Author name: Steven Edwards

News from Elsewhere

The “Tire Extinguishers” Arrived in the U.S., They’re After Gas Guzzler SUVs – autoevolution

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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.

News from Elsewhere

UK government to scrap European law protecting special habitats | Environment | The Guardian

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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.

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What can we learn from the German planning system? – Architects’ Journal

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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.

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Steer active travel in Wales back on course, report urges – Cycle Industry News

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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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TfL and boroughs get powers to fine drivers who infringe on cycle lanes – Transport Xtra

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Deniz Huseyin24 June 2022

Drivers who infringe on cycle lanes on TfL roads and in some London boroughs will be issued with an £160 fine

 Drivers that infringe on cycle lanes and cycle tracks in the capital can now be fined by Transport for London and councils in the same way that moving traffic contraventions are enforced. New powers introduced by the Government mean that TfL and London boroughs can issue fines to those that drive within, or cross, cycle lane white lines. 
Motor vehicles are already prohibited from driving within or crossing cycle lanes that are marked by a solid white line and cycle tracks, but until now…

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Fossil fuel industry faces surge in climate lawsuits | Environment | The Guardian

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Number of climate-related lawsuits globally has doubled since 2015, with quarter filed in past two years

Isabella Kaminski
The world’s most polluting companies are increasingly being targeted by lawsuits challenging their inaction on climate change and attempts to spread misinformation, according to a new report.
Research by the London School of Economics Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment found a surge in legal cases against the fossil fuel industry over the past year – especially outside the US – and growing action in other corporate sectors.

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Cycling made e-asy to launch in Sheffield – Transport Xtra

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Cycling UK is powering up to make cycling e-asy in Sheffield with an exciting new scheme, Cycling made e-asy

Funded by the Department for Transport, this unique scheme will launch in Sheffield on Thursday July 21. Community members will be given the opportunity to try an e-cycle by joining engaging try-and-ride sessions or by loaning one for up to three months. 

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More flowers, fewer cars: the rewilders turning parking spaces into parks | Urban wildlife | The Guardian

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As more towns and cities bring in measures to curb traffic and the number of cars on the streets, the idea of converting parking spaces into “parklets” is gaining traction. These tiny green parks are part of a trend in urban rewilding by individuals that is boosting biodiversity across the world.
‘The council came at 5am and took our garden away’

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Unsafe roads deter women from using e-scooters, research find – transportxtra

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The lack of safe, segregated infrastructure is discouraging women from hiring e-scooters, according to new research. 

Some 79% of female respondents said that not feeling safe due to infrastructure was a barrier to riding.
It found that, similar to cycling, only 30% of e-scooter riders in the UK are women. 
In general women also want to gain a better understanding of the law around e-scooters, and need access to safe, well-lit parking spots, said the study by urban mobility firm Voi, JFG Communications and Women in Transport.

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Drivers who kill could receive life sentences under law reform – BBC News

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Drivers who kill could receive life sentences as part of changes coming into force this week.

Judges will be able to hand down life sentences to dangerous drivers who kill and careless drivers who kill while under the influence of drink or drugs.
The current penalty for each crime is a maximum prison sentence of 14 years.
“Those responsible will now face the possibility of life behind bars,” Justice Secretary Dominic Raab said.
The changes come into force as part of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act.
The new legislation will also create an offence of causing serious injury by careless driving, meaning those who inflict long-term or permanent injuries also face tougher sentences.

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