Plus: Will someone rid London of these troublesome trees, London Standard to merge with the Independent, Lime bikes could have legally-mandated minimum safety and maintenance standards.
Just a little correction to this one... I referred to a forthcoming Tideway site on the river near Canary Wharf because I'd been chatting with Clare about the site being popular with Canary Wharf joggers — but really you'd be stretching the definition and it's a mile upriver at King Edward Memorial Park in Shadwell.
The undercroft bit is over to TfL/City of London for what they want to do with it. So there's a democratic accountability bit there. I'll be honest, when I was down there I really wanted a coffee and a snack!
The reality of monetising these spaces is often that it’ll just scratch the surface of recouping the cost of initial outlay and upkeep, rather than being some grand moneymaking scheme. You’d be surprised how much public toilets cost!
Journalist solidarity ... what if the newspaper is reactionary, biased and misreports facts: in what way might its disappearance be a loss? Would this country be worse if the Daily Telegraph ceased to pump its right-wing views (as evident in its news columns as opinion)? The Standard may be a pale shadow of what it was, but what role has it played over the years in support of the right? You may be too young to remember its role in London government in the 1980s when its reporters gleefully joined in the hue and cry against the GLC and Livingstone. Some might say good riddance - and they include me, who worked for the London Daily News!
You could argue the role of a journalist is to ensure everyone can share their opinions. If you shut The Telegraph, wouldn't you also shut The Guardian and Socialist Worker?
I called through again yesterday and the skateboarders are sadly making a real mess of surfaces and corners. Now that the weather has brightened it's getting popular, particularly at lunchtime. The skaters are nonetheless planking off the walls and screeching between visitors. So for the otherwise beautiful space that it is, on the basis that it's designed as skateboard-repellent, I'd say, it's a big fail. Someone's gonna get hurt so watch this .. space.
Was there this afternoon in the sunshine - it was so great to have the space opened up. There isn't anywhere on the river like it. Skaters out in force filming tricks - one landed a trick that they'd obviously spent hours trying to get without success and the explosion of joy amongst the group was brilliant to see. They were politely waiting for pedestrians to go past. between attempts too. I'd be sad if they weren't allowed their share of the space.
Did for half a second wonder if it was a reference to a subsided grave, as apparently happened once to a body found to have left West Norwood Cemetery for the River Thames via the Effra
Interesting about the slashed Lime tires. I had two bikes in one day last week with flats when I got to them and wondered if something was up. These were both in Hackney, N16.
Just a little correction to this one... I referred to a forthcoming Tideway site on the river near Canary Wharf because I'd been chatting with Clare about the site being popular with Canary Wharf joggers — but really you'd be stretching the definition and it's a mile upriver at King Edward Memorial Park in Shadwell.
Rachel Reeves discuss snail farms at Davos https://youtu.be/0My7QJxc4ZU
“Bazalgette Embankment, which could soon be filled with cafes and shops… is not ‘classic’ public space but private land controlled by Thames Water”
Of course they will build retail space and try to monetise it.
So a private company has been given a chunk of the Thames for free, from which their shareholders can profit (if the company doesn’t go bust first).
I hope at least they'll include some toilets. It’s the ideal location after all….!
Yup - toilets included!
The undercroft bit is over to TfL/City of London for what they want to do with it. So there's a democratic accountability bit there. I'll be honest, when I was down there I really wanted a coffee and a snack!
The reality of monetising these spaces is often that it’ll just scratch the surface of recouping the cost of initial outlay and upkeep, rather than being some grand moneymaking scheme. You’d be surprised how much public toilets cost!
What an excellent exploration of the new open space.
Might people come to refer to it as "the Baz"?
The Hackney Council / dumped Christmas tree standoff is hilarious — they’ll collect them *eventually*, just be for real and reinstate collections.
Journalist solidarity ... what if the newspaper is reactionary, biased and misreports facts: in what way might its disappearance be a loss? Would this country be worse if the Daily Telegraph ceased to pump its right-wing views (as evident in its news columns as opinion)? The Standard may be a pale shadow of what it was, but what role has it played over the years in support of the right? You may be too young to remember its role in London government in the 1980s when its reporters gleefully joined in the hue and cry against the GLC and Livingstone. Some might say good riddance - and they include me, who worked for the London Daily News!
You could argue the role of a journalist is to ensure everyone can share their opinions. If you shut The Telegraph, wouldn't you also shut The Guardian and Socialist Worker?
The ES has been ridiculously woke in recent years, which is no better
Great interview on the Bazalgette embankment.
Had to doublecheck this wasn't a guest post from IanVisits...😀
Normal investigative service will be resumed imminently. But sometimes it's just nice to have a... nice thing?
My exact thoughts when reading this!
All very nice but what about safe space to cycle. That road is horrible to use and there’s no alternative. 🤷♀️
Thanks.
The old cycle route is going to be reinstated down from the north end of Blackfriars Bridge down to the embankment route.
Thanks but will it be properly protected for cycling along with tons of metal driven at speed. A hedge would be nice. Or will it just be paint.
I called through again yesterday and the skateboarders are sadly making a real mess of surfaces and corners. Now that the weather has brightened it's getting popular, particularly at lunchtime. The skaters are nonetheless planking off the walls and screeching between visitors. So for the otherwise beautiful space that it is, on the basis that it's designed as skateboard-repellent, I'd say, it's a big fail. Someone's gonna get hurt so watch this .. space.
Was there this afternoon in the sunshine - it was so great to have the space opened up. There isn't anywhere on the river like it. Skaters out in force filming tricks - one landed a trick that they'd obviously spent hours trying to get without success and the explosion of joy amongst the group was brilliant to see. They were politely waiting for pedestrians to go past. between attempts too. I'd be sad if they weren't allowed their share of the space.
Yipee! More POPS!
I'm definitely gonna check this Bazalgette thingy out, but you mention flushing out 'sleepers' from the sewer. Wtf!?
Not a euphemism.
Did for half a second wonder if it was a reference to a subsided grave, as apparently happened once to a body found to have left West Norwood Cemetery for the River Thames via the Effra
So, homeless people kip down in the sewer?
Wow I am quite inspired by the new embankment park... kudos Clare Donnelly and others!!
Interesting about the slashed Lime tires. I had two bikes in one day last week with flats when I got to them and wondered if something was up. These were both in Hackney, N16.
I was down at Blackfriars last week. The skateboarders love it.
Marvellous! I mean, how many sewerage projects provide a water feature for children to play in?