malumbu

Sadly we need young people from developing countries with higher birth rates to do the work that Brits wont do, including many jobs in health and social care. How you square this with minimum wages to get work visas I don't know. A different subject for another thread. Shortage of skilled workers is another topic. We could return to the fact that young people from Europe no longer come to the UK for a limited time, to do both skilled and unskilled jobs, but that would bring us back to Brexit and the crazy decision we made as a nation. Some nice analysis by Sky News, tend not to use them as a rule but was surprised by the quality of this piece: https://news.sky.com/story/how-many-illegal-migrants-are-in-britain-the-key-numbers-driving-the-immigration-debate-13428405

@exdulwicher urban myth the five second rule. I expect you knew Sue does the "if you remember the 60s then you weren't around in the 60s" rule continue to the early 70s? there are whole periods of time I can't remember much about telly as I would be going out many evenings, and if not recovering from a hangover. Not proud but that is a different time and another thread.

So this is two or three drivers who are new to the area driving down every morning in the few minutes you are there? Are there that many people doing a one-off drive in the area? Where are they going?? If it is delivery drivers then they should know better. From what March says, it sounds like they are permitted. And if not, why are you fighting their battle for them??

The public information campaign was 50 years ago, with the clip being regularly shown on the Beeb. There was an earlier one about walking in the dark and wearing light clothing, carrying a rolled up newspaper and the like.

Well I hope that you are not a driver. Only a fool brakes the two second rule One I can show: Also glow rides, this is about female walkers and cyclists' safety

Cycled home last night from Denmark Hill, most cyclists had lights, the one that I noticed that didn't was a delivery rider with an illegal e-bike. Fairly common. No shortage of electricity. The elephant in the room. Rather than just go on about it I wrote to Ellie asking government to make them all PAYE with bike and lights provided, and training. She got back to me about improved workers' rights. Nothing will change because of people venting on a community forum. I had a go of influencing government. Back to the subject, as I have said before, the starting point is to understand why riders are making poor decisions about illumination. There will be many reasons (mine are leaving too late, forgetting the clocks change, out of charge/batter, I carried cheap flashers in the past, but would find I'd left the battery on, or that they failed quite quickly). Others can do the research. Once you understand why, then you can look to ways to change behaviour. Only a fool breaks the two second rule. Whoops, that public information campaign has been air brushed out of history. Learn to swim young man, learn to swim.

I wrote to Ellie during Labour conference due to their continued focus on the boats telling her that most of my friends and family believe there are more important things to focus on than the small boats. That does not mean it should not be addressed, but sadly this has become a toxic issue stirred up by Reform, the right wing media/rabid social media, to a lesser extent Bedenock and Philp, and sadly Labour itself. Mahmood's statement today that illegal migration is "tearing the country apart" makes me shudder. All credit to Plaid Cymru for their stance in the Caerphilly Welsh Parliament by-election. PM and Home Secretary you are encouraging this. Just repeat after me "as a country we are better than this". Well perhaps some will think that I live in a liberal bubble and I am not in touch with the 'common people". I'd like to think we are all better than this. And that includes the other culture wars that Reform will continue to stoke up including Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and gender politics.

Local councils in England have significant powers to take action against unfit housing [and my own words rather than AI - have a duty to take action], primarily under the Housing Act 2004 and the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018. These powers are used by environmental health or private sector housing teams and typically follow an assessment using the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) Here's more details from central government: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/homes-fitness-for-human-habitation-act-2018/guide-for-local-authorities-homes-fitness-for-human-habitation-act-2018 If Southwark are not responding, next port of call is your local councilor - having been at MP's surgeries a few times much of their constituency time will be taken up with issues like yours. The oven thing is just bizarre - reminds me of what landlords would do when I was a student. Shelter also provide guidance. You should serve notice on your landlord, but I'd go to Southwark at the same time https://www.southwark.gov.uk/housing/private-tenants-and-landlords/private-tenants/your-rights-and-responsibilities/unsafe-and Others may be able to advise on whether your house has to be licensed. If you change the title to "advice on unfit rented property" you may get more offering advice. Finally contact the Waterloo legal advice centre for free advice: https://www.lawworks.org.uk/legal-advice/individuals/waterloo-legal-advice-service Lawyers give up their time (pro bono) to help those in particular need. Good luck and keep this thread updated.

Is that aggressive or passive aggressive? If you can't afford to pay fines for breaking rules then perhaps you shouldn't drive. Most of us take it on the chin and try to learn from the experience.

This is the right sort of response from the BBC (Friday night comedy). Well done. Please listen before commenting. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0mfx7h4

The term accident is a cover all for things being damaged following some sort of incident, From OED: an unfortunate incident that happens unexpectedly and unintentionally, typically resulting in damage or injury. "he had an accident at the factory" and an event that happens by chance or that is without apparent or deliberate cause It's overused and more often than not there is a better term eg 'collision' rather than 'accident'. Worse still is describing something as 'accidental' which is often used as an excuse. Unintentional is far more appropriate. I didn't know. But that is no excuse. If you are not observing your surroundings including street signs then it is clearly your fault. And you should not be making excuses for you and others. If you find it difficult to look out for signage then perhaps you should not be driving. You can argue that the size of fines is disproportionate, that 'decent and careful' drivers are victimised when the real perpetrators get away with it, that there should be more discretion (as I have in the past). But please do not say enforcement is only there to make money.

