I didn’t really know what to write about this week. I’m in London, and there’s so much in the way of sustainability initiatives (for instance, Islington, the borough in which I’m staying, powers its own fleet of electric vehicles with wind turbines) and renewable energy news that I’ve been unable to choose.
So I’m not going to. This bit of news from the Guardian caught my eye and interest:
An Alpine-style cable car to ferry people across the Thames in east London should replace plans for a £500m six-lane road bridge…a cable car across the Thames would be the most sustainable. It would be significantly cheaper than a bridge, and would greatly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, encourage cycling and walking, and could be erected in time for the Olympics in 2012.
Environmental groups as well as local residents have been opposing the plans for a bridge for some time. The idea for a cable car was put forth by analysts hired by Transport for London. Cars would leave every 20 seconds or so, take less than two minutes to cross, and be capable of transporting up to 5,000 people every hour. It would also connect into London’s admirable public transit system, as well as to the currently under-served City Airport.
The analysts think the cable car is the best option for many reasons: low emissions, potential as a tourist attraction (East London could use some TLC in that department), good press, low cost of installation and maintenance, and low noise pollution.
In the US, a cable car has connected New York’s Roosevelt Island with Manhattan since the late 1970s; it wasn’t supposed to be permanent, but was so efficient and attracted so many tourists that it settled in. And it is beautiful–it helps me see why a cable car appeals to East London locals a bridge alternative. This video takes you along the path of the Tramway (plus you get to listen to some U2):
Nice Post! Luv the musik!