I agree with Prince Charles’ view that climate change sceptics are the ‘headless chicken brigade’ but is it right that the heir to the throne expresses such strong views in public? He is now doing a joint venture with the Queen on Royal duties, but can one imagine HMQ ever making such public attacks on…
Lord Berkeley
Thames Tideway Tunnel – Prof Binnie demonstrates better and cheaper alternatives to minister
by Lord Berkeley • • 1 Comment
On 16 January, Prof Chris Binnie and I met Lord de Mauley, Minister responsible for the Thames Tideway Tunnel. In a presentation (attached) Prof Binnie demonstrated that a combination of measures which have been shown to work elsewhere is highly likely to meet the requirements of the ECJ judgement and other legislation; the only questions…
The Aggregate Levy and 300 to 500 jobs in Cornwall under threat!
by Lord Berkeley • • 6 Comments
The Aggregate levy was introduced over ten years in order to discourage the use of primary sources of aggregates from deposits beside rivers and quarries and encourage the use of recycled or secondary materials instead. There were and are good environmental reasons for this levy but, of course, the large producers don’t like it and…
Getting to the Isles of Scilly – an expensive and unreliable monopoly!
by Lord Berkeley • • 2 Comments
Sitting in the brand new terminal building at Land’s End Airport, Gateway to the Scilly Isles, on 28 December makes one reflect on the poor service provided by the monopoly air and sea transport company, the Isles of Scilly Steamship Company. There is no passenger sea ferry at this time of year, except for the…
European Parliament Rail Rapporteur criticises state railways
by Lord Berkeley • • 1 Comment
Said El Khadouri, Rapporteur for the governance section of the 4th Railways Package, had this to say to the Community of European Railways, the association of the incumbents, who are still opposing any liberalisation or completion: ‘Dear Libor, Thanks for your kind message. However, so far it’s up to the elected Members, the political Groups…