PokerTime

I think it's fantastic. I love every bit of it.

That's true, but that's because cycles are very good at what they do, and have little or no impact on the environment. A perfect design if you like. Train technology of the future won't run on tracks at all (the laying of which is the most expensive part of bulding a railway). There are already hoop systems being designed for example. And we have to find ways to cut oil and fossil fuel consumption. Hydrogen will always be a cleaner fuel than oil (and we can create that from bacteria and waste). A railway that runs on small amounts of efficient energy will always be better than the diesel and electric systems we have now. I think any future capital projects have to look to those things in their design.

I thinks it's always easier to stick with what you have than start afresh, I guess. There are all kinds of magnetic/ hydrogen technologies around that we should be using now - the reasons we aren't are often political and in the interests of established corporations. Interesting view of HS2 here though.... http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/gravy-train-loaded-money-ndash-isn-t-stopping/story-20821933-detail/story.html

Yes exactly! I sometimes wonder what goes through the minds of people that plan these things. Obviously some contractor stands to make a fortune out of the project.

And just to add that the other problem with HS2 is that it is already outdated technology. The future of high speed trains is Maglev - trains that run on magnets. They already exist - reaching speeds of 300mpr in the far east and China. They sit above ground and can't derail and are way more energy efficient.

I agreed ????, on everything you write. I also agree that HS2 won't serve enough people to justifiy the expense and disruption. There are already good links between Birmingham, Manchester and London and knowing how things go in this country, it's likely to go widely over budget. And the only people who will be able to afford to use it will be those with high paying jobs in London. Manchester has reinvented itself as the media capital of the North, so regeneration can happen.

After reading this (yes I know it's the Daily Fail).... I'm on the piracy bandwagon! http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2582146/Caught-CCTV-Pilots-doomed-Malaysian-Airlines-flight-walk-security-final-time-off.html

Hmmm. I'm not convinced. The planet is covered with radar and air defence monitoring systems. I just don't see how it could disappear all the way to the mainland and land without detection somewhere.

I agree. I can't see what the big deal is here. It makes perfect sense to put parent/toddler parking in the safest part of the car park. So what if I have to park a bit further away. We are only talking metres, not miles. I don't know what was going through the mind of the OP, but I can't see any reason for anyone to park where they shouldn't. And if you have to wait for a space, then so be it.

Interesting PDF on the current demographics of Peckham. http://www.southwark.gov.uk/download/750/peckham What I think cle is that people basically want the same things in life in general. But we are all products of our culture, environment etc. The world has evolved because of the exchange of culture and ideas - there's plenty of historical evidence for that. So I think a discussion about what hairdressers do with hair is just that. It has nothing to do with ethnicity, culture etc. It's simply a pattern of human behaviour, copied, because there are no firms rules in place or enforced, or so it would seem. And I think in most cases it would just require the LA having a word. So is the issue really one of how does anyone get an official to have a word? But it then gets clouded by undertones of us and them. And that sadly opens the door to a questioning of motive, in the way an opinion is expressed. I can only speak for myself, but I will always challenge an assumption presented as fact, when there is clear evidence to the contrary. I think most people would do that. I also find those with the biggest assumptions are often the most poorly informed, the most entrenched, and the most insular in their views of anything. That's fine if you live on an island, but most of us don't. So we have to learn to get along, and find better ways of communicating with those we perceive to be different to ourselves. Diverse communities are here to stay. It's better we find ways to make them work, than wish for something already long gone.

Those are interesting points. I agree Penguin, that planning can lead to blight, and an element of that happened over the Tram scheme. Redevelopment of the building cornering Rye lane and Bournemouth Road was held up for years. It's completed now with some new shop space and I think looks tasteful (they kept part of the original facade of the building). And I think your point LadyD about hidden political agendas in underdevelopment also has many examples in the history books. Not sure that the current Labour council can be accused of that though. Wider London authorities though, certainly can.

That's interesting Loz. That also sounds like a lost pilot to me. And there have been many cases of pilot error, over sea, at night, that have led to crashes. Is is possible that after whatever happened, the pilot suffered from spacial disorientation? With no ability to make radio coms? Was he injured? Could he not seek help from the flight attendants? Or was someone else trying to fly the plane after the loss of the pilots? So many questions......

On the haitdresser thing. I would suggest raising it at a community council meeting (I think Rye Lane comes under Lane ward) where a minuted motion can be presented to councillors. I agree it should be possible to make businesses aware of their responsibility to make sure hair is not swept onto the street.

Agreed LadyD. The point missing from my post was that private enterprise pursues profit as the end goal. Local people don't matter in that equation. The proposed plans by network Rail for redevelopment of the land around and behind the station are a perfect example of that. The challenge coming from local groups is to protect exisitng businesses over a fast profit in property sought by TFLs planners. So consultation works to find a balance. Neither side will get exactly what they want, but both sides should get something out of it. And that seems perfectly sensible to me.

