Richard Hebditch
@richard.hebditch.org
I'm a board member of London TravelWatch & coordinator of the Better Planning Coalition. Previously: charities streets transport heritage environment philanthropy
"Use every tool at your disposal to get new products to market quickly" (to quote our own Dept for Business)
In China, driverless delivery vans have become a total meme, they plow through crumbling roads, fresh concrete, motorcycles, anything.
Nothing stops them. #cdnpoli
Nothing stops them. #cdnpoli
January 13, 2026 at 1:48 PM
"Use every tool at your disposal to get new products to market quickly" (to quote our own Dept for Business)
This is a good appointment. Hopefully well placed to resist the threat to undermine the statutory duty on public sector to support national parks and national landscapes (a recommendation from the Fingleton Review on nuclear regulation).
www.gov.uk/government/n...
www.gov.uk/government/n...
Independent Chair of the Protected Landscapes Partnership appointed
Mary-Ann Ochota appointed for a one-year term
www.gov.uk
January 13, 2026 at 10:10 AM
This is a good appointment. Hopefully well placed to resist the threat to undermine the statutory duty on public sector to support national parks and national landscapes (a recommendation from the Fingleton Review on nuclear regulation).
www.gov.uk/government/n...
www.gov.uk/government/n...
Reposted by Richard Hebditch
The utterly shameless & widely covered "report" out today, claiming net zero will "cost" £9tn is based on:
* Assuming free fossil-fuel energy, free petrol cars, free gas boilers, free gas power plants etc
AND
* Including climate damages in the "cost" of net zero
I kid you not, it is that stupid
* Assuming free fossil-fuel energy, free petrol cars, free gas boilers, free gas power plants etc
AND
* Including climate damages in the "cost" of net zero
I kid you not, it is that stupid
🧵A political/media guide to the "truth" about net-zero
1) Add up costs to install & run a net-zero energy system
2) Pretend fossil-fuelled alternatives wld be free
3) Do say "eco zealots are bankrupting us"
4) Don't say "free cars if we scrap net-zero" cos it sounds ridiculous
5) That's it!
1/10
1) Add up costs to install & run a net-zero energy system
2) Pretend fossil-fuelled alternatives wld be free
3) Do say "eco zealots are bankrupting us"
4) Don't say "free cars if we scrap net-zero" cos it sounds ridiculous
5) That's it!
1/10
January 13, 2026 at 7:37 AM
The utterly shameless & widely covered "report" out today, claiming net zero will "cost" £9tn is based on:
* Assuming free fossil-fuel energy, free petrol cars, free gas boilers, free gas power plants etc
AND
* Including climate damages in the "cost" of net zero
I kid you not, it is that stupid
* Assuming free fossil-fuel energy, free petrol cars, free gas boilers, free gas power plants etc
AND
* Including climate damages in the "cost" of net zero
I kid you not, it is that stupid
Reposted by Richard Hebditch
The Highway Code rule 112b: LED headlights
![[Cartoon strip pastiche of the Highway Code, with illustrations describing the text]
[Title panel]:
The Highway Code
Rule number 112b:
LED headlights
In recent years, many
new cars have been fitted with extra-bright LED headlights.
LED headlights increase safety by illuminating every detail of the road ahead
Including the face of the person driving a metal box towards you at a combined speed of 80mph
Whom you have just blinded with your LED headlights.
LED headlights must be fitted at eye-level on a great big murderous wall of car.
[Show a car crumpling into the front of a high-fronted SUV, bathed in light from the blinding headlamps]
They must be permanently on full beam, because you are insane.
And they should be bright enough to make other drivers think they are ascending into a blinding vortex of alien light
Like them old people in the classic Ron Howard film, Cocoon (1985).
[Show illustration of the final scene where the older people on the boat are being yoinked up into the blindingly-illuminated cloaca of the big spaceship]
So remember: you must use LED headlights
To prevent everyone from not crashing into you.
[Image shows this happening]
[Ends]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:4m3we4apbjayclzcnhwe3pfp/bafkreidg3mni5yt6nxmwoqrv66uzimyblbekeeffqwtclshd42bl2cr4qa@jpeg)
January 12, 2026 at 11:52 AM
The Highway Code rule 112b: LED headlights
Government promising to introduce legislation to bring international aviation (and shipping) into UK carbon budgets by this summer.
