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EDI is so woke, isn’t it?
EDI is so woke isn’t it? I mean it is only relevant to…..oh, well, hang on…..everyone! We are now online for the event below on 1 February. It’s free to attend (assuming you have the time and means) and open to all – even to politicians who are concerned that EDI may be getting too Read more
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First they came for…
It is quite chilling to read of such developments below – a “First they came for…” sensation. I find myself once again oscillating between chasing deadlines amidst a pile of day-job work and opening my eyes wide in shock at what is happening around us. “They shouted up: ‘If you don’t come down and open Read more
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Going solar decisions
We’re planning to get solar panels and a battery installed – do we take the Mr Spock or the Homer Simpson approach? Having catapulted ourselves into EV ownership at the start of 2024, we’re now sizing up options for installing solar panels and a battery. Wow, you really do start to enter super-geek territory once Read more
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Worried about an EDI-obsessed civil service?
Are you a civil servant wasting too much time on EDI, abusing your position as a ‘servant’ and comprimising productivity? Of course as a servant you will not be allowed to answer that here. I hasten to add that no productivity was harmed in the writing of this post: I am doing it on a Read more
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Go-to tonic for a mad, mad world 🤘
How has your start to the New Year been? Pretty intense this end I have to say. Car written off two weeks ago. Now in the EV owners club. Lots going on in terms of work – as ever, great people to work with but bewildered by some of the madness around us. This is Read more
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What can we do as Transport Professionals to Help Save the World?! (Or at least try…..)
My wonderful Mott MacDonald colleagues Leora Wilson and Anna Tyler decided to aim high with the first exam question of the year in their co-hosted technical webinar today in Motts. The panel with the privilege of sitting the exam was made up of Kim Yates, Damian Price, Stephen Luke and myself. Here is some of Read more
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The trigger event that has led us to EV ownership
Bang! Out of nowhere the other car hit our car. That was 2.15pm last Sunday. Our old petrol car written off. Insurance payout has already come through. Today we paid the deposit on an electric car. This time next week we should have the car at home and the EV charger installed. Some years ago, Ben Read more
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How to stop fascism
Are you ready for some insights into #fascism? I didn’t imagine as a younger man I’d be reading books like this. But the world is not the airbrushed one I once knew. As Derek Halden recently said to me – & it struck a chord – reading & writing is our way of coping. This book Read more
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Is Sky News being impartial or introducing false balance in this interview?
Is Sky News being impartial or introducing false balance in this interview? Why not take 10 minutes to watch the interview in full and weigh up what you make of it. In terms of the interviewees, Zoe Cohen is a prominent climate activist who makes it her business to draw upon understanding of reported science. Read more
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Transitioning to Net Zero
I’ve just taken part in the first 2024 webinar from the Association of European Transport’s Transport and Mobility Forum. Hosted by Conall Mac Aongusa, Chaired by Derek Halden and with Susan Krumdieck and Elizabete Arsenio alongside me on the Panel, we got stuck into the wicked matter of the future ahead of us and what Read more
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A New Year’s radio interview, and Jevon’s Paradox
The transition to electric vehicles is in full swing and in the news, while I’ve been worring about Jevon’s Paradox. I’ve just done my first BBC Radio Bristol interview of 2024 on the topic of the EV transition. Putting aside politics and other matters about addressing the climate emergency, transitions are fascinating – especially as Read more
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Extinction Rebellion – walk in your own shoes in 2123
Handmade Extinction Rebellion Christmas tree decoration from Robin Lyons and Catt Lyons. An intensely personal gift which I love 💚 As the season that marks the high point of our capitalist year comes to an end, have a think about XR and Just Stop Oil. These are not terrorist eco zealots, they are the voice Read more
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[Apologies. The image for this post may cause offence to young people who care more about climate change than empire.] It appears the Prime Minister (or one of his SPADs) has been watching his box set of Yes Prime Minister desperately hoping to find inspiration to win a few votes. Nothing like looking back to…
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Archeologists are baffled by discovery of an ancient document that supposedly offered a guiding light in a bygone era. “We’re still unclear whether or not these principles were meant to be put into practice or just a nice theory” said Professor Xavier Rumpus, a specialist in public discourse and protest. His colleague Professor Beatrice Profitte…
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Storytelling, personal journeys, and leaders walking the walk help us to nurture talent, embrace diversity and foster an inclusive working environment. But we have a long way to go. I have been at the annual Construction Industry Council (CIC) conference today on behalf of Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation (CIHT) – a gathering of…
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I’ve never been to Glastonbury Festival but I’m guessing getting your summer rail journey planned across Europe is on a par with the stress of whether or not you’ll get a Glasto ticket when they become available. Last year for the family holiday in southern spain I went by train (while the others flew). The…
What the hell is going on? 