Give examples particular to Rye Lane Louisa. From a previous post had no idea what some of the groups you were dismissing do and I gave three good examples of how Rye Lane has been saved from major development (that would have destroyed it). You so far have given none, and didn't actually reply to my exposure of your lack of knowledge about Peckham Vision for example. Please do reveal how the local council were involved of cancellation of Ken Livingstone's non funded tram development. I can give you lot's of information on how the Lib Dem council at the time tried to give over a huge area, surrounded by residential property, and what would have meant the loss of 400 existing jobs, to TFL for a 24hr maintenance and marshalling yard. I can also tell you how exposure of the planning process by local people, and consultation was crucial in forcing a rethink, and correcting the misinformation of the report supplied regarding jobs and suitability. And that those same groups argued for plans to be ammended (putting the yard in a more suitable location), not cancelled. It's because of consultation written into planning law that councils can be challenged before signing away land and businness and anything else. I agree anonymous, that bureaucrasy can slow the process, but that isn't a reason for bypassing consultation. Plans will always come and go because funding isn't ever in place before they come. It's easy to have ideas, not so easy to find the money to make them happen. And Peckham has had active local groups for a long time so ideas are plentiful. But local councils, no more than planners, are not the reason that department stores have left Rye Lane. Basic economics are the reason. A shift away from smaller high streets to larger central malls and shopping centres. This is a change that can be seen all over the country over the last 20 years. Things change that local councils have little power to stop.

Air disasters have always fascinated me (wierd I know) and I've lost count of all the air crash investigation docs I watched. One thing I would say is that it often takes months if not a year to piece together what happens. And when a plane crashes in an ocean everything is much harder. On the other hand, in the immediate aftermath, answers are sought and expected right away. If the cockpit suddenly depressurised, it's possible that the pilots, in gasping for air and trying to grab masks, accidentally knocked switches, including the air comms. On autopilot, the plane would suddenly change course, but again, when a human is suffocating, they don't sit still. But if the plane continued to fly, did anyone on board realise it was pilotless? I don't think there's any straightforward theory as yet.

I've seen people go though recycling bins. A better question would be to ask why people go through bins looking for items they presumably can make use of or sell on. Not everyone is in a position to throw things away as soon as they break down (or are replaced). Also there are sometimes mental health issues in play.

To dismiss consultation in that way is nonsense. Consultation is an important part of the planning process, and gives local communities an important voice in the area they live in/ use. Because of consultation, many things that would have been detrimental to the area didn't happen. If you read an earlier post from me regarding Peckham Vision, you'll see exactly what could have become of Rye Lane without consultation and a right of reply by local residents.

I think that's a really good point about car seats. Gone are the days where children can just climb in and babies can be kept on a lap. Putting seatbelts on children and putting babies into car seats all require room to do so. And the spaces elsewhere are barely wide enough to get a vehicle in. I've often have to 'squeeze' out of my vehicle. I can absolutely understand why wider parking spaces exist for those with small children. We can debate where they should be located, but fundamentally they exist for good reason.

Louisa, you have a written tone, that comes across as being adamant and intollerant. You've just done it in that post too, by suggesting that anyone who disagrees with you is living in 'cloud cuckoo land'. Can you not see why that winds people up? Just agree to disagree. It's possible to do that without belittling anyone who disagrees with you. You are not the only one of course. A lot of discussions seem to descend into bad tempered nonsense, it's something that happens across all forums. There's nothing wrong with having strong opinions, but a bit of diplomacy goes a long way in determining how people respond to those opinions. nd learning to let others have the last word sometimes also helps.

Hmm and a rant about a wheelie bin and parking isn't tosh? Why does anyone have to be so rude about people who have a different view on something? Especially those who seem to be most vocal about manners (and there are a few that seem to prevail). Reading that stuff just turns people off from reading and posting.

George Osbourne was talking about this on the Andrew Marr show this morning. On the same day the Telegraph published that the cost of buying a house in London could buy you 25 in Scotland. Claire Short made an interesting point in saying that she believes that the North/South divide in property prices could be the thing that in the end rebalances the economy long term, as people move out of London and the South East to buy homes. So as welcome as the new city is, I still think the government have things the wrong way round. They should be seeking ways to economically regenerate the north, to ease pressure on the south east.

Ah KalamityKel, I remember up to the age of 11, every Saturday morning, walking the mile and half each way with my Mother to the weekly market, and then walking back carrying a bag of spuds or something. There's no doubting the rise of the big supermarket has followed the rise of the car, and that the rise of the car has made us lazy. On the other hand, life is far busier too. On parking. In Rye Lane on any Saturday, Morrison's car park is full. And you have to wait for spaces. I have never seen Sainsburrys car park full. There is always space at the back of the car park on busy days and even if it were full, I can't see why the OP couldn't wait for a space to become free.

Thank you for the link JB. I had no idea that Sainsburrys used suppliers from Isreali settlements.

Why do they need a watch notice? Surely they can get the womans address and visit her at home, or the registered keeper if she is unlicensed and/or uninsured?