There aren’t any signs proclaiming that there are new priorities and road changes. Sometimes the police would spend time on a [...]]]> A little while ago, rather than re-educate drivers, cyclists and pedestrians; or enforce existing traffic violations, Camden Council chose to realign a pelican crossing and ban left-turns from Tavistock Place (eastbound) into Marchmont Street.

There aren’t any signs proclaiming that there are new priorities and road changes. Sometimes the police would spend time on a junction like this to help with the education. Not here. For the last few days there has been a little black CCTV car, operated by Camden Council. Don’t accidentally turn left – or you’ll be nabbed.

Euston Square Station gets a special addittion – “Alight here for University College Hospital”.

Isn’t that a little confusing though, when the next stop is called “Universtiy College Hospital”?

Glad I’m paying for only the best with Walker’s crisps.

I listen to/read or otherwise follow the directions, but make [...]]]> The great thing about these new mobile phones is that they can give you live directions to where you’re going. I’ve got several apps suited to walking, cycling and public transport on my ‘phone. I’ve even got one to track how many miles I cycle.

I listen to/read or otherwise follow the directions, but make my own mind up on the actual suitability of the roads I’m using. I know that if I go off track, the device will re-route me, taking into account my new direction.

For poor Utah, USA resident Lauren Rosenberg it was all a bit too much, we hear. In the peak of the January snow-storms she was battling her way across Park City on foot, and following the directions given by Google, on her ‘phone. The Google Maps app directed her to a four-lane road, with no footpath on the sdie of the road she was on.

Rosenberg tried to reach the footpath on the opposite side of the road, but was struck by a car. Apparently it was pitch black outside.

Laura is planning to sue Google for putting her into such a dangerous position. Her laywer, Allen Young, believes that the information on an electronic device is sufficient to trust your life with. Let’s face it, I’d use an iPhone over common sense crossing the road any day of the week. The mobile’s knowledge of oncoming traffic is far more superior to my mere human senses.

This roadsign, in the Morristown area of Swansea, Wales, gives the correct message in English – “No entry for heavy goods vehicles. Residential site only”. Apparently it was to make sure [...]]]> We’ve all done it. Had to send an email to someone and trusted the first response we got back.

This roadsign, in the Morristown area of Swansea, Wales, gives the correct message in English – “No entry for heavy goods vehicles. Residential site only”. Apparently it was to make sure the juggernauts which serve the Asda megastore nearby stopped disturbing the locals.

The road-sign manufacturers emailed the translation department at Swansea council, and the response came back:

“Nid wyf yn y swyddfa ar hyn o bryd. Anfonwch unrhyw waith i’w gyfieith.”
“I am not in the office at the moment. Send any work to be translated.”

Priceless.

Given the track record for project management within my building, and the [...]]]> 2010 sees the building I live in being graciously given a new lift by Camden Council. The original lift dated from 1963, and was not due to be replaced until 2023. Thanks to the local Labour Councillors, that’s been brought forward to 2010.

Given the track record for project management within my building, and the fiasco around the lift to date, I’ve started a twitter feed to document the expected 111 days of hell.

The lowdown – the building I live in is shared between us and a hotel. Premier Inn live on the lower part, we’re on top. Premier Inn have three lifts, we have one, which is out of service for 16 weeks.

Old and disabled people can use the hotel’s lift. The postman apparently can’t. Camden Council and Premier Inn decided that he, and any other utility workers, can take the stairs. Those of us who are below 50 can also climb the stairs. It’s only 170 to get to where I live.

Day One was due to be 8th March, but the project manager didn’t give enough time to let people move out. That start date was put back to 29th March. Yeah, they were going to come in, put hoardings up, then bugger off for Easter.

Work started on 6th April, just as the Prime Minister was announcing the election. The workers switched the lift off, and sat in their van drinking coffee. The elderly and vulnerable hadn’t been given their special privilege cards to access the hotel’s lift, so eventually lift service resumed, albeit briefly, the lift replacement team broke it pretty quickly. Lift engineers? Nah, they couldn’t fix it, they wouldn’t even call a competent engineer. They just buggered off home for the day.

So, it’s probably best that I get it all off my chest rather than let myself get stressed over the incompetence. Maybe I’ll use my twitter for other things too. We’ll see.

Afterwards, Superintendent Andrew Murray, Oxford city commander, told The Guardian:

“The snow has a habit of bringing out the child in all of us. I have spoken to the officers concerned and reminded [...]]]> I’m sure most of us have seen the clip of the Oxfordshire Policeman sliding down the hill on a riot shield…

Afterwards, Superintendent Andrew Murray, Oxford city commander, told The Guardian:

“The snow has a habit of bringing out the child in all of us. I have spoken to the officers concerned and reminded them in no uncertain terms that tobogganing on duty, on police equipment and at taxpayers’ expense, is a very bad idea should they wish to progress under my command.”

Just think for a moment, what are Policemen and women? Last time I checked, they were still human, and not something from Robocop. They still have emotions, and most of all they have riot shields. Who can blame them?

Last year, the Metropolitan Police (not the whole force, just a few of them, but you know what I mean) were filmed sliding down Parliament Hill in London on their riot shields. Much joy, hilarity and mirth ensued.

Fast forward one year, and we’ve learned a valuable lesson. If you want fun and mirth, come to London. If you want robocop, come to Oxford. Equally, if you want a pompous phrase such as “should they wish to progress under my command” – come to Oxford – the home to learning in the UK is such a stuffy place, no?