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Alistair Ford

@alistaircford.bsky.social
515 followers 504 following 410 posts

Geospatial lecturer, climate/sustainability researcher, rail enthusiast, music lover, Green activist, beekeeper, lower league footy fan, grower of tiny vegetables, bike rider. Views my own etc.

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Reposted by Alistair Ford
Angry People in Local Newspapers @apiln.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
If you thought “This looks important”, you’d be right. It is very important.
chroniclelive.co.uk
Celebs including Eastenders actor and Nigella targeted by bizarre graffiti
Graffiti targeting celebrities such as Danny Dyer and Nigella Lawson has appeared in a Tyneside suburb
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Alistair Ford @alistaircford.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Bill Callahan at Wylam Brewery tonight. Absolutely superb. Wonderful musicianship, great to see Jim White on drums, and also great to catch up with loads of familiar faces, many of whom I haven't seen for years. Live music really is a joy.
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Reposted by Alistair Ford
Mums for Lungs @mumsforlungs.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Interesting insights here from @cyclinguk.bsky.social. Good to see that one of their YouGov polls this year revealed that 70% of people support #SchoolStreets - but think that only 49% of others do. Also interesting to see common misperceptions around the popularity of cycle routes and speed limits.
cyclinguk.org
Cycle routes more popular than people think
There’s a common misperception that creating safe space for cycling in our communities is unpopular. Cycling UK’s Policy Manager, Jim Densham, explains the phenomenon and why we have published a new…
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Reposted by Alistair Ford
Carbon Brief @carbonbrief.org · 24/09/2026
NEW – Analysis: EVs are now nine times cheaper than petrol or diesel to drive in the UK ✍️ Written by @mollylempriere.carbonbrief.org 📊 Data analysis by Ho Woo Nam Read here: buff.ly/VpxOLE5
EVs are now up to nine times cheaper per mile than diesel cars. Pence per mile. A chart shows diesel highest at around 21p, petrol at 20p, EV at price cap at 7p, and EV off peak lowest at under 2.5p. Source: Carbon Brief analysis, DESNZ, Ofgem, Zapmap. - (alt text generated by Google Gemini)
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Alistair Ford @alistaircford.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Very excited to be down in Manchester today for the @ategov.bsky.social Making Active Places conference. Already seen lots of familiar friendly faces, and looking forward to talking about the work @darehub.bsky.social is doing to make active travel resilient to climate change. Say hi if you're here!
An exterior view of Aviva studios on a misty Manchester morn.Delegates from across the UK registering at the Making Active Places conference and having excitable conversations.
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Alistair Ford @alistaircford.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
This is really very funny indeed: m.youtube.com/watch?v=uSMo...
m.youtube.com
Geordie Racer was... Certainly Something
YouTube video by RoseTintedSpectrum
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Reposted by Alistair Ford
Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research @tyndallcentre.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Global temperature rise is set to cross 1.5°C, likely within the next few years, pushing climate risks and impacts to increasingly dangerous heights – but it is still possible to bring temperatures down and achieve the global goals in the Paris Agreement 🌍️ 🔗 tyndall.ac.uk/news/limitin...
tyndall.ac.uk
Limiting Overshoot: UN report sets out path to return below 1.5°C - Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research
The world is set to cross 1.5°C global warming, but can still limit, adapt to and return from higher temperatures with rapid, collective and global climate action.
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Reposted by Alistair Ford
Kevin Anderson @kevinclimate.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
The CCC @thecccuk.bsky.social offers Heathrow a thumbs up, conditional on the massive deployment of “snake oil” technologies (SAF & GGR). Report by Tyndall researchers, building on UK Govt commitments, science & maths, reaches a very different conclusion. See: climateuncensored.com/heathrow-exp...
climateuncensored.com
Heathrow Expansion: The Physics Does Not Negotiate - Climate Uncensored
Below is the foreword I wrote for my Tyndall colleagues’ detailed and rigorous report examining whether further expansion of Heathrow can be reconciled with
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Reposted by Alistair Ford
Peter Walker @peterwalker99.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
By coincidence, I was asked by our opinion desk to write about the current panic over e-bikes, and so I wrote this, pointing out that if we're going to discuss e-bikes we should at least know what we're talking about. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
theguardian.com
When is an ebike not an ebike? When it has a powerful illegal engine. Get this menace off our roads | Peter Walker
As a cyclist I want the authorities to act with clarity. Lime bikes and renters can be annoying, but the true threat is those who dangerously flout the law, says the Guardian’s senior political corres...
