1. Big off road cars are safer if they hit a smaller car BUT if you are more likely to die in one if you have one. 2. If you make rural driving cheaper by making fuel cheaper then in TOTAL the cost of rural transport goes up. Strange but true.
December 2, 2025 at 12:14 PM
There are several non-intuitive slippery slopes here. 1. Big off road cars are safer if they hit a smaller car BUT if you are more likely to die in one if you have one. 2. If you make rural driving cheaper by making fuel cheaper then in TOTAL the cost of rural transport goes up. Strange but true.
York has a road called Grove Lane. Earlier this was called Grope Lane and before that Grab C**t Lane. The oldies were the goodies and it is a shame many have disappeared.
November 30, 2025 at 5:41 PM
York has a road called Grove Lane. Earlier this was called Grope Lane and before that Grab C**t Lane. The oldies were the goodies and it is a shame many have disappeared.
There two basic reasons why a town might have a 'name of town' street or road. 1. That it goes there (usually street first & road further out) or, 2. It's just a name. So Denmark St in Manchester does not go to Denmark, although Oxford Road does go to Oxford (ignoring that lesser town of Birmingham)
November 30, 2025 at 5:26 PM
There two basic reasons why a town might have a 'name of town' street or road. 1. That it goes there (usually street first & road further out) or, 2. It's just a name. So Denmark St in Manchester does not go to Denmark, although Oxford Road does go to Oxford (ignoring that lesser town of Birmingham)
That's because all roads lead to Manchester.
November 30, 2025 at 2:31 PM
That's because all roads lead to Manchester.
It's an interesting theory.
November 29, 2025 at 11:38 AM
It's an interesting theory.