My turn to sound off!

Matthew 25 v 31-40  The Inasmuch of the Gospel is Christian socialism in action. Like 2 Cor 8 v 13-15.

Jesus is hungry.  In the 60s, I attended the Point 5 Oxfam w/e conference at Stowe School.  In 1986(?) I ran 10 Kms/miles for Feed the World, organised by Bob Geldoff.

Jesus is thirsty.  Parliamentary committee of MPs says we are going to have shortages of drinking water.

I WAS A STRANGER

Jesus is a stranger.  Our ancestors were strangers to the lands and people when they went all over the world.  First to explore, then to trade and to make disciples, and to make the most of other nations’ resources.  That led to violence and wars on other nations' land.  The "disgraceful" (Michael Portillo) Opium Wars on China.  The Boer War with us upright, honourable Brits introducing concentration camps to the world.

Jesus is not a warrior, never a soldier and never killed anyone; but he was the subject of capital punishment.  So we should be against capital punishment.

Jesus is a refugee when he, Mary and Joseph had to flee to Egypt.

Jesus is an asylum seeker wanting a better life (actually just to live, in many cases!)  and to escape the horrors of OUR wars in Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Yemen now and, in previous decades in Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos.

I WAS HOMELESS

Jesus was thrown out of his home in Diego Garcia by us, so very democratic lot.  Everyone was forcibly deported between 1968 and 1973.  But none of them ended up in the UK!  No way was that to happen!

“Diego Garcia is an island of the British Indian Ocean Territory, an overseas territory of the United Kingdom. It is a militarised atoll just south of the equator in the central Indian Ocean, and the largest of the 60 small islands of the Chagos Archipelago.” Wikipedia

Jesus flees environmental destruction brought about by our greedy, love of luxury, over-consumption and overpopulation.  The Royal Society in the 1990s said:-  “the two main drivers of global destruction were over-population and over-consumption.“

The level of sea ice in the Antarctic is the lowest ever recorded.  And it was thought - and very much hoped - to be acting as the planet’s refrigerator.  The planet is burning, said Greta Thunberg in 2018.

Jesus was naked, sick and a slave over the 300 years of OUR criminal, disgusting, the truly iniquitous and evil slave trade.  The perpetrators got bought off, handsomely but not the victims or their descendants!

I WAS A PRISONER IN GUANTANAMO BAY and you did nothing.

Jesus is a prisoner suffering an outrageous miscarriage of justice that even the Criminal Cases Review Commission refused to act on, not just once but twice, to leave the poor guy (Andrew Malkinson) languishing in prison for 17 years when, all along, he was the wrong man because of clear incompetence, corruption and negligence by those who should have known better!!  A small charity, Appeal had to do the Commissions work for them.  Scandalous!

Last Sunday, Martyn Joseph sang on ‘Songs of Praise from Greenbelt’, about Albert’s Place in Sunderland, with these words,

“The unemployed, the homeless and the lost

The abused, misused, refused, that gather here.

The measure of a country’s prosperity is not the wealth it holds

But in the absenceof poverty and, equal opportunity for us all.”

Rose Hudson-Wilkin - Bishop of Dover and Bishop in Canterbury - “they are here because we were there.”

The work of city missions is both hands on and spiritual - a holistic ministry.  Excellent!

Do something for the lowest of the low, the Untouchables in India, rough sleepers in the UK, the voiceless and you are doing it to the Jesus Christ of the Gospels - my Lord, my Inspiration, my Hero.

from Cockburn Association

Tim –

Thanks for your message.  There is much research out there on this subject.  Secondary glazing, properly fitted, will provide almost the same benefits as double glazing and there are many products that can easily be retrofitted into historic buildings successfully.  Indeed, in some instances (and always subject to the local planning offices’ advice) may not need listed building consent as they are completely reversable and may even be installed by a competent DIY-er. Installing double-glazing as a form of secondary glazing is not something I’ve seen done here although “twinning” is done in some arctic areas.

 

The starting point is always ensure proper maintenance and draughtproofing of existing windows, which can be done for a third of the cost of retrofitting double-glazing.  A poorly fitted window regardless of glazing type will always cause problems.

 

All the main state agencies have very comprehensive guidance on the subject.

Terry                 Terry Levinthal director@cockburnassociation.org.uk

to Dewi and Daniel of Savills Property Management

Dear Dewi and Daniel

Thank you for all this excellent news that was so good to read.  Well done.  However, I am sure you could afford three standard, native trees to complement my own, nearby landscape enhancement scheme.  I'm suggesting, please, the three trees to go alongside the post and rail fence where I have one silver birch and one oak.  There's a section of missing fencing to give a broken gap of a few metres.