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George Monbiot @georgemonbiot.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
For years I've been told that aviation emissions are negligible, so don't worry your little head about them. But I've kept pointing out that there are - and will be - no good technical solutions, and they'll keep growing. Now we know just how big the problem is. www.carbonbrief.org/ccc-heathrow...
carbonbrief.org
CCC: Heathrow expansion could push flights to ‘80% of UK emissions by 2050’ - Carbon Brief
Aviation is on track to be responsible for 80% of the UK’s carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 2050, according to the Climate Change Committee (CCC).
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Reposted by Alistair Ford
Doug Parr @dougparr.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
UK Government climate change advisers say expanding Heathrow airport is incompatible with climate targets To make it so, the aviation industry should pay for carbon removals & sustainable aviation fuel Trouble is neither of those meaningfully exist www.theguardian.com/environment/...
theguardian.com
Airlines should pay for CO2 removal if Heathrow expands, say climate advisers
Climate Change Committee says government cannot expand airport without requiring aviation industry to clean up its emissions
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Alistair Ford @alistaircford.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Over to you, Newcastle.
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Alistair Ford @alistaircford.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
A sad farewell to my trusty steed as we reach the end of the road together. We've done thousands of miles over the years, all over the UK and even in the Netherlands. You've been a reliable source of mobility and adventure, even putting up with me falling off you sometimes. I'll miss you. 😢
A Trek 7.5FX hybrid bike propped against a stone wall in the sunshine.
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Reposted by Alistair Ford
Nicolas Fulghum @nicolasfulghum.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Gas power costs are reaching energy crisis levels again in the UK, which will inevitably push bills up for consumers. The fortunes of the British economy are still tied to the price of a single fossil fuel. When bills go up, remember that this is the reason why.
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Alistair Ford @alistaircford.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Airport expansion, like @nclairport.bsky.social plans for an almost doubling of passenger numbers, will lead to much higher emissions than previously projected. If the government is to meet its legal obligations to reach net zero emissions, airport expansion needs to be curtailed.
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Reposted by Alistair Ford
Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research @tyndallcentre.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
"Adaptation is therefore no longer about restoring yesterday’s conditions, but about preparing our society and infrastructure to be resilient regardless of tomorrow’s climate.” Prof. Richard Dawson outlines the infrastructure challenge in a report on climate overshoot: 🔗https://buff.ly/2qBsehv
A flooded city street with a car being pushed and pedestrians navigating the water. Photo by Sveta K via Pexels
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Alistair Ford @alistaircford.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Fascinating session with WSP at our @darehub.bsky.social researcher conference this morning. Tough questions and great discussion on their decision framework to help balancing decarbonisation and resilience in transport infrastructure planning. Early thinking and challenge of assumptions is vital.
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Alistair Ford @alistaircford.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
I haven't had as much fun at a gig in ages as I had watching @anginedepoitrine.bsky.social at Manchester Psyche Fest last night. Immensely funky mathrock, Vic and Bob-style surrealism, and a great young crowd really going for it. What live music is all about!
A large crowd applauding a band on stage.Angine de Poitrine giving it the full gun.
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Alistair Ford @alistaircford.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Exciting news!
