Bridget's plot to block Heathrow expansion

Lib Dem campaigner Bridget Fox has taken action to stop Heathrow expansion by becoming a co-owner of a field in the path of the controversial third runway, in partnership with Islington-based Greenpeace. And now she's encouraging other Islington residents to do the same.

Bridget explains, "I'm asking people to join me and become a 'beneficial owner' of the land. The plot is in Sipson village, which will be flattened if the runway goes ahead. Anyone who wants to buy or develop the land will need to contact each one of us, so the more the merrier!"

The Labour Government has now announced that it will go ahead with a third runway, despite huge protests. The Government has not let Parliament decide, and Labour backbenchers have failed to force a vote.

Bridget says, "Expanding Heathrow is bad news for all of us, including Islington. Local people will suffer with increased noise and pollution if the runway is built; and millions of pounds is being diverted into the massive planning process in the meantime. Grafting an airport the size of Gatwick onto Heathrow will generate the same carbon emissions as Kenya. It's madness.

"Instead of wasting money on a white elephant airport, the Government should be listening to the Lib Dems. We're calling for a Green Road out of the Recession, creating lasting jobs in energy efficiency, zero-carbon homes, and modern high-speed rail links."
Greenpeace's Airplot campaign



Islington residents who want to become beneficial owners of the land can sign up free of charge on the Greenpeace website at www.greenpeace.org.

10.25.00am GMT Fri 16th Jan 2009

Heathrow expansion - disaster for Islington and the planet

Local Liberal Democrats have condemned the Government's plans to build a third runway at Heathrow, which will increase noise pollution in North London as well as being a climate change catastrophe.

The airport expansion plans came as a blow to environmental campaigners, as Heathrow's annual CO2 emissions are set to rise by 10 million tonnes a year.

But the Government announcement also came as unwelcome news to Islington residents who have campaigned against the flight paths that bring low flying jet planes over Islington at unsociable hours- particularly between 5 and 7am. Department of Transport maps show that aircraft approaching the new runway will fly over Hampstead and Islington before beginning their descent over Paddington.

Julia Williams, Liberal Democrat councillor for Hillrise ward, commented:

"I'm a light sleeper and have been personally annoyed and woken up by noisy planes flying low overhead, particularly in the early mornings from 5am. Many residents of Islington - from Crouch Hill to Clerkenwell- have told me they've had the same problems. We've collected petitions and written to the Government, who have obviously ignored us.

"The Labour Government's decision is to support whatever the aviation industry asks for, rather than the needs and wishes of ordinary people. It's now very clear whose side Labour are on: it's clear that they've sold out to big business."

Please sign our 'Quiet Skies' petition at:

http://campaigns.libdems.org.uk/IslingtonQuietSkies

The Liberal Democrats have called for investment in new high-speed railway connecting London with Scotland and the north and for more connections between St. Pancras International to German and Dutch railways, instead of more flights into Heathrow Airport.

11.28.00am GMT Tue 20th Jan 2009

The PFI debacle in Camden Social Housing

Five towers on the Chalcots were lucky to be selected for the £150M PFI retrofit 4 year makeover works, or at least the residents had hoped would be the case.

A different story is now slowly emerging that sets the tone of building problems to come over the 15 year PFI contract period.

Click photo left and you will just about be able to see the panels peeling off !

Question: What does a contractor do when faced with an output driven specification to deliver to a quasi "Decent Homes Standard".

You have probably guessed the answer already; build to that standard, especially as it only represents the minimum standards that builders can get away with.

The output specification is met and the client Camden is satisfied.

It now turns out that the cladding system and metal window system which only just meets the thermal insulation levels to pass current building standards is inadequate. As I have reported in previous blogs during the "cold winter snap" levels of condensation on the metal window frames have been unacceptable and black mould fungus has been popping up (mostly on the silicon sealant) everywhere in many of the resident homes during the past months, more are being reported to me every week.

I have started to dig around in the details of the window specifications themselves, it is clear to read that the windows used are the minimum specified by Schüco. That is not to say that the windows are bad but indicates that in the environment for which they have been installed is unsuitable.

All windows are made to a “thermal insulation” standard. A basic solid wood non-insulated frame provides about 1.4W/m2K. Double glazed glass with argon gas is rather better at 1.2W/m2K. (The lower the U value the better the insulation).

However, here is the rub the Schüco window frames installed on the Chalcots are around 3.9 W/m2K which represents a very poor level of thermal insulation. Which when you take into consideration the exposed nature of the “five” towers facing the Primrose Hill, leads to a thermally inefficient design that HAS already presented all the classic signs of high levels of cold bridge condensation on the metal frames.

As important is the increased energy costs to heat these new refurbished buildings, energy is basically going out the window and with it an increased CO2 footprint for Camden. Compared to what could have been achieved with improved insulation provision.