I'm now an old man and need help, please for a professional job to be done, this time, in October or November.  I will undertake to do weekly Sunday watering next spring/summer using water from the canal - as I have done in the past with my own plants, until the three trees are established.

Could I please show you my own vertical guerrilla garden for your approval, hopefully?  I can do any day except Tuesdays.  You need to see it for me to hear what you think.  I welcome feedback and even critical comments.  Could you do something similar at the cinema end of the iron wall, perhaps?  Ivy is a cheap and very successful climber up the iron wall without needing netting or support.

In addition, management of my vertical guerrilla garden will need, one day on my death, to be done by Mitie or other estate manager  - PLEASE!  Therefore, tell me honestly what you think of my planting scheme, now before my demise!

The Black Country Urban Forest was started by the four councils in the 1990s, I believe but, soon faded and never finished.  You have sites on your land that you manage for Sovereign Centros that would be ideal for woodland to give nature a helping hand to fight back, as we concrete, brick and tarmac over ever more of our land.  A rather humanised landscape, as I recall from school Geography!

Best wishes

Tim

to Mal Drury-Rose

Dear Mal Drury-Rose

Welcome to your new post.

Malcolm Holmes knew of me and even met me on one occasion in a half hour session with him and Andy Street, last decade.  However, it made not a scrap of difference.  For the second time, next year, I hope to stand as an Independent candidate in the Mayoral election but, my £5,000 deposit will go, again, to international humanitarian causes and NOT to HMG.  This, simply to be invited to election hustings in an attempt to highlight climate and resource concerns where almost total inaction of the right kind, by you all, is bringing about what Sir David Attenborough said in December 2018 at the COP of that year when he spoke "of the collapse of civilizations, the extinction of much of the natural world and time is running out" warnings.

I would urge you to please read the emails I sent to Malcolm over his time in your post and to tell me, please, what you think.  I was given your name by an officer at the Transport Delivery Overview and Scrutiny Committee yesterday afternoon.  I attend WMCA committee meetings as a member of the public to lobby for commuter and regional trains to return to our remaining railway lines that have not yet been destroyed by, mainly, buildings of all descriptions, roads and, two mainline railways turned into tramways.  However, about 100 Kms remain as mothballed or freight only railway lines.

I am asking, now for you to please resurrect the proposal from last decade, when the tocs were out to win contracts to operate, for Snow Hill/Jewellery line commuter trains to meet trams at Flood Street/Cinder Bank in Dudley by reversing out of Stourbridge Jct Station on the 120 Kms Black Country principal mainline railway between Worcester, Dudley, Walsall, Lichfield and Derby. They then use the freight line through Round Oak to Flood St or to Cinder Bank roundabout tram stop. The tram would have to be extended to that roundabout on the principal mainline railway "of national strategic significance".

 "of national strategic significance".pdf

This would avoid spending over £300 million for WBHE Phase 2, to destroy more of the railway "of national strategic significance" as well as nature, housing land, public open space and my vertical guerrilla garden at Merry Hill Shopping Centre.  I would welcome the opportunity to take you on my one hour tour of the planned destruction and to show you the remains of the last transport tragedy the place has seen.  I can make any day and any time except Tuesdays when I'm on grandad duties.

Please refer to this very important Railfuture map from 2003, where absolutely nothing has changed for the better:

 Railfuture's full map.pdf

A reminder of the Nolan Principles, here:

 How the Nolan Principles are applied by the WMCA

Is my suggestion to save £300 million, above, feasible?  I believe, WBHE Phase 1 is expected to be £400 million.  Has Network Rail contributed to the work on Parkhead Viaduct when they plan to use it for freight trains only, later this century?

The money saved to go for Fare-Free Public Transport in the region for everyone.  I have had it for over 15 years.  Why only my age group?  I did not write this but it got the approval of all of us:

 Nine Action Points from W Mids Climate Coalitio...

Best wishes

10 questions for Mike Rouse and Simon Geraghty

My questions to Mike Rouse and Simon Geraghty but to everyone present on Thursday 14 September at 1000 hrs - 3 minutes to read out:-

