iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by Richard Mann

Gareth Epps @garethepps.bsky.social · 13/10/2026

Started the day on Radio Oxford talking traffic. Sunday was a bad day - Oxford Half road closures and crowds, but Westgate car park was jammed. To highlight its success I’m encouraging people to use P&R there especially of a weekend - family ticket only £3. Also…… [1/2]

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Richard Mann @transportparadise.bsky.social · 12/10/2026

Mostly this extra capacity will be on trains the go south in the morning, north in the afternoon. This is because the overnight depots at Plymouth, Bristol and Eastleigh don't have space to handle more. Plymouth depot is run by Great Western, who've been a bit slow to come up with solutions.

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Richard Mann @transportparadise.bsky.social · 11/10/2026

The congestion on Botley Road since it reopened is no worse than before it closed, possibly a bit better with the filters. As always, there are too many people prepared to cause congestion. We haven't been draconian *enough*

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Richard Mann @transportparadise.bsky.social · 11/10/2026

Cyclists are the easiest customers. They only basically need a clear one metre strip in each direction, and at Botley Road Railway Bridge the County hasn't even managed that.

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Richard Mann @transportparadise.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

The GBR rolling stock and (related) infrastructure strategy published earlier this week looks pretty solid. In essence they will replace diesel trains with battery electrics, with judicious electrification, and cascade the more-modern diesels to cover where necessary.

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Richard Mann @transportparadise.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Very interesting example for the difference between Supplementary Vote (probable Conservative win), and Alternative Vote / Preferential Voting (probable Labour or LibDem win, given likely Reform non-transfers)

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Richard Mann @transportparadise.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

All new trains level boarding effectively means no more InterCity bi-modes, which will be technically "quite challenging" when they come to renew the Voyagers (as pictured). Maybe we'll go back to using power cars.

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Reposted by Richard Mann

Dave Keating @davekeating.substack.com · 30/09/2026

Best part: "'My wallet was stolen and my Italian ID was inside,' she said. With a looming holiday, she contacted the Italian embassy to ask what she needed to do, but to her frustration quickly realised that it would be faster to gain Belgian citizenship than to wait for a remade Italian ID."

brusselstimes.com

Why so many Italians are getting Belgian nationality

Belgium appears to be an easy place for Italians to come and be themselves. Many of those who do, love it and choose to formally become Belgian. But why?

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Richard Mann @transportparadise.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

The electoral reform commission needs to focus on how governments get formed post-election. The voting system options are all well known, and the choice is largely political. It's a trade-off between being fair, and making it harder to form governments and then govern.

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Richard Mann @transportparadise.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Paddington to Oxford in 45 mins tonight. I think that's a personal best.

Train schedule, departed Paddington 2153, arrived Oxford 2238

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Richard Mann @transportparadise.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

The fence alongside the southern pavement on Osney Bridge needs to be removed. There aren't nearly so many pedestrians now Botley Road is open, and bikes are getting obstructed by the traffic queues.

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Reposted by Richard Mann

mattevansc3.bsky.social @mattevansc3.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

*Juliet wakes up and finds Romeo has stabbed himself* Juliet: Fuck

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Richard Mann @transportparadise.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

The zig-zags should be floated, and the lane continue to the start of the cycle track proper (with the give-way set back, and maybe the corner of the pavement cut back).

The start of the cycle track under the bridge, inbound. Most cyclists will stay on the road until Cripley Road and join there, and this should be a clear.

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Richard Mann @transportparadise.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

My analysis of new cycle lanes under Botley Road Railway Bridge, and suggestions for improvement, @garethepps.bsky.social

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Richard Mann @transportparadise.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Botley Road Railway Bridge cycle lane transitions 1) outbound entry Alignment is reasonably clear, most cyclists using it. Some pedestrians looking lost. Needs cycle logo on track, white lines before/after/through the crossing, no segregated footway sign, full width flush kerb, reduced tactiles.

Outbound entry to Botley Road railway bridge (longer shot)

Outbound entry Botley Road railway bridge (closer shot)

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Richard Mann @transportparadise.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

First walkthrough of the new cycling arrangements at Botley Road railway bridge. Lots of cyclists using the road in light traffic conditions. Outbound track needs a cycle logo to encourage pedestrians to use paved space. Entry from town fairly easy at crossing, but unclear and conflicts with peds

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Richard Mann @transportparadise.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

The main drivers of rail freight growth are: (1) economic growth (2) housing growth (3) lorry driver costs There are *some* excess costs as a result of rail capacity bottlenecks, but mostly there are workarounds. Opening up new routes (eg W9a through Kent or W12 on West Anglia) is more valuable.

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Richard Mann @transportparadise.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

915mm floor height and batteries - first of many I would expect

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Reposted by Richard Mann

Modern Railways @modernrailways.keypublishing.com · 10/09/2026

29x5-car Adessia Stream battery-electric units featuring level boarding have been ordered by TransPennine Express. Alstom will build them in Derby with construction beginning in 2028. www.modernrailways.com/article/alst...

modernrailways.com

Alstom to build 29 battery-electric units for TPE

Alstom wins a £1 billion contract to build and maintain 29x5-car battery-electric units for TransPennine Express with the trains being delivered from 2032.

