salawatson.bsky.social - Profile | ThreadSky | a Reddit-style client for Bluesky

Active travel for the whole of England is only getting about £150 million a year. Roads for motor vehicles are such an expensive waste of money

submitted 7 hours ago • 2 comments

My book - Liverpool and the Un-Making of Britain - is out today! Here is a thread I made earlier of extraordinary facts about the city's history to get everyone excited.

submitted 18 hours ago • 3 comments

Now gone down a rabbit hole reading about turn of the century speed bump controversies. There were, apparently, 323 'hidden humps' in Hastings by 2001.

submitted 3 days ago • 1 comment

Hastings councillors approved the advertisment for the traffic order for the play street in Farley Bank in 2002. But it was another two years before it was confirmed because one person objected to the proposal.

submitted 3 days ago • 1 comment

I've been doing some digging into play streets campaigns over the last half century and found this today - a street that was designated in 2004 after seven years of campaigning by local residents.

submitted 3 days ago • 0 comments

Another report out today calling for the government to do more to support children’s play. Traffic is highlighted as a major problem. Good to see calls for play streets to be put on a more sustainable footing. Thanks to all who continue to advocate for more than playgrounds! @playingout.bsky.social

submitted 3 days ago • 0 comments

Lots of national media coverage about Play Commission today. Our Co-founder Ingrid on 5 Live and Leeds play street activator Catherine on the Today Programme alongside @annelongfield.bsky.social (link below - 2:48). Getting the word out!! www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...

submitted 3 days ago • 1 comment

“We have an opportunity here to make a real difference. Restoring play to children’s lives is something Government can DO”. 👏👏👏@tomhayesmp.bsky.social

submitted 3 days ago • 0 comments

Play Commission interim report published today. Strong focus on need for safe streets and child-friendly built environment to restore children’s outdoor play (health and happiness!). @cfyounglives.bsky.social @playingout.bsky.social www.centreforyounglives.org.uk/news-centre/...

submitted 3 days ago • 1 comment

Evening! Just a reminder we’re hosting our first ever social in March - a proper get together for anyone that enjoys local history & culture and fancies a natter over a drink. Totally free and open to anyone but please RSVP on the link :-) www.northeastheritagelibrary.co.uk/event-detail...

submitted 5 days ago • 1 comment

Something is going really wrong in North Tyneside if 28 people can put a stop to a cycle lane that connects children’s homes to their school:

submitted 7 days ago • 3 comments

our beloved playschool closes for good today. I've spent the last several weeks issuing redundancy notices, battling with the local authority and watching in awe as our treasurer does the most depressing sums www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

submitted 14 days ago • 3 comments

This is something I’ve been thinking about for ages, and am pleased Leisure Studies’ special issue on “grey spaces” gave me a change to explore it. As access to green space is widely promoted, I argue for play in grey space. www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....

submitted 13 days ago • 4 comments

As we approach the 2nd of 4 webinars on Exploring Play Sufficiency, we're pleased to share the recording of Webinar 1: Introducing Play Sufficiency: tinyurl.com/ykdzp6z6 Booking for Webinar 2 (25 Feb, 12:30-14:00 GMT, on play sufficiency at national level) closes 17 Feb: tinyurl.com/59w79t2v

submitted 14 days ago • 0 comments

Join us to hear Prof Rachel Aldred, University of Westminster, reflect on researching active travel. She will discuss the changes that she has studied in London’s cycling and walking environments, and what we might expect and hope for in the future. Sign up now: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/unequal-mo...

submitted 28 days ago • 0 comments

Conference 'Sixty years on from the London County Council: legacy, impact, learning', 26-28 March 2025: tickets now on sale ... www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/sixty-year...

submitted 17 days ago • 2 comments

Growing Up and Going Out is released with @manchesterup.bsky.social TODAY! If you're interested in histories of youth, leisure, drinking, urban space, and oral history then please do consider ordering a copy for your libraries. manchesteruniversitypress.co.uk/9781526152640/

submitted 16 days ago • 4 comments

Last year I became a @historictownstrust.bsky.social trustee - a small charity who are launching a new project to engage children and young people in urban history in Bath. Other towns and cities to follow soon…

submitted 17 days ago • 1 comment

I made one attempt here. But I want to read and learn more.

submitted 18 days ago • 1 comment

“Environmentally friendly modes of transport are booming in Munich and now constitute nearly 80 percent of total traffic. The results are cleaner air, fewer traffic jams on the streets, and lower CO2 emissions.” More of this please.

submitted 19 days ago • 3 comments

By me: Cycle paths are pointless if women don't feel safe using them at night. If you want to give people the choice to cycle, there need to be good options for everyone (note: I had the headline amended as research shows almost a quarter of routes are deemed socially unsafe after dark, not half)

submitted 22 days ago • 12 comments

Activist and film-maker Sarah Chaundler of #SafeStreetsNow & @betterstreetsforbirmingham.org is making a short, hard-hitting film about the devastating impact of road danger in her city. Does anyone know of any UK film festivals or outlets that might be interested in something like this?

submitted 19 days ago • 3 comments

Donald Shoup passed. He was my doctoral advisor, and just one of the best people you could know (and his wife Pat is a delight). Don was unique in academia and planning: he was a late bloomer (another inspiration to me) and he changed the world. I'll share two things. parkingreform.org/donald-shoup/

submitted 19 days ago • 1 comment

I'm deeply saddened to share that Donald Shoup passed away last night. He was the ideal academic—curious, methodical, and concerned with turning ideas into real-world change. TAing his parking course these past few years has one of the greatest honors of my life. Rest in peace, Shoup Dogg.

submitted 19 days ago • 46 comments

I'm back at Tuesday's @activetravelcaf.bsky.social and I'll be talking about bus gates. I am also very pleased that Lauren & Amy from MP Smarter Travel are the main event talking about the Lambeth Accessibility Working Group which I have had a small supporting role in with @cityinfinity.bsky.social

submitted 19 days ago • 3 comments

Been looking at the recently-published annual report by Alice Wiseman, Director of Public Health in Newcastle (and Gateshead), titled (and focused) on "It takes a city to raise a child". Lots to think about, including from the perspective of play & mobility. new.newcastle.gov.uk/budget-polic...

submitted 21 days ago • 2 comments

Fascinating talk by Silvie Fisch from Northern Cultural Projects at Newcastle’s Farrell Centre - on community and art in Byker over the decades.

submitted 21 days ago • 0 comments

Really enjoyed @activetravelcaf.bsky.social this evening, listening to Jenny Rutherford discuss play sufficiency and what that looks like in Leeds. Shows what a strategic vision, political will and a lot of energy can do for children and young people

submitted 23 days ago • 1 comment

@alisonstenning.bsky.social @salawatson.bsky.social @wendyrussell.bsky.social It was Katy Hawkins' Ghost Playgrounds project that drew me to Donne's work. Not sure if Katy's on Bluesky, and I'm sure you're already aware of this, but here's her blog which is very good: ghostplaygrounds.wordpress.com

submitted 23 days ago • 3 comments