1. In my recent emails to you, have you read a single one because there has not been a reply from either Mike or Simon?
2. Do you actually believe Attenborough's dire warnings about the runaway greenhouse effect?  He talked of:-
   "the collapse of civilisations", the "extinction of much of the natural world" and "time is running out" warnings (Dec 2018 at COP 24)?
3. What are your personal reasons, Mike and Simon, as leaders of this council, acting in ways to deny climate science and to deny that burning of fossil fuels is dangerously enhancing the natural greenhouse effect?
4. As important non-constituent members of the West Midlands Combined Authority, why have you failed to challenge your colleagues over destroying about 100 Kms of railway lines, including your very own 120 Kms Worcester, Kidderminster, Stourbridge, Dudley to Derby railway "of national strategic significance"?
5. How did this come about that you have shown no interest whatsoever in restoring passenger and freight trains to one of only two north-south railways west of Birmingham and, that goes through your county town?
6. Why have you failed to act to replace the slum disgrace and joke of a bus station at Kidderminster while being fully aware that your fellow councillors, up the unfinished mainline railway, were splashing out on putting the most expensive form of public transport after High Scam 2 on the Worcester, Black Country, Derby railway?
7. Were you aware that hundreds of millions of pounds have been spent on replacing buses and trains with wealth flaunting, glitzy, glamorous trams?  Did you know that only 23 Kms have been built in 42 years, with 18 of those 23 Kms on the first mainline railway destroyed?
8. How do you explain, if only to yourselves, that you have subsidised and cosseted motorists while forgetting and failing in your duties towards the "households outside of London where 16.7% don't have a car.12 Dec 2022"  (Wikipedia) and have to use buses and trains?
9. Have either of you ever been to Kiddi bus station and seen the broken roof panels with rainwater dripping on your heads if you stood in the wrong place?
10. And when did either of you actually travel by bus?  Did you know it was national 'Catch a Bus Month', this month?  When did you last try bus travel?

Tim Weller

Time to debate/vote over Metro expansion

Dear friends

This email from Mark calling on FoE members to attend the committee meeting on Thursday at 6 pm is brilliant.  Please attend and have your say, as I hope I will be allowed to.

However, I am very concerned that all of you who fully understand the dangers we are all in from climate breakdown, resource shortages and pursuing lifestyles in defiance of respecting and living in harmony with nature and her life support systems, are failing to oppose the idiocy of expanding multi-modal public transport.  Coming up, below are my reasons for opposing light rail trams (LR), very light rail trams (VLR) but fully supporting ultra light rail trams (ULR or Stourbridge Shuttle) on the world's shortest (1.8 Kms) branch line - that I helped to get, incidentally, with my letter writing, followed by emails, in the 1980/90s - and by supporting John Parry.

• In my opinion, there is not a shadow of a doubt that both main mayoral candidates (one of whom will win) are far too weak to stop the roll out of eight more tram lines over 150 miles with 380 tram stops over the next twenty years and costing £15 BILLION (Jan 2020 figure when it was announced by Andy Street's team).
• Since 1981, when it all started, hundreds of millions of pounds in both price and weight of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions have been squandered on replacing perfectly good buses and trains with trams.  A paltry 23 Kms in 42 years of effort!
• Those buses and trains should have been electrified but, instead this mad, mad world we live in went for rebuilding the tram network (obliterated only 20 years previously) on what was left of the destroyed railway network, to also destroy even more of that!
• Hence, the UK's very last mothballed but virtually ready built, principal mainline railway "of national strategic significance"
   "of national strategic significance".pdf
   has gone for ever because nearly everyone wanted the 11 Kms Dudley Tram to rush Sandwell and Dudley residents on the former mainline railway to Merry Hill to shop.
• All they had to do was to give us electric buses between Dudley town centre and Merry Heaven.  From its opening, there has always been diesel buses between the two bus stations.  All they had to do was to make them electric and not to bother with the highly expensive, in climate/resources and price, railway tracks for the flash "bus on rails" to run on!
• Just because something is public transport - like constructing then going on High Scam 2 and flying - does not make it sensible or right in the light of our totally unsustainable lifestyles.  How we all adore speed instead of sense, choosing style over substance and vanity of vanities!
• Under the Victorians, tramways were turned into railways.  In our so,so sophisticated, modern, highly intelligent age, we turn our railways into tramways.  We're just too clever by half!

Such is the seriousness of our plight and the accelerated worsening of our predicament from tram expansion, for the first time ever in any of the seven councils since 1981, there should be a discussion, debate, vote amongst the full elected members of the Climate Change Select Committee over this suggestion.  Edinburgh City Council did so, twice (opposed by the Conservative Group because "the money could be better spent") before building their two tramways.

As was wanted by one train operating company (toc) when all the contracts were up for grabs last decade, Jewellery line trains from the two Brum stations must reverse out of Stourbridge Junction station to use the Black Country freight line to meet the trams at Cinder Bank roundabout where the tramway must end.  An electric bus can take passengers from Brierley Hill transport interchange on the railway into Merry Hill.  For 100 years the Victorians and Edwardians ran passengers and goods trains on the same lines.

