Jon Stone

@EngFocus @RAIL yeah that is a fair point about it not reflecting anything around there, wren churches are notably very different. in some respects the stark juxtaposition of medieval and hi-tech is what the City is all about so I suppose that fits in way. I think I just like the scale/boldness!

@joncstone @RAIL I'm struggling with this one. I don't have an issue with ultra modern sitting alongside old, or attempts to blend the 2 (if done well). But to me the use of the gothic influence doesn't really seem to reflect anything else in the area. With the OSD it looks odd to me

I do not understand the oversized neo gothic arches. As far as I can tell they don't reflect any nearby architecture? Perhaps the station roof? But this is more church like, than station. Creating a pastiche has the potential to age very badly. Pics from latest issue of @RAIL

@OpenChiswickW4 @HounslowCycling @katherinedunne @Shansview I imagine that’s a common approach! It’s not up to standard yet

@joncstone @HounslowCycling @katherinedunne @Shansview Sadly it means I avoid the section with my children. Far too likely that we get close-passed by an aggressive rat runner. Especially in the area where it narrows by Marlborough Road. It really isn’t safe or comfortable enough for a lot of cyclists and potential cyclists.

Another great cycle route video from @joncstone featuring #Cycleway9 @katherinedunne @Shansview youtu.be/WKO52GSJ9-M?si…

@OpenChiswickW4 @HounslowCycling @katherinedunne @Shansview yes its a shame that they've built this great infrastructure and then not quite done this small gap in the middle!

@HounslowCycling @katherinedunne @joncstone @Shansview Great video and route. Good tips on the way from Hammersmith Rd to Shepherds Bush. And well noted that Wellesley Road has two alternative parallel routes for through traffic and really should be filtered at the eastern end to call C9 a proper and fully connected cycle lane.

EU insists on tuition fees cut as price of Brexit reset politico.eu/article/eu-ins…

@Adam_Mart1n @liam43102 (Also most long distance trains we take are SWR as it’s where family live- which don’t have seat reservations anyway, it’s only a problem when we do trips on LNER/avanti/gwr which is only a few times a year really)

@Adam_Mart1n @liam43102 I’ve already got a two together railcard which is more flexible as we can use it when we don’t have the lad (and I don’t really want to buy a ticket for the child when he’s entitled to free travel - I can just grab an unreserved seat)

There is a special place in hell for people with “Advance” rail tickets (and thus have a compulsory seat reservation) sitting in the unreserved coach. This is for ‘walk up’ fares. Do everyone a favour and stick to your ticket!

@breadandposes @mynnoj yeah this is a very good point. goes off in quite a few directions

@joncstone @mynnoj It goes up constantly but the main issue imo is the vast differences in outcomes for the middle groups between "mostly fucked" young and "mostly alright" old makes it hard to build a coherent cohort.

It's why I think everyone is underpricing the greens winning seats in circumstances where there are genuinely 5 competitive parties in England. Their voter base is perfectly designed to win 200 seats on 20% imo.

@mynnoj @breadandposes Yeah I’d guess the cultural break in cohorts is probably currently in the mid/late 40s? Potentially by the next election it will be closer though

@breadandposes I’m not sure the 35-54 age range is a useful one for doing polling on

NEW: Mayor to consider new charges for SUVs in London bbc.co.uk/news/articles/…

@discostuart_ can’t vouch for its authenticity but I had something resembling it (that was nice) at Japes on Dean St

@b_judah worth saying this is a best case scenario because its London... most regions arent getting parliament to do them some bespoke legislation to let them to solve issues at all, never mind in 4 years or whatever

@b_judah theyre waiting for parliament to pass legislation to let them do it (the bill linked above per their answer here) tfl.gov.uk/corporate/tran…

Fact there seems to be close to zero interest in reforming London governance in policy and political circles is a major black pill of a mine. Councils strangling growth? Mah, who cares we’ve got plenty of that.

@b_judah Imo if local/regional authorities had more general competence to do stuff rather than relying on specific powers being granted by Parliament whenever a new area of interest emerges. (Raising own resource also an issue in most cases though less here)

@joncstone How could you do all of this faster?

@b_judah oh its this legislation that gives power for city-wide licensing bills.parliament.uk/bills/4002

@b_judah anything: being starved of ££££ and seeing tendering etc as a potential revenue stream

@PRAVDA_KECHB stir a little sugar packet in like we do with tea?

Sugar Tax sweetener dilution downgraded AG Barr from a top 3 fizzy pop maker to barely a top 10. I drink an Irn Bru or a Cream Soda now and I weep. Would pay a premium for the good stuff (sugar) to go back in.

The Register of Staff Interests has been key to understanding how money flows through our politics. Gutting it will significantly damage our ability to understand who is paying for what.