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Alistair Ford @alistaircford.bsky.social · 08/08/2026
For many a year I've enjoyed a cuppa and a shortbread biscuit on my way home on an @lner.co.uk train. Tonight, the nice chap in the buffet cupboard said they don't sell biscuits any more, and that they're now only available to first class passengers. What rampant discrimination! #BringBackBiccies
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Nick Simpson @iamnicksimpson.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
Amazing turnout for tonight’s National Emergency Briefing at @gosforthcivictheatre.co.uk There’s clearly a huge appetite for more information and leadership on climate change! Thank you to @space4gosforth.bsky.social, @hayleyjfowler.bsky.social, Frances Hinton and @alistaircford.bsky.social
Nearly 200 people in the Gosforth Civic Theatre, waiting for the event to startProf Hayley Fowler and Dr Alistair Ford on stageFrances Hinton and Nick Simpson on stageThe National Emergency Briefing film
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Alistair Ford @alistaircford.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
🚨 Woop woop: New Paper Alert! 🚨 Excited to announce our new paper, featuring the PhD work of @geospatialcdt.bsky.social alumnus Dr David Alvarez Castro, now of Arup City Modelling Lab, exploring agent-based transport modelling of active travel policies. 1/2 www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
sciencedirect.com
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Alistair Ford @alistaircford.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
A brilliant time was had by all at the second Modelling Active Mobility symposium in Cambridge. Despite happening in the middle of a heatwave (38 degrees - oof!), we had rich discussions, excellent presentations, and lovely social events. A privilege to be invited. Thanks to the organisers.
People in a lecture room listening to an opening speech at the Modelling Active Mobility symposium A group of smiling people at Gonville and Caius CollegeSome people on a punt on the River Cam, with King's College in the background.Symposium attendees at dinner in a Cambridge University dining room.
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Reposted by Alistair Ford
Ed Hawkins @edhawkins.org · 29/06/2026
Just one possible outcome... but the GFS weather forecast model is suggesting 40-41°C is possible in the UK around 7th July. This is a long-range forecast with significant uncertainty, but the fact that we are even seeing such values fairly regularly in the forecasts is extraordinary.
GFS for 7th July
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Iain Roberts @slowbikeiain.bsky.social · 27/06/2026
From 1925: a prediction that, as more people choose to drive to the countryside, cars will end up destroying the very beauty that people go to see.
This is a satirical cartoon titled "Motoring and Our Beautiful Countryside" by W.K. Haselden, published in 1925.It highlights the irony of motorists destroying the very scenic beauty they drive out to see by demanding infrastructure improvements.The panels demonstrate a progression from idyllic country lanes to suburban sprawl, with the final panel depicting a dystopian landscape dominated by wide roads and minimal greenery.
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Alistair Ford @alistaircford.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
A full day of transport resilience to extreme weather today, starting with a train journey through a sea of cancellations to get to LCRIG in Coventry. Great to connect with the local roads community, share @darehub.bsky.social work, and see some great initiatives. Nice cycle-themed hotel room too!
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Alistair Ford @alistaircford.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
A timely and worrying article on 'The quiet collapse of British universities'. Those of us who have worked in academia for over 20 years will have seen much change over that time, but the current situation is worrying. Many of my colleagues are ready to escape... open.substack.com/pub/arguably...
open.substack.com
The quiet collapse of British universities
One of our great triumphs and economic advantages is fading away
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Alistair Ford @alistaircford.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
It's horrifying that this has happened to someone outside my place of work. Police are appealing for witnesses who might have seen this assault yesterday evening that has left someone in hospital with serious head injuries. Please help if you can. www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-e...