MAP to help you see what I mean:

 Railfuture's full map.pdf

I will send this suggestion to the committee members and to the two Cabinet members who attend as observers.  But do any of you have any doubts over this idea, please?  Or, does anyone like it?  And these nine action points from the W Mids Climate Coalition that was none of my doing but I so like.  What do you think?:

 Nine Action Points from W Mids Climate Coalitio...

See you on Thursday

Affordable housing

"Affordable housing is housing which is deemed affordable to those with a household income at or below the median as rated by the national government or a local government by a recognized housing affordability index."  Wikipedia

A crisis of affordability

Commentators increasingly refer to a crisis of affordability in England. In the foreword to the June 2017 IPPR report, What more can be done to build the homes we need?, Sir Michael Lyons said: “We would stress that it is not just the number built but also the balance of tenures and affordability which need to be thought through for an effective housing strategy.”

Home ownership has been difficult to access in recent years, particularly for first-time buyers, while access to social housing is constrained by limited supply. The private rented sector has benefited, it now houses more households than the social rented sector. Private sector rent levels in high pressure areas have increased in response to demand. ...

Historically, homes for social rent (with rents at around 50-60% of market rents) and affordable home ownership have been the main source of new affordable housing. The introduction in 2011 of social sector units with rents of up to 80% of market rents has, in the view of some commentators, undermined the ability of even the social sector to supply housing that is truly affordable. 

https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-7747/

"expected additional capacity"

You wrote, "Transport chiefs plan to use the expected additional capacity created by passengers moving onto HS2 to improve local and regional services between Birmingham and Rugby."

FROM:  https://www.business-live.co.uk/economic-development/plans-long-term-rail-improvements-27648499?utm_source=businesslive_newsletter&utm_campaign=west_midlands_newsletter2&utm_medium=email

The "expected additional capacity" simply means more space, more choice of where to sit, on the intercity trains for passengers not going to London or Brum Airport.  They cannot use HS2 because it is too fast to stop at Rugby, Coventry and Birmingham International stations.  In fact, won't HS2 mean fewer intercity trains because London and Brum Airport passengers are expected to use HS2?  Or, the present intercity trains might have more stations to stop at so the intercity service becomes slower?  Certainly, a second class provision with HS2 being the main, most important intercity service in England.

Please put me right, Tamlyn.

Andy is being disengenuous, to put it mildly!

Dear Helen and Sarah

FINE WORDS, in blue, BUT EMPTY, VACUOUS, MISLEADING NONSENSE.  This is simply not good enough, Helen:-

"Since the first strategy was published five years ago, we’ve made tangible (tiny) progress, drawing in more than £200 million in funding for new and redeveloped stations"  Andy Street.  Self: Only 7 tram stops (NOT stations) have ever been delivered, by Andy, my friend - since 1999!  Your wrong, stupid priority.  All 6 stations STILL not delivered!  And Tettenhall station, due for re-opening, is now a cafe on the UK's august, one and only, 25 Kms Black Country Cycle-Walk Mudway and can never have trains or even your beloved TRAMS back.  Yet, Tettenhall station is another to be reopened according to your incompetent officers and members of the West Midlands Comedy Authority!!

BLUE QUOTE FROM    https://www.business-live.co.uk/economic-development/plans-long-term-rail-improvements-27648499?utm_source=businesslive_newsletter&utm_campaign=west_midlands_newsletter2&utm_medium=email

Please ask Andy how, exactly, the £200 m has been spent, when not a single new train station or railway line has reopened in the six years (and much longer - actually, since 1998) since he became Mayor in 2017.  Even the short Metro extensions opened in 2016 (1 Km) and 2023 (2 Kms) were both started before he was elected.  However, he IS responsible for the work started in 2019 to destroy the UK's last, supposedly safeguarded, principal mainline railway and to turn it, eventually by 2100, into the world's first 120 Kms train-tram-train railway between Worcester, the Black Country and Derby.  By next year, 5.5 Kms will have trams running on it.  It will then be a train-freight only-test track-Metro tram-fresh air-cycle/walkway-train railway.  Wot a joke!

What, exactly is this tangible progress?  Is it not all plain dishonest, exaggerated spin, to deceive the gullible public?

Probity, integrity and competence are all sadly lacking in the fine but empty words from dear, so likeable, Andy.  And his 2021 independent review into Metro is still not published.  An all round shocking performance.

WHERE IS THE PROOF I AM WRONG?  I wish I was.  The Green Party supposed 'opposition' in Solihull is also truly dire and a total waste of even a waste bin

Savills' Kyle Wright at Merry Hill

Hi Kyle

You are brilliant in talking to me but can there now be some action - please!

