Culvert exposed as GMT returns

Currently the most significant event on my short commute is some long term roadworks. Reporting on roadworks feels definitely anorakish but since these are works affecting the river on which Blackburn originated, it seems worth a weekly report to keep the good townsfolk abreast of this riveting development and provide a future historical record of what will again be buried under Philips road.



Work to replace the culvert over the River Blakewater appeared to progress in a significant leap in this seventh week of activity. About 15 metres of the downstream end of the culvert have been uncovered. The light in the evening has been so low most of my photos have suffered from camera shake. Tomorrow, I'll be returning in near complete darkness now British Summer Time has ended and the clocks have gone back to Greenwich Mean Time.

Tredz downhill race

The guys at Tredz in Penarth have posted a report, pics and videos of last Sunday's downhill races hosted in Penarth.

It was nice to see the mayor of Penarth tried out the course wearing his chain of honour.

Other photographers' excellent image collections:

Ben Salter, Alex Redwood, Al Scott, Rob Gale and Gaz Powell

All good stuff.

Half term

It's very quiet on the roads this week due to the school half-term holidays. It has been cold too, yesterday, too cold for standing around at bus stops.

How much do you want cycling facilities to improve?

The people's £50m lottery givaway has four projects included in the final. One of them, Connect2, is proposed by Sustrans, the sustainable transport charity. This is what they say they will spend the money on, for the benefit of cyclists, commuters, schoolchildren, the elderly, leisure walkers, and wheelchair users:

"The money will be spent on Connect2’s 79 projects all over the UK.

Each Connect2 scheme will be inspirational in design but sensitive to the character and needs of the local area. The project will create attractive and welcoming networks of walking and cycling routes and intends to work with local people and organisations to create an environment in which you can take real pride.

By building bridges and new crossings over barriers such as busy roads, rivers and railway lines, Connect2 will connect people to the places they want to go."

Of the 79 projects in the scheme, the nearest is the Padiham, East Lancashire Loop, which may eventually link up with the old railway line in Great Harwood.



Connect2 needs your vote!

Sustrans' Connect2 is a UK-wide project that will transform local travel in 79 cities, towns and villages by creating new walking and cycling networks for everyday journeys.

For Connect2 to happen we really need your help. Connect2 is one of 4 projects competing in the Big Lottery Fund's: The People's £50 Million Contest on TV this December. A public vote will decide who wins the £50 million.

If you'd like to see £50 million invested in walking and cycling please register today so we can get in touch to let you know when and how to vote. Visit www.sustransconnect2.org.uk or text the word 'Connect2' to 80010.

Add your pledge, or better still, vote for one of the projects

Time for pruning

Here is a man from the Highway Management department keeping his bushes trimmed on the roundabout this morning. That silver one in the middle doesn't get trimmed much. Mind you, it doesn't grow much either. Visibility on and around the roundabout is improved by not having too much growing there but it is nice to have some greenery as well.