Clive's Posts

@Lynne - the 'let's look at the alternative/additional options' scenario I wonder, is the belief that it keeps SW MPs happy per see, or that it keeps the MPs happy because they in turn then believe that they are then empowered to pass on the charade to keep their constituents happy? I suspect that NR would genuinely love to have a hassle free shiny new line (why wouldn't they like operational ...

And I completely understand the absolute necessity of Dawlish keeping its station.  Devon is littered with resorts that never recovered from losing their station, Ilfracombe being perhaps the best example.

@FredBassett ...speaking with one voice is perfectly possible with no losers if the sw backs oke-tavy...although this isn't the true engineering solution, it is the most affordable, least disruptive and could be done in a fraction of the time of a fast dal.  also changes nothing about committment to the devon riviera line.  should ideally include a 'north of cowley chord' (if the cowley bridge ...

...and very well deserving it is too.  However, just a little bit of my cynicism tells me...keep piling on the praise of how quick and well it was all done and we will have made at least half a case to commit to nothing major this side of the election.

Not everyone in London gets 'stupid wages', particularly professional engineers (and I don't mean plumbers etc who do very nicely thank you). Professional engineers don't get a penny more than anywhere else in the country, so are actually far worse off in London, assuming they even have a job!! As for the NHS, it may not be a perfect solution, but is still far more equitable than the alternative ...

25million tonnes of sand, or a million 25tonne lorry loads - that really is quite something - I wonder what King Canute would have to say

Furthermore, it would be hypocritical for us to say 'well done Angelina Jolie' for the world conference about stopping violence against women while giving succour to it under the guise of 'freedom of speech' in our own back garden. I repeat - WEBMASTER THIS THREAD ABSOLUTELY MUST BE TAKEN DOWN NOW.

Frankly, it seems to me that Dawlish police need to get a grip. On another thread (that one that read like a toilet wall) about holligan self appointed vigilanties and misogynists, the impression was given in recent comments that it was all a thing of the distant past. Now I am reading that fun family events are getting cancelled due to a failure to ensure law and order. So which is it Dawlish, ...

Is it simply the case that the police don't have the budget and numbers to police properly anymore? Hence, is the only realistic option left open to them to make a case to simply stop the event at source one way or another?

Truely appalling - many condolences - should give us all pause for thought.

This path raising is nothing more than 'best quick fix' (or 'low hanging fruit' as it gets called these days) to make the wall consistent with how it should have been built on day 1, and to give Dawlish some sort of fighting chance of last winter's collapse not being repeated. Nevertheless, it will be very interesting indeed to see how much debate is generated once the proper long term marine ...

@Mrs C - well said, the only thing that really matters is the seriously injured lady. The other dispicable act in this sad story is the 'waiting to turn right driver' who made off and is being looked for by the police. A few years ago, I got rammed from behind by a pick-up truck while stationary, boot caved in and fuel tank ruptured. Luckily only got very minor whip-lash (which no I didn't claim ...

@Mrs C - my point is: - Am very pro cycling and cyclists in general for all the good health and environmental advantages it profers one and all, and am very well aware that ultimately (whoever may be at fault) it is motorists who kill cyclists not the other way around. - However, if cyclists wish to be supported by capital investment in dedicated routes then they ALL need to pay heed to the ...

These days people do like to read trade reviews (checkatrade) or ask a friend for a recommendation better still.  If you want business you have to have at least one of these types of strands in you favour.  Having said that, in spite of all my best efforts at getting a good trader, they will always be minded to put too little cement in the concrete or source dirt cheap materials, as if it's their ...

Good luck trying to save it, but I wouldn't put my fiver on it, it's all just a numbers game for someone 'on high'. Solution is simple - There is only one language the banks understand - Loss of busniness through accounts being closed. Don't grumble, would suggest everyone simply switches to the one that actually sees fit to retain a local branch otherwise you will end up losing that one as well. ...

Maybe this wasn't someone 'arson around' either?  Has there been a definitive statement from the fire brigade yet?

@Lynne & roberta - absolutely don't want uncertainty blighting new housing. I think we can be fairly sure that a west of DAL will be 'an option' in the report.  Luckily we only have a few weeks to wait now until finding out how it's cost/benefit is ranked by NR as an option.  I will reserve further comment until then!

Absolutely, it means we have a tolerant, democratic society in which such harmless freedoms can be openly expressed. That is exactly why Putin was so incensed, freedom of speech is his biggest enemy and makes him feel vulnerable.

If you do the maths, UKIP's vote as a share of the voting population was: 34% (voting population who cast papers) * 27.5% (UKIP) = 9.35% i.e. Less than 10% actually felt strongly enough against the EU to register a 'protest vote'!! Hardly an earthquake except it was nevertheless the largest share. Make of that what you will.