National news yesterday was both good and bad about our warming planet that is both burning and seeing melting ice.  We can help ourselves by massive restraint from burning up yet more fossil fuels and from mass planting of both shrubs and trees to sequester/capture carbon dioxide.

Since the 1990s, at Merry Hill, with the knowledge and passive permission of the many owners, I have been enhancing the landscaping on that north facing iron wall of rusty metal sheet piling to the left of the Scots Pine plantation.  This time, I would like yourselves, Savills, to please plant three standard trees, professionally on the post and rail fence that I don't think will be touched by the tramway double track viaduct that is planned to soar over my vertical guerrilla garden.  The location is where I have planted watered and tended to my silver birch and the oak above the road called 'Embankment'.

Can we please meet for me to show you exactly where the three trees might go?  October and November are the two best months for tree planting to give them the best chance to take off and thrive.

I can make any day and any time except Tuesdays when I'm on grandad duties.

Challenging Andy saying that DfT approved the Metro trams

Dear Helen and Sarah

Thank you for yesterday's email.

It is disagreement in policy, as you wrote, Helen.  However, it is that policy that has been founded on so much weird and wonderful English eccentric logic and wishful thinking that it amounts to incompetence over these forty years. Even from the 1950s when the first tram network was obliterated, followed by far too many railway lines wiped out. It continues to this day with the DfT's and Network Rail's last railway "of national strategic significance" being turned into, at best eventually, the world's very first principal, mainline intercity train-tram-train railway between Derby, Dudley and Devon.

My questioning on Radio WM of Andy Street on the 25 July may have sounded as though Andy was correcting me and I was all over the place!  However, the material below shows another side to the matter.  Andy is a lovely man but does rather like to put a good gloss on everything.  He is always so cheerfully optimistic and pleasant, as though not the slightest thing has gone wrong.  But they have, as I have shown.  He is obsessed with trams and is not prepared to admit to the problems journalist Peter Madeley uncovered over a shortfall in funding for three major transport projects in 2022.  Andy was not open and honest, as I invited him to be on the 25 July.  As a result, he misled the listening public, as I wrote in my previous email.  This is a disciplinary matter and should be followed up, please.  Again, as with Cllr Mike Bird, as a conversation between the two of you.  No more formal than that, please Helen.

The BBC recording of what was said may still be available if you act quickly.  My own partial transcript is correct, however.

In addition, even more importantly, I really should be allowed to see the evidence for Andy's assertion in the interview that the DfT had given the green light for the mainline railway being turned into a tramway.  I have asked for the evidence in an FoI request but I have heard nothing.  My own evidence is that they have not, as here:

 "of national strategic significance".pdf

Can I please see the proof?

Many thanks for your help, Helen.

INSIST PUBLIC FORUM BEGINS THE MEETING, PLEASE. AND ATTEND ON 14th!

Don't stand for it - have your say to ban glyphosate, for line of sight mowing only, Daniels Land properly protected from housing and High Plateau used instead.  Link Stourbridge Jct train station to the tram in Dudley town.  And, for Fare-Free Public Transport (I've had it for 15.5 years!)  for everyone throughout the region - to entice instead of enrage motorists.  Use the £15 billions going into 150 miles, 8 lines and 380 tram stops for tram extensions.  The £15 BILLION of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (Jan 2020 figure) must be used to fight climate catastrophe, resource shortages and fast deteriorating life support systems.  Not to make them all worse!  Use fast diminishing oil and gas reserves to help the emergency!

Press release on Metro expansion

"West Midlands Metro has said it would expand in the future to serve more than 80 tram stops, connect 20 transport interchanges and link Wolverhampton, Birmingham, Dudley, Birmingham Airport, the NEC and HS2.

On Wednesday, Mr Street signed a UK steel charter certificate to support the West Midlands and UK-based steel industry.

West Midlands Combined Authority said in signing the agreement, it was making a commitment to buying UK-made steel for its future construction projects wherever feasible.  

Marcegaglia UK has just refurbished its Oldbury production base and is undertaking a £32m investment programme.

Up to 70 new jobs have been projected in the West Midlands region, on top of the 175 the company already employs".

FROM

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-66716908

to Gerald re High Scam 2 and foolish, immoral Metro

It was brilliant to hear from you, Gerald.  Thanks so much for your support and for saying so.  A great encouragement.

Please "identify the critical (M25) paragraph in the SACTRA report for you and also detail the 3 examples provided by Gössling".  I would very much like to read it.