chroniclelive.co.uk
Two boys arrested after 'serious assault' as man fights for life in hospital
Police cordons remain in place on Claremont Road and inside Walker Park in Newcastle
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Real Gaz on a proper bike: gazza_d@toot.bike @gazza-d.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
Absolutely awful tragic news. Hit by a driver as she stood next to a marked police car at an existing collision. No one is safe on UK roads. Absolutely no one. www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
theguardian.com
Northumbria police officer, 19, dies after being struck by car
PC Jess Turnbull was responding to separate crash when she was hit by Mercedes
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Peter Walker @peterwalker99.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
Exclusive: first govt plan for cycling and walking in England since the Johnson era contains some actual targets - including that 60% of all pupils walk/cycle/wheel to school by 2035. Transport sec Heidi Alexander says a lot of the push is based on public health. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
theguardian.com
Ministers want 60% of pupils in England ‘actively’ travelling to school by 2035
Exclusive: Transport secretary, Heidi Alexander, says cycling and walking plan focuses on ‘everyday travel needs’
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Dr Matthew Hardy @drmatthewhardy.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
Local elections fallout: Reform was successful in bringing 2024 non-voters into the electorate in 2025. To sum up the big moves: *Labour lost lots of voters to Greens *Cons lost some voters to Reform *Greens also picked up some former non-voters, but *Reform picked up slabs of former non-voters
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Alistair Ford @alistaircford.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
I was part of a working group, chaired by @johnstreetdales.bsky.social, that spent 18 months on making Blue House safer for all road users. We pored over data, looked at transport model outputs, and eventually came up with a design. Yet here we are years later and lives are still being risked...
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Alistair Ford @alistaircford.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
Happy #WorldBicycleDay everyone! I've spent the day at @landorlinks.bsky.social 'Climate Resilient Streets', talking about the work of the @darehub.bsky.social to understand the role of cycling in ensuring a decarbonised and resilient future for our urban areas. www.landorlinks.uk/crs-2026
landorlinks.uk
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Jonn Elledge @jonnelledge.bsky.social · 06/05/2026
This week: an afternoon on the campaign trail with the Greens in Newcastle; some notes on bank holidays; and some animated art of American airspace.
jonn.substack.com
Sunday Night and Monday Morning
This week: an afternoon on the campaign trail with the Greens in Newcastle; some notes on bank holidays; and some animated art of American airspace.
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Newcastle Green Party @nclgreenparty.bsky.social · 07/05/2026
Vote Green today! #GetGreensElected #LocalElections #VoteGreen Huge thanks to June Scott for starring in this! ☕️💚
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Alistair Ford @alistaircford.bsky.social · 07/05/2026
I couldn't persuade the cat to come with me to the polling station this morning (too cold) so you'll have to make do with #bikesatpollingstations from me instead.
My bike outside a building with POLLING STATION written on it.
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Alistair Ford @alistaircford.bsky.social · 27/04/2026
Not the usual way I spend my lunch break, but inspiring to be in a room full of Green Party members new and old today for the visit of @zackpolanski.bsky.social. It feels like the political tectonic plates in this country are shifting and the upcoming local elections will shake up politics.
A crowded room with Zack Polanski addressing an audience in front of a North East Green Party banner
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Alistair Ford @alistaircford.bsky.social · 17/04/2026
Didn't think much of the new @lner.co.uk sleeper service. Departing King Cross at 19:30 and arriving in Newcastle at 05:25 the following day, I found the beds very upright and uncomfortable and the lighting far too bright. I did enjoy the fresh air break at Grantham. Great staff though! #477minslate
Gah!
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Alistair Ford @alistaircford.bsky.social · 24/03/2026
Thought-provoking and challenging presentation by Lisa Schipper at #ICRS2026, exploring maladaptation and the pitfalls in our global response to climate change. Left me wondering: how can I as a quantitative spatial modeller be the most useful to support change? Any ideas @lisaschipper.bsky.social?
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Alistair Ford @alistaircford.bsky.social · 23/03/2026
Lovely to be back in TU Delft for #ICRS2026 International Conference on Resilient Infrastructure, presenting work from the @darehub.bsky.social researchers. Enjoyed the keynote from Caroline Field of PA Consulting this morning, and this must be the best conference freebie ever!
