Steve Chambers

Steve Chambers

@planningtransport.co.uk

Transport and urban planning stuff. I run sustainable transport and environmental justice non-profits: @transportgood.org @transportfornewhomes.org.uk

12.7K followers2.2K following19.1K posts

Steve Chambers
@planningtransport.co.uk

But what about the sky? Didn't it fall? Every time a street is pedestrianised the same predictions of doom are made.

paulusthewoodgnome@paulusthewoodgnome.bsky.social

In more, hot off the press, high street pedestrianisation in London news... 🥳 'In May 2025, Camden launched a trial pedestrianisation of part of Camden High Street to create a safer, healthier space. Following consultation, the changes trialled are now permanent.' news.camden.gov.uk/pedestrianis...

news.camden.gov.ukPedestrianisation of Camden High Street to be made permanentIn May 2025, Camden Council launched a trial pedestrianisation of part of Camden High Street to create a safer, healthier and more enjoyable space for everyone.This summer we consulted on making the t...
Steve Chambers
@planningtransport.co.uk

A bus. And yet it takes decades to talk about. Endless reports and consultations. A bus.

CLondoner92@clondoner92.bsky.social

Hertfordshire County Council is consulting on plans for an east-west rapid transit network linking Hertfordshire and Essex. Electric ̶t̶r̶a̶c̶k̶l̶e̶s̶s̶ ̶t̶r̶a̶m̶s̶ (buses) are the preferred option. Have your say and help shape future transport plans before the consultation closes on 4 December. Link below ⤵️

Steve Chambers
@planningtransport.co.uk

Kiss of death the moment anything gets called a "rapid transit". Means years of playing Let's Pretend we are going to build a tram or metro. Then more years convincing ourselves a bus was what we really wanted all along.

Steve Chambers reposted

Edwin Hayward
@edwinhayward.com

Reform plan to bring back imperial measurements to help boost US trade, not realising that US imperial measurements are different from UK ones. So dense a black hole is empty space by comparison.

Steve Chambers
@planningtransport.co.uk

Good. But how long it takes to get anything done in this country. Ten years to close a road to traffic.

Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan@london.gov.uk

I've always believed Oxford Street could be so much more than a road. Today we begin a new chapter as the nation’s high street goes traffic free, creating a place where people can spend time, enjoy the atmosphere and experience the very best of our city.

Steve Chambers
@planningtransport.co.uk

Some doom prepping I have done. I have a data sim in the ipad but I also keep a 5G modem with ethernet/wifi in the cupboard that I could put the sim in if the internet went out. As a bonus I can take it travelling to avoid bad hotel wifi. I was inspired to do this when the broadband died for days.

Steve Chambers
@planningtransport.co.uk

As I don't have a car and cannot face the idea of shopping in a taxi, I get bulk deliveries of any item I can. This also saves money. So there is always a stock of stuff, many of the things in that list. The only caveat is I have space to do this thanks to a garage and no cars.

Steve Chambers
@planningtransport.co.uk

When there were threats of blackouts a while back (I forget when in the years of crises) I filled a box with those torches that light a room and have USB sockets. Plus batteries. Might need to check up on them soon as has been some time.

Steve Chambers
@planningtransport.co.uk

So tired of hearing the wisdom of the people who shit the bed and set fire to the house.

The i Paper @theipaper.com

“Healey should remove anxiety and depression as a reason to claim benefits and offer people treatment instead. It would be better for the individuals and a fraction of the cost.” Read more: trib.al/cxsKwxw

Steve Chambers
@planningtransport.co.uk

www.reuters.com/world/us/bid...

reuters.comBiden to tackle helpline wait times in pro-consumer pushThe Biden administration on Monday unveiled new rules and efforts targeting consumer annoyances ranging from hard-to-cancel subscriptions, cumbersome insurance forms, and not being able to get a live ...
Josh Self@josh.politics.co.uk

Voters do not share Westminster’s sense of scale Burnham’s micro-policy blitz is designed to address the little dysfunctions that fuel public disillusionment

politics.co.ukBurnham’s ‘small fixes’ could go a long way - Politics.co.ukThe prime minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland has spent the past week declaring war on headphone-dodgers, excessive car park fines and potholes. This somewhat unusual ...
Steve Chambers
@planningtransport.co.uk

Easy availability of acceptable quality coffee. It was once Soho, the odd Italian lunch place and a scattering of Prets. You have no idea how bad it was.