We seem to be understanding that we cannot forever go on building motorways to get out of road traffic congestion, so now we have hard shoulder running and High Scam 2 that goes so fast it can only stop at three terminal stations, two airports and some trains will divert to stop in Brum and Crewe.  Therefore, it is totally pointless and a scandalous waste of public money in giving the few the choice of either flying through the air in a plane or on land in a train that only a tiny minority of the population will ever use.  All the intercity trains must remain.  The capacity argument is a lie because the High Scam train cannot possibly give the rest of us more trains and more services on the regular railway network.

Similarly, spending many hundreds of millions of pounds in price and in weight of greenhouse gas emissions to replace and duplicate buses and trains that need upgrading for highly expensive to construct trams is worsening all our problems and accelerating climate/resource catastrophe.  All the highly glitz and glamorous, prestigious projects like Metro, the Commonwealth Games, three times reconstruction of Centenary Sq and Victoria Sq are all indicative of wrong spending that has now helped to make Brum broke.

Nothing is cast in stone; not even, unfortunately, our life support systems

Hi Carol

Thanks so much for this.

You wrote, "He said money is allocated ring fenced for proposals made and as a result it can’t be changed once agreed by Government."  Of course it can.  All you members DO have the power to go back to the government to explain why the agreement must be changed to something more sensible, responsible and constructive.  You are in charge and are ultimately responsible - and not the officers.

You wrote, "advocating for changing proposals that have already got funding".  WBHE has not got funding.  The foolish scheme is way over budget by 45%.  WBHE was budgeted to cost £449 m.  It has now gone up to £650 m - a 45% rise.  This is why all work was suspended beyond Flood Street, Dudley and work was divided into two phases in the spring or early summer of 2022, over 12 months ago.  In the mid 1990s, leader of Dudley Council, in all seriousness, told me that WBHE would be open by the year 2000, 23 years ago!!!  They have been disobeying the Act of Parliament giving them consent to build for decades, just like High Scam 2, that started in 2009, will not be completed for many decades.  What Parliament decrees is ignored in the light of fast changing circumstances, like climate, finance and resource shortages.

You wrote, "But coming up with suggestions for future improvements, that can be proposed for future funding is a good use of your knowledge and time. It might inform future proposals for projects that might win funding from the Government."  But by then, Carol, the damage will be done and can never be undone!  Even with the WBHE Phase 1 opening in 2024, there is still time to save most of the 120 Kms Black Country Railway for, certainly, some passenger trains, but now having to link in with the trams.  But even that is NOT the proposal, such is the incompetence and idiocy at 16 Summer Lane.

In addition, you have all had three devolution deals with money from HMG to spend exactly how you want and had asked for.

You wrote, "The need for the Metro to make a profit is the decision that has been made by the 7 local authorities, so is not likely to be changed. SELF: Metro has never made a profit and will always have to be subsidised.  Just like the railways.  Buses make a profit on well used urban routes.  Financial pressures always bring about changes, as I have explained.  How that is achieved with a reduced budget is a discussion point. Re use of railway lines rather than build new etc. I am not on the Metro committee so don’t really know, but common sense should dictate that when money is short, getting  best value for money should be essential."  But Carol, you are on the Metro committee and must ask challenging, searching questions for Metro extensions to be stopped and Fare-Free Public Transport throughout the region to be given to everyone - and not just ME!

I am sure I am right in saying that just because there is an Act of Parliament saying that High Scam 2 can be built, it does not mean all of it will be built.  They are no longer building the full eastern arm to Leeds even though the Act says they can.  Today's financial, climate and resource realities always trump laws passed many years ago.  The section from Brum to Crewe has been paused for two years.  The Act says they can build it but not MUST build, regardless of fast changing circumstances and in the light of new information.

Similarly, with Metro.  The Transport and Works Act has given them the Order to build it but changed circumstances does not mean that they have to go ahead with it.  The TfWM/WMCA  is allowed to think again and change their mind.  Nothing is cast in stone and must never be changed.  Even the world's climates!

Please check, question, challenge what I have written here with the authorities and tell me how they are advising you, Carol.  I might well be the one who is entirely out of my mind - and not you youngsters, at all.  Do tell me!

All the very best

Tim    Please try my quiz:

PS bonus to amuse and inform​

 Multi-choice answers for this fun quiz

​​continued on​

 QUIZ: Select 5 given answers to 5 questions

​

FROM THE INTERNET:

"An order made under the Transport and Works Act 1992 (the TWA) is the usual way of authorising schemes mainly for new railways or tramways in England and Wales.  Nationally significant rail schemes in England, however, require development consent under the Planning Act 2008."

