Northland Corporate Group’s Post

I hadn’t planned my walk along the Sankey Canal to coincide with the axing of #HS2 but it happened like that. It was a sunny day. I had been promising myself a hike along the towpath for ages. I grew up in the area and it holds a special place in my affections. As I wandered it struck me that this under-explored waterway was arguably the UK’s first significant development in infrastructure since the #Romans built roads. It was built in two years. The Sankey Canal connects #StHelens with the River #Mersey. It was opened in 1757 and subsequently extended to Widnes. Large sailing barges called Mersey flats moved coal from #Lancashire to the #Cheshire salt-brining towns and to #Liverpool. The first canal of the #IndustrialRevolution built in #GreatBritain (Northern Ireland’s Newry Canal was earlier), its construction was only permitted because engineer Henry Berry and financier John Ashton duped parliament and other investors into believing it was a “navigation” – a widening of the existing Sankey Brook. But it is a true cut, and prompted the Duke of Bridgewater – the “father of British inland navigation” – to build his own waterway. As it happened, this first section passed near the village of Burtonwood, where I was born and raised. Several spurs were built to reach local collieries. I started at one, at Blackbrook, just outside St Helens. There I met Colin Greenall, the chair of the Sankey Canal Restoration Society (#Scars), who gave me a handy historical walking guide. Colin, who is 79, remembers seeing cargo vessels on the canal when he was a boy. “It must have been about 1956. I remember being out trainspotting at Winwick and seeing boats going up towards Earlestown with sugar. Then everything changed to road transport and the last boats stopped in 1959.” He says the society’s chief aim is to create a nature corridor in what is a densely populated and economically deprived area. “We hope we can keep the southern section in water [ie navigable] and develop the rest as a leisure space. But in the long term, there’s nothing to prevent the canal being fully reopened. Even where it’s filled in, nothing has been built along its course.” Scars is keen to recruit more volunteers and fundraises to support conservation work along the waterway. It hopes one day to create a fully working canal for leisure crafts.

Plans are underway to improve the public spaces around Upper Millgate and Corporation Street, a key gateway between the Forge Island leisure development and the town centre. The aim is to create a more pedestrian friendly area, with green spaces and seating, as well as enhancing the crossing points. The proposed changes include: • Widening and improvement of footways and public realm along Corporation Street, and reduction of crossing distances, to provide better access for pedestrians. • Keeping the current restrictions to traffic (except buses) travelling up towards Ship Hill, although bicycles will now be permitted to travel up Corporation Street. All traffic will still be allowed to travel down Corporation Street. • Replacing the existing signals at Upper Millgate (the gateway to Riverside Gardens and Forge Island) with an informal raised crossing point, to better cater for pedestrians. • The permanent removal of the traffic lights at the junction with High Street and Ship Hill following a trial period through 2023. The junction layout will be changed to provide better visibility for drivers pulling out of the junction on Ship Hill, with improved public realm and reduced crossing distances. Find out more and give your views on the proposals here: https://buff.ly/3N8OWiC The online consultation will close on Thursday 21 December. Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council #investinginrotherhamsfuture #publicrealm #rotherhamtowncentre #forgeisland #publicspace

PROPOSED CYCLE LANE FOR ABERDEEN CITY CENTRE. It’s been proposed that a cycle lane could be built from Westhill into Aberdeen city centre, sounds good until you get into the detail. Firstly, a Dutch-style roundabout is proposed. This would mean cyclists have their own lanes that are typically physically separated from other vehicles. But, the plans do not stop there. It also would involve narrowing roads, more bus lanes, changing roundabouts, and restricting city centre parking, which would include Carden Place, Skene Street, and Rosemount Viaduct. I will need a lot of convincing to think that this move is a good step for Aberdeen. It seems to me that lessons learned from the LEZ and bus Lanes are that traffic restrictions mean fewer people coming into the city centre to spend money in local businesses, instead, they drive to Aberdeenshire to spend money in towns not restricting free movement. What are your thoughts? Leave me a comment below.  #Aberdeen #Cyclelanes #LEZ #Buslanes