To add double insult to all the residents of the Chalcots, heating cost are set to increase by 13% over the year for Camden housing properties.

One of the key “selling features” that was used to get buy-in from the 717 resident homes was the fact that an energy efficient saving design was put forward.

Also the level of thermal cladding itself is only what has been described to me as a bare minimum, the architects HTA publicly state in press articles that their design concept is “London Borough of Camden is aiming to deliver a 30% cut in CO2 emissions”

When one considers that the original 40 year old buildings with high prevailing winds facing the Primrose Hill with no double glazed windows (using only one single sheet glass) literally losing up to 50% of heat through the old single sheet windows and cold concrete walls. Then 30% reduction represents only a small improvement of energy efficiency in the wider perspective.

Yes it is a welcome improvement but does it represent good value for a £150M PFI project that is the big question still to be answered.

Author: Nigel Rumble 20 January 2009

PassivHaus in Camden

The best part of the "PassivHaus" building concept is that it cost nothing or very little to heat. However, in Camden Social Housing building and development is using a rather more tradional approach of building to "only" the minimum building standards for thermal effiency

Member of Parliament stopped for taking photos

"A MP taking photographs in public has been stopped and searched under Terrorism Act powers.

According to Croydon Guardian, Andrew Pelling, MP for Croydon Central, aroused suspicion when he was taking pictures of a cycle path in his constituency as he was collecting evidence about the problems caused to cyclists by maintenance works.

Despite showing his Commons pass, the MP was questioned and searched by two police officers. They issued him with a stop-and-search notice before letting him go." Source BJP 8 January 2009

I reported on the 9th January about the arrest of photographer Reuben Powell who had been held in detention for almost five hours before being released on the involvement of MP Simon Hughes. The loss of liberty to take photographs is a very serious emerging "social disaster" it is verging on a totalitarian "Orwellian" state. It is clear that as we are in a heightened security world we must exercise caution. The MI5 "Threat levels advisory" states "The current threat level is assessed as SEVERE" (as of 4th July 2007). Does that mean for a member of the public let alone a MP taking photographs of a cycle lane as way of example of a “long-neglected bicycle and pedestrian route” is to be considered a potential act of terrorism, I think not but it must be clear what is and what is not permissible to photograph, especially for the Police who have to enforce the law. The Police are stretched to breaking point as it stands with gun, knife and drug related crimes.

In many countries around the world it is generally not permitted to photograph Airports, Train stations and Government buildings without permission. It would appear that this is a sensible precaution during these dark times, but to extend this to "cycle lanes" is one step too far! The point I make is that there must be "proper guidelines as to what is classified non permissible photography.

I feel that common sense must now prevail, there have been too many cases in past months of innocent people going about their business, such as members of the public, photographers, press and politicians being either stopped or arrested under Section 44 of the Terrorism Act 2000 (see "Liberty" for a legal explanation)

Author: Nigel Rumble

Photographer arrested under Terrorism Act saved by MP Simon Hughes

An artist and photographer was arrested last week in London as he was taking photos of Elephant and Castle. He was deemed an "unnacceptable security risk".

Reuben Powell was taking a photo of a site at Elephant and Castle when three policemen stopped him. He was handcuffed and held at the nearby police station for almost five hours. According to reports, he was released only after a call from MP Simon Hughes, who had been alerted by residents.

Powell has been documenting the evolution of Elephant and Castle for an exhibition in the shopping centre.

"Reuben Powell is an unlikely terrorist, writes The Independent today. This artist has been photographing and drawing life around Elephant & Castle for 25 years. But, last week he was arrested and detained for five hours because his work posed an unacceptable security risk. He was handcuffed and had his genetic material stored permanently on the DNA database."

Source BJP 6 January 2009

Microsoft job cuts: thousands of UK staff at risk

Rumours are spreading on the web that up to 3000 staff at Microsoft UK could face redundancy. Up to 30,000 jobs worldwide could be at risk, as the company battles with the economic crisis, which has led to businesses spending less on software.

Henry Blodget, a blogger on Silicon Alley Insider, responded to the rumours saying, "The only way we could see Microsoft laying off this many people is if the company decided to eliminate business units. And if Microsoft did decide to restructure its business, it would likely sell rather than shut down divisions, including MSN."

According to analyst Datamonitor's "Technology Trends: Analysing Global Enterprise IT Budgets 2008" report, half of businesses will freeze their IT budgets in 2008. This budget freeze could have a big impact on Microsoft, which relies heavily on software sales, as businesses are deferring upgrading to the latest Microsoft products.

The coming year will be important for Microsoft, as it begins a major shift in the way it makes money, away from selling software licences, towards software as a services, based around its Azure cloud computing service.

Microsoft's plans to roll out Azure in Europe could be negatively affected if the rumoured job cuts go ahead.

