Shivaji Shiva

"Annex" is a very good word for this.

This issue - businesses and other property owners annexing public space for parking - is a problem across Birmingham. The effect is that footways become narrower, hostile and sometimes impassable.

Some well-placed bollards, benches or trees could transform these spots.

What are the worst spots?

We cycled 2,000 miles from Cornwall to Portugal – with surfboards in tow Martin and Lizzy set off on an epic ride to the south-west tip of Europe in search of freedom, adventure and the best surf on the continent

"Riding ebikes made the trip possible. The psychological effect of knowing I had a little in the tank if things got difficult worked wonders, even if we rode in the mode that delivered the least power most of the time."

www.theguardian.com/travel/2025/...

Autumn has come to beautiful Bournville…

"Jesus, why are we still burning fossil fuels?"

Shropshire’s Ironbridge Gorge Museums saved for the nation Government announces £9 million grant, enabling National Trust to secure future of museums within UNESCO World Heritage Site that attract 330,000 visitors annually

This sounds like a welcome piece of good news for the West Midlands. We have enjoyed some wonderful holidays in and around Ironbridge with family and friends.

@ironbridgegmt.bsky.social

www.gov.uk/government/n...

The @lrb.co.uk has arrived. My evening is taking shape. Love the autumnal cover.

Agreed! (And good luck ...)

In case you needed another reminder that bikes are bad-ass.

What drivers see no matter what you wear:

view from under a tree looking out across a field to rolling hills in the distance. in May on a sunny day.

Welcome new listeners!

We're a podcast of sounds from quiet places.
No ads. No music. No talking.

Explore 280+ episodes from places across the UK and beyond. Find us on

Podbean - radiolento.podbean.com
Apple Pod bit.ly/LentoAp
GoodPods bit.ly/LentoGoodP
YouTube - youtube.com/@RadioLento

Photo of a woman wearing a scarf riding a bicycle.

Angela Lansbury as Murder, She Wrote's Jessica Fletcher, a mystery writer who got to the bottom of every crime she came across - and whose favorite mode of transport was the bicycle.

#BicycleBirthday Angela Lansbury
October 16 (1925-2022)

Brilliant news! Larger cars are heavier, causing more road runoff + air pollution. Their high fronts increase risk of severe injury if they hit a pedestrian, + make it really difficult to see if small children have stepped in front of the vehicle. Strong move from @cardiffcouncil.bsky.social 💪

It is good to see a politician speaking directly about immigration and the diversity it brings as positive things.

#NoSuchThingAsFreeParking ...

Cartoon of a single-detached housing subdivision with a road jammed with cars

Hey, remember when car and oil companies successfully lobbied governments to create car dependent cities and suburbs, and once we became almost completely car dependent, WE became the loudest, angriest champions of unhindered road space for cars, unnaturally cheap gas, and subsidized free parking?

Utterly heartbreaking.

How can we be so comfortably numb to the death of ancient, megadiverse ecosystems, full of life and colour?

A few words from Tim in West England Bylines

@westenglandbylines.co.uk

bsky.app/profile/west...

Making a mockery of the law: judicial treatment of non-volent direct action Judicial refusal to allow people to say why they are protesting is both illegal and immoral

A few words from Tim in West England Bylines

@westenglandbylines.co.uk

bsky.app/profile/west...

The Billable Hour logo. For more, see: https://www.billablehour.org/

A query for the legal #HiveMind ...

Awards season is upon us - @Chambers and Partners will be announcing its new rankings tomorrow and there will be a deluge of 'humble' acknowledgments.

Will Billable Hour be marking the season?

@billablehour.bsky.social @seanjones.org

The situation could be greatly improved with a well designed area wide plan including Places for People / LTNs, but with capacity constraints at @bhamcitycouncil.bsky.social and both local councillors stepping down for the next election, few locals are optimistic.

I agree that we *shouldn't* need more restrictions.

Unfortunately, there's no sign of action from @bhamcitycouncil.bsky.social, Mondelez or West Midlands Police as local stakeholders. The result is that:

- despite a posted 20mph limit, 30mph+ is routine, as is

- anti social and illegal parking.

The Merseyside report said: "The proposed parking restrictions are intended to prevent obstructions, dangerous and inconsiderate parking, increase visibility, and protect vulnerable road users."

The same issues apply on Bournville Lane.

Over to you @bhamcitycouncil.bsky.social

Bournville Lane, alongside the ‘Men’s Recreation Ground’ …

*would*

Parking ban planned for busy road by football pitches Wirral Council is considering restrictions on part of Arrowe Book Road in Upton to improve safety.

It woukd be great to see a similarly decisive approach acroas Birmingham - eg on Bournville Lane.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

YouTube video by NEVER TOO SMALL Paris Architect’s Own Micro Apartment - 31sqm/344sqft

Beautiful.

"It prevents the excessive use of cars and keeps the city centre active and lively."

youtu.be/xfXMoGmb74w?...

Driving a car. You're basically on a livingroom couch staring forward like an idiot doing nothing.

These plans for the improvement of St Giles in Oxford to deliver 'improved space for pedestrians, cyclists and improved arrangements for buses and tourist coaches' are exciting.

Could they really create 'the historic gateway that Oxford deserves'?

@cycloxoxford.bsky.social

Row breaks out over £1.5m cycle lane that would be safe alternative to Oxford Street Tory councillors want Westminster council to pause cycleway through Marylebone until impact of mayor’s traffic ban becomes clear

It's a joy to see Westminster's determination to build new, safe cycleways in the West End, despite some minority opposition 🥳

C43 is a much needed route. Most residents supported it at consultation 😍

Kudos to Cllrs @adamhug.bsky.social @maxsullivan.bsky.social!

www.standard.co.uk/news/transpo...