The seemingly eternal question of what to do about Parramatta Road now has two possible answers: road widening or a light rail extension. What impact would each of these choices have for you and your property? #commercialproperty #commercialpropertyinvestment #commercialpropertyportfolio #sydneycityfringe #broadway #glebe #balmain #leichhardt #newtown #enmore #parramattaroad #commercialretailspace

Plans are underway to improve the public spaces around Upper Millgate and Corporation Street, a key gateway between the Forge Island leisure development and the town centre. The aim is to create a more pedestrian friendly area, with green spaces and seating, as well as enhancing the crossing points. The proposed changes include: • Widening and improvement of footways and public realm along Corporation Street, and reduction of crossing distances, to provide better access for pedestrians. • Keeping the current restrictions to traffic (except buses) travelling up towards Ship Hill, although bicycles will now be permitted to travel up Corporation Street. All traffic will still be allowed to travel down Corporation Street. • Replacing the existing signals at Upper Millgate (the gateway to Riverside Gardens and Forge Island) with an informal raised crossing point, to better cater for pedestrians. • The permanent removal of the traffic lights at the junction with High Street and Ship Hill following a trial period through 2023. The junction layout will be changed to provide better visibility for drivers pulling out of the junction on Ship Hill, with improved public realm and reduced crossing distances. Find out more and give your views on the proposals here: https://buff.ly/3N8OWiC The online consultation will close on Thursday 21 December. Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council #investinginrotherhamsfuture #publicrealm #rotherhamtowncentre #forgeisland #publicspace

The Rail to Trail Conservancy is at it again! It mystifies me how they are willing to go public with their "myth busting" using outlandish reasoning. There is a serious lack of critical thinking there. #1 Trails can be built beside the railway's trestles and bridges by building purpose built active transportation bridges beside them like the one that crosses the MacKenzie Interchange, or smaller bridges on the vastly greater sum that are tiny in size. #2 The rail to trail conversion for the Duncan to Cowichan trail was done because Cowichan is not sufficiently built up yet for rail to be considered, but the Island Corridor Foundation still owns it. The second Northern line was sold off in parcels and has been built over with housing which is realistically what would happen to parts of the Vancouver Island Corridor. #3 The BC Government funded $18 Million to develop a final vision for the corridor in collaboration with Regional Districts and First Nations, funded the cleanup of the corridor of vegetation and rockfall and other safety hazards. And the Island Corridor Foundation is hiring a Corridor Project Manager. #4 While saying rail can return even if it's turned into a trail is true from a legal standpoint, it's not true from a social / populist point of view at all. "From our cold dead hands" comes to mind. The Galloping Goose could be providing rail to Sooke, and the BC Transit proposal to bring rail into the downtown core using the Galloping Goose right of way hasn't got any traction. #5 is just pure horse hockey. The trains run on a very low grade with steel on steel efficiency, and if electrified they beat buses hands down! Add in the fact that buses run on inefficient rubber tires and are impeded by traffic congestion, and this assertion is literally wacko 😁 This group has been on Vancouver Island since 2018, doing everything they can to remove your rail rights of way. Just those, nothing about building regional trails that don’t touch the railway. Ask yourself why? All Aboard! 15,764 are already loaded https://chng.it/HTPJ25CqPr Restore Island Rail https://lnkd.in/gy9WBzcw #railway #transit #supports #cycling #vancouverisland

Floridians deserve access to incredible trails and I’m proud of Trust for Public Land’s work to secure the Bonita-Estero Rail-Trail (BERT). Spanning nearly 15 miles in Lee and Collier counties, the BERT will connect over 70,000 residents within a 10-minute walk to the benefits of awesome green space. A quick jog before work, a picnic lunch break, or sending kids out to play after school, pathways like BERT help create happier, healthier communities and are vital in making the Florida Gulf Coast Trail a reality. While many segments of the Florida Gulf Coast Trail exist, many gaps—like the BERT—still remain. TPL is working to close these gaps to connect more people to the outdoors. https://lnkd.in/eGzMzDJ8