Source: Computer Weekly - Cliff Saran, 11:08 05 Jan 2009

Marks & Spencer to cut over 1,230 jobs

UPDATE (BBC) M&S to close stores and cut jobs
LONDON, Jan 5 (Reuters) - British retailer Marks & Spencer is set to cut more than 1,000 jobs in stores, its head office and support functions following disastrous Christmas trading, The Times web-site reported on Monday.

The newspaper said the iconic high street chain would announce the cuts on Wednesday, when it is due to release a trading update to the City.

A spokeswoman for M&S declined to comment.

The news comes as retailers across the board are expected by analysts to announce terrible sales figures over Christmas, while some, such as Ireland's Waterford Wedgwood on Monday, have called in receivers. (Reporting by John Bowker, editing by Leslie Gevirtz)

Reuters UK

Weak pound pushes Britain to bottom of wealth league

• UK living standards set to slump
• 43% of small businesses expect to cut jobs in new year

Britain's standards will fall to the lowest level of any major economy in 2009 as recession and the plunging pound take their toll, new research by consultancy Oxford Economics reveals.

As recently as 2007, Britain was at the top of the heap, with GDP per capita - measured at market exchange rates - exceeding that of America for the first time since the Victorian era. Consumers rode a decade-long wave of prosperity, snapping up holiday homes in the Dordogne and bargains at Bloomingdale's store in New York.

But Oxford Economics predicts that in 2009, with sterling expected to weaken further, and the credit crunch rippling out from the City into the real economy, the UK will slip right to the bottom of the league, with GDP per capita of $35,243 (£23,913), compared with $46,373 in the US, and $41,531 in Germany, and beaten too by Italy, Japan and France.

"The UK was at the centre of the global financial boom and this led to a dramatic improvement in its apparent living standards relative to its peers, but the subsequent bust in financial markets has taken a very heavy toll on the UK," said Oxford's director, Adrian Cooper.

Consumers would feel most exposed to the relative fall in their living standards when they travelled abroad, he said, adding "Britons will no longer be among the richest people on the beach".

His gloomy prognosis comes amid mounting evidence that the credit crunch is taking a heavy toll on jobs and industries far beyond the Square Mile. Almost half of small firms are drawing up plans to cut staff in the new year, according to an exclusive survey for the Observer carried out by mobile phone company Orange.

Of more than 300 small business owners and managers polled, 43% said they were expected to lay off workers in the new year, while a third warned that they would 'struggle to cope' with the downturn in 2009.

The impact of the financial crisis on the car industry in the UK is also underlined today by figures released to the Observer by the Finance and Leasing Association, which estimates that, in November, the number of loans issued by the finance arms of car manufacturers or dealership slumped by a quarter compared with last year. The number of loans in October fell by just over a fifth.

As recently as the third quarter of this year, the level of credit extended by car companies and dealerships to consumers had hit a four-year high due to the drying up of availability of other funds traditionally used by consumers to purchase a car - bank loans and savings. The collapse in forecourt finance deals has exacerbated the slump in new car sales. Analysts said the availability of credit to buy cars - which the car industry hopes a government rescue package will address - would remain scarce next year.

Richard Lambert, director general of business body the CBI, warned that UK plc must wait until 2010 to see the green shoots of recovery.

'There is no doubt that 2009 is going to be a very tough year for the economy, and for society as a whole,' he said. 'But there are reasons to hope that by 2010 economic activity is more likely to be expanding than shrinking...'

His sombre assessment reflects a growing consensus that Chancellor Alistair Darling's hopes that his £20bn economic rescue package would kick-start recovery by the middle of next year now look wildly optimistic.

After official figures last Thursday showed the economy contracting by a worse-than-expected 0.6% in the third quarter, analysts have downgraded their forecasts, and postponed the start-date for recovery for two full years.

Published in The Observer Sunday 28 December 2008,Heather Stewart and Tim Webb

High tech products set to increase by 20% on high street

It has been announced by leading Japanese companies yesterday that due to the weakening of the Pound that many imported high tech products will now face a "price increase" of up to 20%.

Could the government have known in advance when reducing the VAT rate to 15%!

Announced in BJP 5/1/09 latest news section quote:

"Nikon, Canon, Sony and Leica are all expected to raise their prices in January as the pound continues to fall in value. Nikon has confirmed to BJP that it is to implement a price increase across its range of imaging and optics products, effective on 12 January. 'The price increase is the result of volatile exchange rate conditions and will continue to be reviewed on a regular basis,' a spokeswoman says. 'All product groups will be affected by the price increase to some degree. A recommended retail price list will be available to view from 12 January online.'

Leica has also told BJP that, as of 01 January 2009, its prices would increase across the board.

Canon and Sony are also said to be looking to raise their prices in the UK and continental Europe as both the Euro and the pound have seen their values decline against the Yen. Canon is expected to increase its prices in its consumer division, which sells digital cameras and printers.

The increases could reach up to 20% for all companies, BJP understands."

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