@richardblyth.bsky.social
Chartered town planner and trainee theologian
Reposted
I find it interesting this has gotten zero coverage in #US Media:
“Growth was said to have been driven primarily by domestic demand despite continued global trade and policy uncertainty.
The government described the current phase as a rare "Goldilocks" period of high growth and low inflation”
“Growth was said to have been driven primarily by domestic demand despite continued global trade and policy uncertainty.
The government described the current phase as a rare "Goldilocks" period of high growth and low inflation”
India overtakes Japan as 4th-largest economy, report says – DW – 12/30/2025
India has pushed ahead of Japan as the world's fourth-biggest economy after sustained high growth, New Delhi says. Economic pace has apparently picked up more quickly than expected and India may soon ...
amp.dw.com
January 4, 2026 at 1:40 PM
I find it interesting this has gotten zero coverage in #US Media:
“Growth was said to have been driven primarily by domestic demand despite continued global trade and policy uncertainty.
The government described the current phase as a rare "Goldilocks" period of high growth and low inflation”
“Growth was said to have been driven primarily by domestic demand despite continued global trade and policy uncertainty.
The government described the current phase as a rare "Goldilocks" period of high growth and low inflation”
Don't plan your transport separately from your housing.
Ever.
Ever.
A 1965 report predicting BART ridership at Berkeley's stations. The estimates are way high, primarily because they assumed population densification and a seamless transfer from AC Transit to BART.
North Berkeley: 8,700 predicted (4100 actual)
Ashby: 16,400 (5,165)
Downtown Berk: 24,000 (11,000)
North Berkeley: 8,700 predicted (4100 actual)
Ashby: 16,400 (5,165)
Downtown Berk: 24,000 (11,000)
January 2, 2026 at 3:55 PM
Don't plan your transport separately from your housing.
Ever.
Ever.
Ah yes, good old services exports. Bringing home the bacon since at least 1950...
December 30, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Ah yes, good old services exports. Bringing home the bacon since at least 1950...
Reposted
Definitely think a different narrative could broaden support for change. It is odd really that a car-dependent society which requires state licensing, surveillance/policing, endless massive government investment & restricts freedom to use alternatives has such ardent defenders on the right.
Interesting-looking new study by Dawid Krysinski & colleagues on how experiencing the negative sides of car dependence can lead people to support car use restrictions doi.org/10.1016/j.tr...
December 30, 2025 at 7:37 AM
Definitely think a different narrative could broaden support for change. It is odd really that a car-dependent society which requires state licensing, surveillance/policing, endless massive government investment & restricts freedom to use alternatives has such ardent defenders on the right.
This is great, and something we thought of for our church in London, but the problem is getting the initial capital.
Sunday Video: What Is The YIGBY Housing Movement? www.theurbanist.org/2025/12/28/s...
Sunday Video: What Is The YIGBY Housing Movement? » The Urbanist
# In this video, Dave Amos of City Beautiful talks about a growing national movement of faith-based organizations that are seeking to put their landholdings to work for housing, known as Yes-In-God’s-...
www.theurbanist.org
December 29, 2025 at 6:29 PM
This is great, and something we thought of for our church in London, but the problem is getting the initial capital.
Reposted
RESHAPING BRITISH RAILWAYS (1963)
December 25, 2025 at 5:51 PM
RESHAPING BRITISH RAILWAYS (1963)
Shame to be so down on the Commonwealth Games. They are a better means of regeneration pound for pound than the Olympics . Ask Manchester.
For all their amateur charm, the Commonwealth games have long been the Olympics on a budget. In 2026 their terminal decline will become apparent
Why it’s game over for the Commonwealth Games
Thousands of athletes will attend, but the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow will be a threadbare event. 2026 will signal the demise of the ailing sports jamboree
econ.st
December 24, 2025 at 9:28 AM
Shame to be so down on the Commonwealth Games. They are a better means of regeneration pound for pound than the Olympics . Ask Manchester.
Reposted
Very unlikely that this would happen, but homeowners may not see unearned capital gains of 50% in 5 years, as has happened recently in Princeton.
Trump: If we build more housing, the price of homes will go down, and homeowners will lose their wealth.