The Rail to Trail Conservancy is at it again! It mystifies me how they are willing to go public with their "myth busting" using outlandish reasoning. There is a serious lack of critical thinking there. #1 Trails can be built beside the railway's trestles and bridges by building purpose built active transportation bridges beside them like the one that crosses the MacKenzie Interchange, or smaller bridges on the vastly greater sum that are tiny in size. #2 The rail to trail conversion for the Duncan to Cowichan trail was done because Cowichan is not sufficiently built up yet for rail to be considered, but the Island Corridor Foundation still owns it. The second Northern line was sold off in parcels and has been built over with housing which is realistically what would happen to parts of the Vancouver Island Corridor. #3 The BC Government funded $18 Million to develop a final vision for the corridor in collaboration with Regional Districts and First Nations, funded the cleanup of the corridor of vegetation and rockfall and other safety hazards. And the Island Corridor Foundation is hiring a Corridor Project Manager. #4 While saying rail can return even if it's turned into a trail is true from a legal standpoint, it's not true from a social / populist point of view at all. "From our cold dead hands" comes to mind. The Galloping Goose could be providing rail to Sooke, and the BC Transit proposal to bring rail into the downtown core using the Galloping Goose right of way hasn't got any traction. #5 is just pure horse hockey. The trains run on a very low grade with steel on steel efficiency, and if electrified they beat buses hands down! Add in the fact that buses run on inefficient rubber tires and are impeded by traffic congestion, and this assertion is literally wacko 😁 This group has been on Vancouver Island since 2018, doing everything they can to remove your rail rights of way. Just those, nothing about building regional trails that don’t touch the railway. Why? All Aboard! https://chng.it/HTPJ25CqPr Restore Island Rail https://lnkd.in/gy9WBzcw #railway #transit #support #cycling #vancouverisland #britishcolumbia #canada #reconcilation

The imminent launch of a ferry service from South Amboy to Midtown and Lower Manhattan signifies substantial changes for the town and its residents. This service will revolutionize daily commuting, particularly during the workweek, providing a direct connection to Manhattan. The provision of free shuttles from the ferry dock to the train station not only enhances accessibility but also amplifies interest from nearby areas such as Perth Amboy, Sayreville, and South River, signifying a wider regional impact. Although the service initially won't operate on weekends, its introduction holds the promise of bolstering economic and commuting prospects for the community. Notably, the announcement of a future permanent ferry terminal, despite pending construction, signifies an impending infrastructural transformation. This development hints at long-term growth and improved town connectivity. Collaborative efforts between NY Waterway and the town suggest a shared commitment to meet community needs, indicating positive changes in local transportation and accessibility. Photo is a rendering of how the South Amboy ferry terminal will look. Construction has not started yet. (City of South Amboy) #NJRealEstate #CommercialRealEstate #NJProperties #CRE

Excited to hear progress is being made for Central Waterfront. A year ago, Mobility Foresight was involved in multiday charrettes, bringing energy towards a restart of a #visionary planning process for this vital #multimodal hub. "The project could be 'a legacy for future generations,' with myriad benefits to the local economy, #transportation, and tourism, as well as creating public access from Cordova Street to the waterfront" What progress is being made, building off last year's work? "By the first half of 2024, the many interested parties are expected to commit to their roles and funding with a formal #memorandumofunderstanding and '#implementation agreement,' including “process, budget, staffing, roles and responsibilities” Central Waterfront should become the hub for #highspeedrail and future #rapidtransit along Hastings to connect to the regional rapid transit line at Hastings Park from the North Shore to Metrotown. This type of #transformative transport planning takes a long time and has a lot of complexity. Engaging in a collaborative and visionary planning process is a necessary step to unlock this place of local, regional, provincial and national significance. #CentralWaterfront #TransitHub #MultimodalHub #transportationplanning #mobilityforesight Kind regards, Dale Principal, Mobility Foresight https://lnkd.in/gMKkxitB