Once upon a time my council provided free skips twice a year.  They were so popular people were filling them up even before the driver released the chains!!  We also had small brown 'caddies' into which food waste in decompostable bags was put.   Both cut out now, the latter being a trial that was uneconomical, albeit environmentally friendly and simple to use. Tins, glass, paper and cardboard all ...

...and if something terrible happened to you sister/wife/daughter/child... Agreed not to necessarily repeat the name but good to know the drift of what is currently possible.

Good link Lynne.  Ref. financial incentives to increase occupancy - how about an incentive by modest inheritence tax relief if you can demonstrate high occupancy in a privately owned house that you live in.  Gets around the old kernel of retired people saying that higher council tax bands are unfair because they may be property rich but cash poor?  The payback for the gov't getting less in ...

I see the point of view, a bit like the Crimean referendum only having, 'Yes' and 'very yes'  on the ballot paper.  However, I think a lack of 'agrees' sort of speaks for itself anyway in our context.  'Disagree' is likely to create a reluctance to air some points in case of an embarrasing vote down.   And there is the option for detailed vociferous disagreement, for which no one has been locked ...

How about offering the driver / guide free refreshments somewhere and simply talk to them.  They will be familiar with feedback plus their thoughts could be captured as well. @Mcjrpc - now you mention it, i know of one town centre in surrey with a hilly high street where there has recently been introduced a free to ride electric buggy (bit like a large golf buggy).  it is sponsored by local ...

... or if you have $40k spare change for a trip of a lifetime ... http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/news/got-40k-you-could-cross-the-atlantic-in-a-lancaster-bomber-1.2630060

Probably THE most positive thread I have read and says volumes about the community spirit of Dawlish.  I do so hope the momentum continues apace.

'It was reported that "the Mafia" is made up of a group of children who had also allegedly drawn up a hit list of six teachers they wanted to target. Following the incident a letter was reportedly sent out to parents at the primary school explaining what had happened and telling them that it had been reported to the police. Neither of the two boys is believed to have been arrested and they are not ...

My limited experience with flights has been mainly 'London' Stansted where 2hours is very sensible in total to include for the fafle of seeming to have to half undress just to get through security, then wait half an hour before check-in is announced which is at just an hour max. before the flight.  Given it can then take about 15mins to then walk to the check-in, 20mins to queue and the ...

Absolutely brilliant video...also spare a thought though for everyone westward who also lost their railway service albeit not in such a stark way.  Penzance was stranded around 100miles from its nearest London service.  We really were 'all in it together' on this occasion!!!

@Mrs C - sorry about my sceptical question, stems from a thread where i think people were asked if they use dawlish trains and there were a lot of very ambivalent answers, so good for you Train services are profitable from the summation of all the users so I am very pro absolutely every possible community having access to services.  There are some very staggering blind spots in this respect.  Ask ...

Here's another idea.  Whether part of the artwork or separately, use Dawlish Station as a 'platform' (pardon the unintended pun) to create a sort of Bayeaux Tapestry that tells the story.  Not so daft, as many London Underground stations do just this to celebrate their history.

With EAs you never quite know what their game is.  I have a colleague who simply asked an agent for a valuation, as one of three prospective agents being considered for the sale of his elderly mother's house.  The property was a highly 'Des.Res.' with refurbishment potential. Anyway, the agent turned up but complete with his 'negotiator' and a ready to sign contract!!  Needless to say, the amount ...

My elderly Father used to go all the way down to the library every week to read the  magazines but this healthy routine is now lost.  A bit like say changes to bus passes there is perhaps a 'hidden cost' to such 'savings' if it disincentivises the elderly from maintaining healthy routines and generally being more active.

We saw a greyhound last weekend and it was adorable, so best wishes for her recovery.  Just wondered if anyone knows whether greyhounds are susceptible to this type of injury given their combination of tremendous speed and slender proportions?

Thanks for the feedback DJ.  Holiday periods are inevitably a good testing time for seeing who has their act together, or perhaps, to be charitable, is a 'victim of their own success'!

Worth pursing while there are still quite a significant amount amount of wall repairs in progress right along to Teignmouth. Anyone know what the final visual plan is for the wall in its totality of length.  It is now, by force of necessity, a patchwork of concrete and the original stone?

...and hurrah for a sane pace of life.  The universal problem with car jams is all the 'other people' who use their cars far too much

New Civil Engineer 17.04.14, commentary by NR, '...there are still longer term issues and the South West and its economy remain vulnerable...We welcome the review looking into a long-term solution to the resilience of the railway network and look forward to more news on this in the autumn.' - fed up with being the ones to be paying compensation ?!

@flo - no probs. whether axe robberies or the boys, it is increasingly hard to be surprised albeit nevertheless shocking particularly when in a holiday context.  transparency, daylight, sensitive advice to young children and publicity on forums/newspapers are all vital tools in prevention.  i remember being told as a boy never to get in a stranger's car, but not why or even that non-strangers are ...

Rusty marks - if painted less than 5years ago then poor surface prep most likely.