December 22, 2025 at 10:38 PM
Very unlikely that this would happen, but homeowners may not see unearned capital gains of 50% in 5 years, as has happened recently in Princeton.
When you could actually go somewhere on Christmas day ...
A (likely) posed image of a London, Midland and Scottish Railway dining car decked out in festive garb, from the December 1937 edition of the staff magazine.
It was estimated that the company's dining cars would serve 12,000 lbs of turkey on Christmas Day that year.
It was estimated that the company's dining cars would serve 12,000 lbs of turkey on Christmas Day that year.
December 23, 2025 at 8:16 PM
When you could actually go somewhere on Christmas day ...
Turning out drawers. I love finding the old newspapers. (Guess this is a culture now ended.)
Thread from the Independent 2 March 1992
Thread from the Independent 2 March 1992
December 23, 2025 at 5:51 PM
Turning out drawers. I love finding the old newspapers. (Guess this is a culture now ended.)
Thread from the Independent 2 March 1992
Thread from the Independent 2 March 1992
Reposted
The damage wreaked by Thatcher is incalculable. Here’s one of the worst examples 👇
December 23, 2025 at 7:20 AM
The damage wreaked by Thatcher is incalculable. Here’s one of the worst examples 👇
Public private partnership
December 22, 2025 at 9:21 AM
Public private partnership
Reposted
I've got a lot to hand to the South Western 455s
They ignited my passion for trains, these little red boxes were what I remember growing up in Surbiton. They've led to a passion that then became friends for life and a career to be proud of
What a brilliant day! I'll miss these lovely trains 🥲
They ignited my passion for trains, these little red boxes were what I remember growing up in Surbiton. They've led to a passion that then became friends for life and a career to be proud of
What a brilliant day! I'll miss these lovely trains 🥲
December 21, 2025 at 7:50 PM
I've got a lot to hand to the South Western 455s
They ignited my passion for trains, these little red boxes were what I remember growing up in Surbiton. They've led to a passion that then became friends for life and a career to be proud of
What a brilliant day! I'll miss these lovely trains 🥲
They ignited my passion for trains, these little red boxes were what I remember growing up in Surbiton. They've led to a passion that then became friends for life and a career to be proud of
What a brilliant day! I'll miss these lovely trains 🥲
Reposted
The fact that driverless cars kill + injure fewer people than conventional cars is a genuine plus.
It doesn't outweigh minus of private companies flooding public streets with constantly cruising vehicles that periodically cause gridlock, chaos.
Here's one Waymo messing up dozens of people's day:
It doesn't outweigh minus of private companies flooding public streets with constantly cruising vehicles that periodically cause gridlock, chaos.
Here's one Waymo messing up dozens of people's day:
December 21, 2025 at 6:37 PM
The fact that driverless cars kill + injure fewer people than conventional cars is a genuine plus.
It doesn't outweigh minus of private companies flooding public streets with constantly cruising vehicles that periodically cause gridlock, chaos.
Here's one Waymo messing up dozens of people's day:
It doesn't outweigh minus of private companies flooding public streets with constantly cruising vehicles that periodically cause gridlock, chaos.
Here's one Waymo messing up dozens of people's day:
No it doesn't.
December 20, 2025 at 8:54 PM
No it doesn't.
Just don't get why national governments are so picky about this stuff. Not just in England, clearly.
Italian federalism, and short-term rental regulation, h/t @twieditz.bsky.social
www.florencedailynews.com/2025/12/17/c...
www.florencedailynews.com/2025/12/17/c...
Constitutional Court upholds Tuscany’s tourism law on short-term rentals | Florence Daily News
Judges reject government appeal, confirming regional powers to regulate short lets.
www.florencedailynews.com
December 18, 2025 at 1:48 PM
Just don't get why national governments are so picky about this stuff. Not just in England, clearly.
Reposted
We had support from Network Rail, Northern Rail (the TOC), and Northumberland CC. Unfortunately we were abolished 11 days after the 2010 election and it was one of many projects either cancelled or returned to square one.
December 16, 2025 at 11:03 PM
We had support from Network Rail, Northern Rail (the TOC), and Northumberland CC. Unfortunately we were abolished 11 days after the 2010 election and it was one of many projects either cancelled or returned to square one.