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Richard Mann @transportparadise.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

My guess is the govt regards the blackshirts as low-level grift, and doesn't see any point in rising to their antics. Just let them do ever more blatant grifts, and expose themselves to ridicule, scorn and disgust.

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Richard Mann @transportparadise.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

On LGR my guess would be that they are balking at the complexity of splitting upper tier authorities. So maybe the previous decisions stick where there are already two unitaries to take the lead, but they opt for whole county unitaries where there isn't.

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Richard Mann @transportparadise.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Some interesting discussion of the form of the Midlands Rail Hub viaduct in the Railfuture response to the consultation (should it mimic the arches in concrete, or use tarnished steel longer spans, maybe with a blood and custard colour scheme)

railfuture.org.uk

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Richard Mann @transportparadise.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

HS2 have connected the Curzon 2 bridge to the Lawley Middleway viaduct over the weekend. Steampunk bridges of the world unite!

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Richard Mann @transportparadise.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

Interesting that DfT haven't said anything about an engineering study into making HS2 Phase 2a lower-cost. By contrast there *is* a study into an interim option for the capacity bottlenecks [at Stafford and Stockport], and this is getting 'rocket boosters' according to the Secretary of State.

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Reposted by Richard Mann

Oxfordshire County Council @oxfordshirecc.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

Quickways are helping create safer, more direct routes across Oxford, making cycling a practical option for getting to work, school or the shops. Read more: www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/transport-an...

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Richard Mann @transportparadise.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

Net zero is when we stop making the problem worse

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Reposted by Richard Mann

Paul Bernal @paulbernal.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

Someone in Labour needs to be clear. Freedom of movement was always a good thing. The objections to it were always both false and xenophobic.

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Richard Mann @transportparadise.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

Trams are great. Love a good tram. But buses can do 90% of the job, especially if you restrict cars to/from the city centre. The main problem with buses is that they take up too much space in the city centre; that's why you need to also prioritise bikes, especially for short commutes.

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Richard Mann @transportparadise.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

So the Treasury just makes everyone manage money, and delivery of real outputs suffers. And the idea is they devolve all the management to a mayor, who will have a real electoral incentive to deliver, but not one that's shared with the staff.

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Reposted by Richard Mann

Oxfordshire County Council @oxfordshirecc.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

From Monday 28 September, the traffic filters trial will begin in Oxford, following Network Rail’s planned reopening of Botley Road on 20 September. Read the full story: news.oxfordshire.gov.uk/traffic-filt...

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Richard Mann @transportparadise.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

UCAS entry rates at 18 vary wildly. London 51%, Other English Regions 30-39% Chinese 62%, Asian 51%, Black 48%, White 30%

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Richard Mann @transportparadise.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

The problem with approaching everything through a place lens is that it all becomes a competition between places for funds/attention. Which is the opposite of trying to get places to think about how they individually can do better.

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Richard Mann @transportparadise.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

It's been apparent for a while that battery trains are the likely endgame for secondary services. Key question is whether to settle for off-the-shelf 2MW (ie 20 min) charging, or develop a 4MW system. Maybe we'll finally get a Rolling Stock Strategy in the autumn...

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Richard Mann @transportparadise.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

The spatial distribution of transport problems (heavily concentrated in congested areas) doesn't match the spatial distribution of voters. Devolution of funding is going to be a problem unless people buy into the importance of fixing cities.

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Richard Mann @transportparadise.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

I'm wondering whether Northern Ireland-style power-sharing might be a solution for mayors in the shires. Elect two mayors using STV, so that you get one urban and one rural, and let them negotiate.

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Richard Mann @transportparadise.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

Trying to think about how this might be made to work. Maybe taking back responsibility rather than control. And focusing on using the tools of investment and regulation.

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Richard Mann @transportparadise.bsky.social · 18/07/2026

The reorganisation would be a lot simpler if Ridgeway and North Oxfordshire were left combined as a rump Oxfordshire (in line with what has been done in many other counties).

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Reposted by Richard Mann

Oxford Clarion @oxfordclarion.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

173 electric buses are now in service across the roads of Oxfordshire, following another delivery of single-deckers to Oxford Bus Company – to be used in semi-rural routes out of Oxford and Bicester. The buses have air conditioning (with a zero-emission heat pump) and can move up to 45 passengers.

New Alexander Dennis Enviro100 single-decker bus

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Reposted by Richard Mann

Oxford Clarion @oxfordclarion.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

Oxford's congestion charge will be upgraded to the full "traffic filters" from 14 September. Instead of a £5 charge, a £70 fine will be levied for driving a car through the six camera points. Residents and certain other groups will continue to have a limited number of passes per year.

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Richard Mann @transportparadise.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

Going up the steps in Westminster Hall, I catch up with a school party who had just had the usual spiel. 'And this was also the site of the coronation of King Andy' I joked to the tour guide. She spluttered.

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Richard Mann @transportparadise.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

Much more interested in how cities can improve, and faster. Most of the answers lie in each city's own situation, and only loosely informed by the achievements of others. Simple oneupmanship is just banter.

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Richard Mann @transportparadise.bsky.social · 28/06/2026

That Rail Alphabet 2 looks pretty bold (and all the better for it)

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Richard Mann @transportparadise.bsky.social · 21/06/2026

So we complete the set. Easternmost point at sunrise at midsummer, in company with a few dozen bikers

Sunrise at midsummer at Ness Point, 2026

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