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Damian Carrington @dpcarrington.bsky.social · 23/03/2026
Earth being ‘pushed beyond its limits’ as energy imbalance reaches record high - #StateofClimate report finds Earth’s energy has moved dangerously out of balance, with oceans absorbing vast majority of trapped heat #climatecrisis @wmo-global.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/environment/...
theguardian.com
Earth being ‘pushed beyond its limits’ as energy imbalance reaches record high
State of the Climate report finds Earth’s energy has moved dangerously out of balance, with oceans absorbing vast majority of trapped heat
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Alistair Ford @alistaircford.bsky.social · 19/03/2026
Back in sunny Cambridge for the @darehub.bsky.social full team meeting, hearing about the great work our researchers are doing on transport resilience and decarbonisation. Also living the sustainable transport dream to get here. The multi-storey cycle parking at the railway station is immense!
Meeting room with furious discussions about multi-criteria decision making going on.Multi storey bike park with lots of cycles stored.View of Cambridge railway station at night from a hotel room window.
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George Monbiot @georgemonbiot.bsky.social · 19/03/2026
You might have formed the impression that Paul Johnson, former director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies, knows what he's talking about. The media treats him like the voice of God. But here he is - and not for the first time - talking out of his hat. Let's break it down in a short thread. 🧵
This is utter garbage. I believe in net zero. We need to get there. But renewables are not competitive. That's why they are subsidised. Fossil fuel markets are highly competitive. It shouldn't be hard to hold these two thoughts at the same time.
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Simon Evans @drsimevans.carbonbrief.org · 19/03/2026
😬UK gas prices just hit highest level since 2022😬 At current prices… * New wind & solar from latest "AR7" auction would cut the bill for UK gas imports by £5.5bn/y * A single (1) home heat pump would cut bill for gas imports by more than £600/y www.carbonbrief.org/analysis-why...
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Jon Owen @anotherjon.bsky.social · 19/03/2026
"This is not an inevitable feature of energy systems. It is a policy choice, [one] based on the inappropriate application of a piece of microeconomic theory to a market that does not satisfy the assumptions on which that theory depends." And *not changing* this mechanism is also a policy choice.
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North East PTUG @northeastptug.bsky.social · 18/03/2026
Fantastic to see this go ahead with support from across the region and parties. This is an important step towards bus services that work for people, not private profit, and integration between buses, Metro, and local rail in the North East. www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-e...
chroniclelive.co.uk
Mayor's push to take contol of North East buses moves closer to reality
The North East is moving closer to taking power over bus fares, routes and timetables out of the hands of private companies, under Kim McGuinness' proposed Angel Network
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Newcastle Green Party @nclgreenparty.bsky.social · 18/03/2026
🌱 The Big Newcastle Crowdfunder is here! We’ve secured £10,500 in matched funding - so donations are DOUBLED up to that amount. 🎯 Goal: £35,000 to reach 28,000 voters. Help fund the largest Green campaign Newcastle has ever seen! 👉 Donate: www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/turn-newca...
crowdfunder.co.uk
Turn Newcastle Green in 2026
Raise £35k to fund letters and leaflets reaching thousands of voters across nine wards to help elect more Green councillors in Newcastle.
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Newcastle Green Party @nclgreenparty.bsky.social · 03/03/2026
✨It’s time to make hope normal again in Newcastle. We’re out in communities across Newcastle every week - standing up for residents, listening, and taking action where it matters most. 🗳️ With the May 7th local elections fast-approaching, we need YOU to get involved in your area.
Let's win big in Newcastle Next! Our local elections are fast-approaching. And we need you. In Ouseburn...In Walker...In Heaton...In Elswick...
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Alistair Ford @alistaircford.bsky.social · 12/02/2026
A great couple of days in London, first as part of a delegation of academics heading to parliament to meet with members of the Transport Select Committee and then at our regular @darehub.bsky.social meet-up with Department for Transport colleagues. Resilience to extreme weather very apt right now.
Photo of the Houses of Parliament with bike, black cab, and red London bus.Group of people around a meeting table discussing resilience of transport to extreme weather.A London bus negotiating a very large puddle on a flooded Euston Road.
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Alison Stenning @alisonstenning.bsky.social · 31/01/2026
When direct connections between the mouth of Tyne and London and Norway were just part of the fabric of our ordinary transport infrastructures.
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