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/transport-and-works-act-orders-a-brief-guide-2006/transport-and-works-act-orders-a-brief-guide--2

A Transport and Work Act Order (TWA) is a statutory instrument made under the Transport and Works Act 1992 to authorise the construction and operation of new transport infrastructure projects, such as railways, tramways, other guided transport systems, inland waterways

Praise for Greta and Chris Packham

Please don't think the worst of me by thinking that I am trying to be sarcastic or offensive or clever.  Think the best of others, as I do and not the worst, please!

THANK YOU so much for saying, " the content of this message is very good, despite being rather long and more wordy than it probably needs to be."  That is real encouragement and wonderful coming from your good self.  This email is very much longer!

I go out of my way to support and encourage when I think people are doing and saying the right things but will explain if, in my opinion, they are mistaken.  For example, the scandal I have exposed for decades over transport destruction from foolish/stupid priorities by the authorities, that continues to this day.  "Full steam ahead" said cheerfully optimistic but very misleading Mayor Andy to me on the 25 July on Radio WM, over the coming destruction of all my handiwork at Merry Hill!

I genuinely and honestly believe that Greta behaves like a saint and is outstandingly brilliant, as I am trying to be in following her amazing example in reducing my hypocrisy quotient to the minimum and setting a fine example, I think, all my life!  From my email and from all I have written for decades and actually done for decades, how on earth, Pam could you possibly think I was criticising Greta or being sarcastic in calling her a saint?!

Greta Thunberg and Chris Packham are outstanding examples of sustainable and green living.  They are the personification of how we should all be living in treading more lightly on the planet and urgently minimising our personal greenhouse gas emissions.  Just as I am doing in so many practical ways, as I wrote in my email.  If I can do it, why can't others?  Both Greta and Chris do.  They are my personal heroes, are saints and are an inspiration to me.  I am also trying to set a good example to you all in my personal life and trying to be moral in my political life, too.  Politics is about morality.

I was setting a good example to you, Pam, in planting that oak tree a few metres from your home.  I was hoping that you might have helped me by watering it.  I didn't think I had to actually ask you - or did I ask you?  I watered it in the early days but it died because I was attending to some of my other 1,000 shrubs and trees I must have planted in my long life as the major part of my guerrilla gardening activities.  Many remain thriving at Merry Heaven and at Frankley Services northbound and elsewhere.  However, that one oak that died may have inspired you to go and do likewise, Pam.  It may have been the acorn to inspire Dudley Council to plant those four trees on your roundabout.  And, I've had my failures with my plantings, Pam.  I am not perfect and many of my shrubs and trees have died, despite my best endeavours!  But did you help me with watering the oak I planted?

Thank you for your previous email, too that I will respond to now.  You said you are 76 years old and, after forty years of GP activism, you were slowing down and supporting the younger members.  I am 75 and a half and will never give up the battle to personally try and leave healthier and more sustainable life support systems for future generations to have.

In the 1992 and 1997 General Elections, Joyce Millington (living literally round the corner from you, at 164 Shenstone Avenue) and I were battling away as virtually the only GP activists in Dudley GP - with Danny Blyth from time to time.  Presumably, you weren't living in Dudley at that time, Pam or, of course you would have helped us.  It was brilliant Joyce who paid my £500 deposit, too on one occasion.  Perhaps, on both, I'm not sure.

You wrote, "And you must be aware that transport is one of the key issues for the Green Party – one among many I have to say. But sadly one person on their own isn’t likely to achieve the kind of changes that you suggest."  Not one member of the GP, as far as I am aware, has ever written one email or made one phone call or sent one text in my support, in my many different campaigns over the decades.  Matters that should be blindingly obvious, too for good greens like ourselves, Pam!  Over immoral Metro, Netherton Green councillor Bill did say he agreed with me, as did Andi Mohr but neither, I think, actually did anything to show their support for me.  The whole party, including my very long standing friend, Peter Beck in Brum GP, isolated me by refusing to help!  Hence, I have never rejoined the Green Party - and I do remain feeling very let down, even betrayed, I'm afraid by the very people who should have been on my side.  I get more interest from Labour, Tory and our new, one LibDem councillor, Ryan.  Ryan even answered my silly quiz (see below), the brilliant guy!  My wife, too, did the quiz - fantastic!  Will you, please Pam?

You wrote, "I have tried to advise you before to become part of a bigger organisation because you on your own will never achieve what you want."

Not one bigger (or smaller) organisation has ever once agreed or supported me, Pam.  Including your good self.  So why should I join an organisation actually fighting against me, like the Green Party?

You wrote, "... personally I can do very little"  Please read this in the hope that it might encourage you:

 I have succeeded and failed by going into the c...

You ended your email by saying, "Please, don’t ask me about this again."