Michael Druker 🇨🇦@mdruker.app

Social media loves talking about how everything is getting worse. But what’s something that you’ve seen get _better_ in your lifetime?

Steve Chambers
@planningtransport.co.uk

Don't rush devolution? It cannot get much slower.

Phil M 🦻🏼💚 🍉 🏳️‍⚧️ 🇵🇸@phillm.bsky.social

Tourism tax? I wouldn't trust wanky Grimes with the money for an ice cream. "Darren Grimes, Reform UK deputy leader of Durham council, issued a press release that quoted a discussion about tourism tax verbatim. He told the FT: 'I won’t be revealing my sources'." giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...

giftarticle.ft.comBurnham should not rush on giving tax powers to English mayors, experts warnLocal and regional leaders waiting for details on fiscal devolution plan in Budget
Steve Chambers
@planningtransport.co.uk

By all means call another general election to renew your mandate to fiddle and fart with transport.

Brynley Heaven@brynleyheaven.bsky.social

Big scandal brewing on new Bradford Station pledge. They've moved it from inner city Markets site to city centre Interchange site, but apparently dropped through running (official govt statement is as clear as mud). Bradford Green Party are asking the Transport Minister to clarify

thetelegraphandargus.co.ukSerious concerns about lack of commitment to 'through station' in BradfordThe British Regional Transport Association Northern branch said they had major issues with the plans.
Steve Chambers
@planningtransport.co.uk

It even has the unofficial/non-publicised A, B, C,... zones.

Jonn Elledge@jonnelledge.bsky.social

anyway, one of the helpful companies that run "information desks" to trick tourists into paying a fortune for the sodding Heathrow Express has this unofficial tube and rail map up, and it's... kind of great? but my photo didn't catch the company name or credit. anyone recognise?

Steve Chambers reposted

Gareth Dennis
@garethdennis.uk

So now we've got some clarity via the local newspaper, this announcement is actually cancellation of the through station and a public admission that the design of the station is now being delayed by years. We're in a worse position now than we were in 2022. Appalling.

Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire@mayorofwy.bsky.social

This ironclad commitment to a new station is an important milestone for Bradford.🤝🚆 The city has so much untapped potential, and faster, more frequent trains to Leeds and Manchester, alongside the transformation of its centre, will help to finally unleash it.💪

Steve Chambers
@planningtransport.co.uk

It isn't planning. It is a series of loopholes to be argued over.

Richard Hebditch@richard.hebditch.org

Green Belt stats out today. They are becoming largely meaningless. Green Belt has five purposes but post-2024 govt policy allows development on sites which don't meet three of the five policies (see below).

Steve Chambers reposted

Richard Hebditch
@richard.hebditch.org

Replying to @richard.hebditch.org

How much land will be grey belt? C4 News report: "96% of the green belt areas assessed [in Guildford] were potentially grey belt. In Stoke it was 92%, North Tyneside was 44%, and Solihull, nearly 80%." channel4news.substack.com/p/revealed-l...

channel4news.substack.comHow land is being redesignated as grey belt so homes can be builtEnglish councils are being asked to review their green belt and identify what could become grey belt. We used Freedom of Information laws to ask councils with green belt land what they are doing.
Steve Chambers
@planningtransport.co.uk

Your ticket didn't work the barrier? Best spread out the family and your luggage so you block every single one of them.

Jonn Elledge@jonnelledge.bsky.social

always nice to meet American tourists who have not previously encountered other humans, standing in an inconvenient place at a major London railway station with no hint of awareness they might be in anybody's way