Reposted
RTPI: "This is a significant and far-reaching reset of the planning system. These proposals go well beyond technical amendments and would fundamentally change how planning policy is structured and applied." - so needs proper consultation
www.rtpi.org.uk/new-from-the...
www.rtpi.org.uk/new-from-the...
Government looks to overhaul planning system in major reset of the NPPF | Championing the power of planning
The Government has announced plans for a major overhaul of England’s planning system through proposed changes to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF),
www.rtpi.org.uk
December 16, 2025 at 6:09 PM
RTPI: "This is a significant and far-reaching reset of the planning system. These proposals go well beyond technical amendments and would fundamentally change how planning policy is structured and applied." - so needs proper consultation
www.rtpi.org.uk/new-from-the...
www.rtpi.org.uk/new-from-the...
Reposted
"One day in Ms. Johnson’s class, my stomach started hurting during a math test. I scribbled down some nonsense, turned in the test, and approached Ms. Johnson’s desk."
“I Don’t Know, CAN You?” A Teacher’s Grammar Lesson Goes Too Far
A sad but true story. - - -Ms. Johnson’s fiancé left her at the altar. According to legend, that’s why she was so mean. I never got it. As a shy ...
buff.ly
December 15, 2025 at 1:32 PM
"One day in Ms. Johnson’s class, my stomach started hurting during a math test. I scribbled down some nonsense, turned in the test, and approached Ms. Johnson’s desk."
High speed rail is unsuitable for Britain because the distances are too small
December 13, 2025 at 5:37 PM
High speed rail is unsuitable for Britain because the distances are too small
Reposted
Today Austria inaugurated the Koralmbahn, offering a more direct route between Vienna and the Italian border and putting all its major southern cities on a single line.
It's designed for 250 km/h, like most HSR segments in Austria.
It's designed for 250 km/h, like most HSR segments in Austria.
December 12, 2025 at 8:17 PM
Today Austria inaugurated the Koralmbahn, offering a more direct route between Vienna and the Italian border and putting all its major southern cities on a single line.
It's designed for 250 km/h, like most HSR segments in Austria.
It's designed for 250 km/h, like most HSR segments in Austria.
Reposted
It's crazy that many cities are getting automated taxis before they get automated trains.
Trains are technically much easier to automate. But the standards for safe driving are so, so much lower.
Trains are technically much easier to automate. But the standards for safe driving are so, so much lower.
December 11, 2025 at 4:42 PM
It's crazy that many cities are getting automated taxis before they get automated trains.
Trains are technically much easier to automate. But the standards for safe driving are so, so much lower.
Trains are technically much easier to automate. But the standards for safe driving are so, so much lower.
Reposted
Yesterday, the President of the Court, Mattias Guyomar, met with the UK’s Deputy Prime Minister, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, David Lammy, and the Attorney General, Lord Richard Hermer KC, in Strasbourg.
More
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www.echr.coe.int/w/court-pres...
More
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www.echr.coe.int/w/court-pres...
December 10, 2025 at 10:51 AM
Yesterday, the President of the Court, Mattias Guyomar, met with the UK’s Deputy Prime Minister, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, David Lammy, and the Attorney General, Lord Richard Hermer KC, in Strasbourg.
More
⬇️
www.echr.coe.int/w/court-pres...
More
⬇️
www.echr.coe.int/w/court-pres...
Reposted
‘The wind turbine and the Catapult building advertise Blyth’s centrality to the carbon-free economy of the future. They advertise it, but I don’t quite believe it, and neither, judging by the local popularity of Reform, does Blyth.’
@jamesmeek.bsky.social:
www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...
@jamesmeek.bsky.social:
www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...
James Meek · Ten-Foot Chopsticks: The North-East Transition
The ghost of the industrial revolution haunts Britain. The language of today’s politicians, of unlocking and...
www.lrb.co.uk
December 8, 2025 at 3:40 PM
‘The wind turbine and the Catapult building advertise Blyth’s centrality to the carbon-free economy of the future. They advertise it, but I don’t quite believe it, and neither, judging by the local popularity of Reform, does Blyth.’
@jamesmeek.bsky.social:
www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...
@jamesmeek.bsky.social:
www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...