When you stand as a candidate in an election, Pam you must expect members of the public, like me, to ask you questions about where you stand on certain issues.  I wrote, individually, to every single candidate in Dudley.  When I stood over the decades as a Green or, more recently, as an Independent candidate I always replied with my answers when the very few electors did write to me asking where I stood on various issues.  At least you and Andi did write - eventually but gave no answers to my specific questions - hopeless!  However, very many thanks for that - to both of you!

Very best wishes.  And keep up all your green endeavours, Pam.  And, by the way, no one owned up to being a member or supporter of the GP, when someone asked at the well attended photo shoot in Mary Stevens Park on Saturday 12 August.  The purpose was to protest about Dudley's glyphosate spraying.  Ed Davies (also a former GP member) suggested me but I hurriedly pointed out I had resigned from the GP in the 2000s.  We met for that photo shoot in your own town, Pam too but you were not there or Andi or anyone else, it seems from Dudley Green Party!  Presumably, you knew nothing about it.  I had cycled over from Halesowen to support our brilliant new councillors, Andrew Tromans and Cat Eccles who are leading the anti-glyphosate campaign in the Climate Change Select Committee of the council.

Living carelessly, infinitely on a finite planet; unnaturally on a natural planet

WE NEED OIL AND GAS AS MUCH AS WE NEED WATER

All three are becoming exhausted as we live as if all three cannot possibly run out.  We live as if they are infinite.

Without any one out of oil, gas, water - we are well and truly done for.

Can we mine fresh water in snow and ice before it all melts and becomes salty sea water?

FIEND OR FRIEND OF THE EARTH?

Dear Chris and fiends/friends

On the eve of 'Catch a Bus Month', one Zoom attender at last night's meeting of FoE Midlands region told us that he had had to give up the bus and take to using his car because of pressure on his finances.  My thoughts are these:

1. Buying and running a car is much more expensive than using public transport/regular bike, even if you are too young to get free travel and have to pay.
2. I am a life member of national FoE since the 1980s and, in the 80s and 90s in the week, I used to merrily turn up in my car at the Warehouse in Allison Street and park up, without a pang of conscience.
3. This outrageous behaviour of mine I justified by saying I was an essential car user because I was a full-time Brum social worker and had to have a car to do my job.
4. From January 1995, when I bought my first mountain bike, I started cycling and using the car less and less to zero use.  I got paid 15p/mile on official council business when using the 100% food fueled bike.
5. By the time I retired in July 2013 at 65 and a half, I was cycling for nearly an hour over Romsley Hill to get to my workplace and was being paid 20p/mile to and from social work visits.  Sometimes, a wonderful rural two hour cycle ride home and the unavoidable Clent Hills.
6. Ten years on, I now feel well and truly guilty when using my 2015 diesel car on medium to long journeys only.
7. Since St Greta burst on the world scene, I have been limiting my car mileage to half of what I was doing and driving between 60 and 65 mph in the nearside and middle lane of motorways and only twice a year in an attempt to visit everyone of Scotland's 1,000 big hills over 2,000 feet (but will never be achieved).
8. I now park up further away from the long walk, cycle in to as near to the summit(s) as possible and then start the summit slog.
9. In recent years, I refuse to give lifts to friends into urban centres on hospital visits, saying that they must use taxis (unless an emergency when I obviously will help).
10. When we don't cycle into Brum centre on our 6 miles traffic-free cycleway and towpaths, my wife and I use the bus and enjoy the ride and the view from the top deck.  Never the infernal combustion car.
11. We take the car, loaded with our bikes on holiday but, are pretty good at then cycling once we've arrived at our holiday destination.  This year, we rode the truly superb cycleway, NCR 5 on long parts of the N Wales coast and quiet lanes for cycling in west Oxfordshire.  The car was subservient to the 100% food fueled bikes.  Arriva bus on another day was fun and worked well.
12. Use a folding bike that can be taken on bus and tram.  I've done train/bikepacking in Wales to avoid the car but no folding bike.

CATCH THE BUS, TRAIN, TRAM INCENTIVE to avoid enraging the vociferous and soft in the head car lobby so incensed by LTNs and ULEZ and Brum's CAZ.

My bus/business lane, two year experiment for Hagley road, where there are two lanes in each direction, includes giving the reward of Fare-Free Public Transport to car commuters (AND EVERYONE) who give up their cars for their work to avoid the charge.  The charge, in the six hours of rush hour each weekday, is for motorists who have failed to register and submitted proof that they are essential vehicle users for their work.  Perhaps, it might work on every bus route regardless of two lanes in each direction?  Buses might carry the cameras to fine the unregistered vehicles in the six hours each weekday?

Any feedback, please?

Tim W