I assume this is a joke/tongue in cheek. Otherwise was a strange statement. Accident? What are they driving with their eyes shut? Checking their WhatsApps? Scrolling through Tinder?? Maybe they were distracted by aliens. No such thing as an accident.

Agree on priorities but not sure what you mean by novelty of car free days, they've been around a long time, in fact some street markets on the high street such as Deptford still exist. My point made may times is that the UK has been too carcentric for the last 70 years making our roads /pavements more pedestrian friendly is a good thing, Going off on a tangent parking - legally and illegally - on the pavement gets my goat. Particularly prelevant over the border in Lewisham, and the cars driving on the pavement on Honor Oak today to get round the closed road (Thames Water just again) was shocking.

As Ex says this quickly becomes weaponsised, and there have been numerous anti cycling/cyclist threads over recent years. @Blah Blah my approach is very different, reducing risk by positioning myself appropriately on the road, loads of communication including eye contact with other road users, and knowing what is around me. Making myself visible is of course part of this. Our roads are pretty well lit, so others should see cyclists - not an excuse for having no lights but I expect that most of us have cycled occasionally when we have forgotten our lights, left a little later than expected, batteries have bone etc and we cycle accordingly ie with a greater sense of the traffic. Someone said that cars have blind spots. What is that nonsense? That is why there are mirrors but that does not excuse you of looking over your shoulder when turning and you will fail your test otherwise. Interestingly my most recent close pass was from a 197 bus. Hopefully TfL/London buses will respond appropriately. I've had very few incidents with buses over the years. And a driving instructor today, who I gleefully told they would fail their test driving like that.

Well apolitical if that is an OK word for you. Sorry if my choice of words was incorrect. But on my original point if it wasn't for the Telegraph dragging this up, and yes they do have an agenda, an no they are not apolitical/impartial whatever, we;d be none the wiser. But as it made no difference to Trump's election campaign that why would he have a case in the American courts? Irrespective of the rights and wrongs of the programme

One more cyclist one less driver. Big picture.

The above was a factual comment. He has dismissed every initiative and proposal for reducing vehicles, improving road safety and on my speculative suggestion, the shopping experience. And what on earth is the laughing emoji for? I'm not telling a joke. What do you think, in principle (forget the bus routes and parking) of having Lordship Lane full of pedestrians on the odd occasion? You know, like when they do this for street parties.

Good heavens, what a closed mind you have. Car free days have been popular across the world for forty years or more. Just an idea, not developed beyond that. Yes I expect Barry Road. That's where buses go when LL is closed I believe. Do you not recall the fuss when they closed the North side of Trafalger Square. Now almost everyone loves it. Oxford Street next.

There has been some good discussion on this threat then you spoil it with a toxic and unhelpful post. There are plenty of people that I am not fond of on the box but I don't post on line. By all means start your own thread on said person, or a better home would be X where others will no doubt go off on one too.

I'd do a trial closing LL one Saturday a month to traffic. It's not beyond our imagination to do this, and find an appropriate route round this for buses and essential vehicles.

Thanks for all these updates. I'll avoid driving through these roads in school start/end times in future. That wont be difficult as I never have.

Less cars on the street Mass mobility Many like them otherwise they wouldn't be used. But then again I am not a cynic.

The BBC is one of the finest, if not the finest, broadcasters in the world. They have been admired by many across the world for their journalism. There have been numerous arrests since their recent expose on convenience shops that cover ups for criminals - money laundering, contraband, illegal workers and the like. By no means perfect and some of what they have done in the modern world is questionable - the website often comes across as tabloid or sensationalist, as do some of their documentaries, and at times it is full of low grade game shows, fly on the wall etc which bring the punters and money, including overseas, in but is not quality TV. In their desperation for 'balance' they've given too much air time and credibility to some more extreme views, which contributed to Brexit and some of the rise in right wing parties. I wish they'd say 'the convicted criminal' every time they talk about Yaxley Lenon. The programme was clumsy, why it didn't go through proper clearance including the lawyers, I don't know. But it created zero stir at the time. Zero. And had no impact on the election, so Trump has no case. I hope they don't cave in like many of the US corporations and media. Oh and well done to South Park using the small p*nis defence in ridiculing him. What I expect is as the Beeb is pretty centrist in it;s reporting in riles some of those who thrive on the toxic populism we have seen since Trump mark 1 and Brexit. How sad.

Friends and family in the 'States always say how wonderful it is to be in Britain and see our news coverage. It's all partisan out there. The BBC manages to simultaneously p off the left and the right so must be doing something right.

Hadn't realised that the Panorama programme that people are up in arms about was over a year ago. There wasn't much fuss at the time so why drag it up. Unless you hate Britain, hate liberals, hate the BBC, want a divided country, support the most powerful person in the world despite his many failings. The programme was clumsy, but the vast majority of us know that Trump had an influence. So the Telegraph has played into his hands.