Andrew Sissons
Part 3 of: What would make life better?
Cars make people miserable. They’re noisy, they pollute the air, they hurt people in accidents. They seem to make the people who drive them miserable — there is some evidence that a long commute by car worsens your mental health and overall wellbeing, certainly compared to walking and cycling. They change the ways our towns and cities are laid out. They take up so much space. And the more cars there are, the more they get stuck in each other’s traffic. For the people that drive them and the people that they pass by, cars make life worse. But we’re stuck with them, and most people seem quite happy with that.
I didn’t think going car-free would be possible for me: but it has changed my life | Funmi Shonibare | The Guardian
I’ve always been a driver at heart. I passed my test when I was 19, and I’ve been behind the wheel for most journeys since. After becoming a parent eight years ago, I became even more dependent on my car, thinking that it meant security for me and my child, almost like driving was my duty. I couldn’t imagine a world where I didn’t get around on four wheels, but that all changed when I tried going car-free.
Study suggests existence of up to 2.1m ancient and veteran trees in England | Trees and forests | The Guardian
Study suggests existence of up to 2.1m ancient and veteran trees in England
Researchers find there could be many more ancient trees than previously recorded, amid calls for better protections
There could be more than 2m ancient and veteran trees in England, many times more than previously recorded, researchers have found.
Campaigners are calling on the government to give ancient trees the same protections as wildlife and old buildings.
A study by the University of Nottingham has found there could be 1.7m to 2.1m ancient and veteran trees in England, of which only 115,000 are on record. Most of these are unlikely to be protected by any conservation methods, policy or legislation, so it is impossible to know how many are at risk.
For active travel professionals, now is the time to shout – Transport Xtra
Now that we have a seat at the active travel table, we need to use it and that means more lobbying, more money, more data and case studies, more ambition, more training and more upskilling, says David Alderson is Director and Active Travel Lead, SYSTRA
In England, we have the formation of Active Travel England, Gear Change and LTN 1/20 bedding in. We have a revised Manual for Streets and CWIS 2 incoming later this year, a large number of Emergency Active Travel and Streetspace (via TfL) schemes on the ground, an expanding number of School Streets and LTNs implemented, extensive new and high-quality cycle infrastructure becoming a common sight; and with most councils either having completed, or in the process of developing LCWIPs, with some already on version 2.
Why aren’t more people cycling and walking when fuel prices are at record highs? road.cc Podcast
Psychologist Dr Ian Walker explains how human nature makes it hard to get people to break routines
Simon Macmichael Jun 30, 2022
The cost-of-living crisis has been one of the big stories in the mainstream media in recent weeks, and much of the focus has been on the rocketing price of fuel and how that is hitting motorists in the pocket. To many of you reading this, one solution to reduce those motoring costs will be obvious – ditch the car for shorter or unnecessary journeys, and switch to cycling, walking or public transport instead.
But as Dr Walker, environmental psychology professor at the University of Surrey – not to mention record-breaking ultracyclist explains – trying to get motorists to choose active travel choices, or encouraging healthier diets to tackle rising levels of obesity isn’t as simple as launching a PR campaign with a catchy slogan because, fundamentally, humans are creatures of habit.
Welsh roads review imminent but publication deferred – Transport Xtra
Rhodri Clark 29 June 2022
The ground-breaking Welsh roads review is almost complete but the results will not be revealed to the public until the Welsh Government has examined the findings on each of the 55 schemes under consideration.
The government established an independent Roads Review Panel, chaired by consultant Dr Lynn Sloman, last year. The panel’s task is to consider which current road schemes, if any, are compatible with the government’s updated policies, particularly on climate change, and to…
The “Tire Extinguishers” Arrived in the U.S., They’re After Gas Guzzler SUVs – autoevolution
by Florin Amariei
Do you drive an SUV? Then you might become a target for the environmental activists that are after your tires. The movement had just begun in the U.S. after having a successful start in the UK. Here’s what they do and, more importantly, why.
It took a little more than a month for this movement to spread to the U.S. At the beginning of May, we were telling you that a social media stunt turned people into activists. Their goal was simple – deflate SUV tires everywhere it’s possible. After letting the air out, they would add a pamphlet explaining the situation. The owner would have to deal with the deflated tires in the morning.
UK government to scrap European law protecting special habitats | Environment | The Guardian
Sandra Laville
Environment secretary George Eustice wants to amend Habitats Directive, which protects Natura 2000 sites
Eustice told MPs the Habitats Directive was in a list of laws he wanted to amend in the forthcoming Brexit freedoms bill designed to cut red tape, saying it was bureaucratic and fundamentally flawed on multiple levels.
The directive has provided protections for UK habitats since 1992. It supports a network of areas – known as Natura 2000 sites – where special habitats are protected. There are more than 320 Natura 2000 sites in England, nearly 900 in the UK and more than 25,000 throughout Europe.
What can we learn from the German planning system? – Architects’ Journal
Frederic Akuffo
My practice Autor Architecture operates in both the UK and Germany. Over the past 14 years we have specialised exclusively in residential living in high-density urban environments, with projects in planning both in London and Berlin. This provides insights into both systems.
We are currently pursuing an appeal with a UK scheme that was recommended for approval by the planning department, shortlisted for a housing award for preserving existing local heritage and vigorously defended by the head of planning at committee.
Despite all this, newly elected councillors refused the scheme based on their own personal or political judgments. As a result, the local planning department must now defend the decision of their committee members and recommend their once-supported scheme for dismissal at the planning inquiry.
Steer active travel in Wales back on course, report urges – Cycle Industry News
Mark SuttonMonday, 27 June 2022
A Senedd Cross Party Group is to launch a major new report highlighting how Wales is missing out on the opportunities to be gained from getting more people walking and cycling.
Wales led the world when it passed the Active Travel Act in 2013 but, the report says, it has failed to follow through on that achievement. Consequently, rather than seeing the massive increase the Act promised, walking and cycling rates have been static.
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