(From its response to EAC report on aviation, published today)
(From its response to EAC report on aviation, published today)
January 12, 2026 at 8:25 AM
Government promising to introduce legislation to bring international aviation (and shipping) into UK carbon budgets by this summer.
(From its response to EAC report on aviation, published today)
(From its response to EAC report on aviation, published today)
This is interesting beyond cricket on how an initially successful strategy no longer works when circumstances change. Lessons for Number 10 perhaps...
www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricke...
www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricke...
The Ashes: England cricket concern over culture and drinking
The revelation Harry Brook got into a fight with a bouncer brings further focus on the culture of the England team.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 9, 2026 at 10:59 AM
This is interesting beyond cricket on how an initially successful strategy no longer works when circumstances change. Lessons for Number 10 perhaps...
www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricke...
www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricke...
Not a fan of TfL's deals like these. Aside from the confusion, also weakens the strong brand that the London Underground and TfL have. Can't see big commercial brands ever letting their brand be weakened in this way.
www.standard.co.uk/news/transpo...
www.standard.co.uk/news/transpo...
Getting a roundel in: Bakerloo line renamed by Heineken in Tube sponsorship deal
Transport for London has yet to reveal its income from the advertising deal – its first alcohol-free beer partnership - but it is likely to be a sizeable six-figure sum
www.standard.co.uk
January 9, 2026 at 10:32 AM
Not a fan of TfL's deals like these. Aside from the confusion, also weakens the strong brand that the London Underground and TfL have. Can't see big commercial brands ever letting their brand be weakened in this way.
www.standard.co.uk/news/transpo...
www.standard.co.uk/news/transpo...
Next election and government formation could be chaos.
More in Common MRP poll on Monday suggested that "most constituencies are won with less than 35 per cent of the vote".
www.moreincommon.org.uk/latest-insig...
More in Common MRP poll on Monday suggested that "most constituencies are won with less than 35 per cent of the vote".
www.moreincommon.org.uk/latest-insig...
January 8, 2026 at 10:35 AM
Next election and government formation could be chaos.
More in Common MRP poll on Monday suggested that "most constituencies are won with less than 35 per cent of the vote".
www.moreincommon.org.uk/latest-insig...
More in Common MRP poll on Monday suggested that "most constituencies are won with less than 35 per cent of the vote".
www.moreincommon.org.uk/latest-insig...
Reposted by Richard Hebditch
5+ years on from the DfT consultation on pavement parking, looks like the Government are finally publishing their response to it (from Thursday's order paper)
January 8, 2026 at 12:04 AM
5+ years on from the DfT consultation on pavement parking, looks like the Government are finally publishing their response to it (from Thursday's order paper)
5+ years on from the DfT consultation on pavement parking, looks like the Government are finally publishing their response to it (from Thursday's order paper)
January 8, 2026 at 12:04 AM
5+ years on from the DfT consultation on pavement parking, looks like the Government are finally publishing their response to it (from Thursday's order paper)
Living Streets on road safety strategy: "there needs to be more detail on how we design our streets in a way that puts a stop to such needless loss of life."
The Road Safety Strategy is an opportunity to address the dangers pedestrians face every day, but the vision should be for zero people to lose their lives. We should not accept that a certain number of people will die on our roads.
livingstreets.org.uk/RSScomment
livingstreets.org.uk/RSScomment
“The vision should be for zero people to lose their lives”
Living Streets comments on the Government's first Road Safety Strategy in over a decade, released today (7 January).
livingstreets.org.uk
January 7, 2026 at 2:51 PM
Living Streets on road safety strategy: "there needs to be more detail on how we design our streets in a way that puts a stop to such needless loss of life."
Pretty sure there were similar complaints in early Blair govt, eg about Norman Baker tabling so many. No AI then, and partly about the big churn of new MPs wanting to demonstrate activity and also general Whitehall tendency to avoid meaningful answers to PQs or other forms of scrutiny.
🧵Sky News has a piece running today about a big increase in written parliamentary questions. @samcoatessky.bsky.social says a
senior government source has suggested MPs may be using AI to submit written questions to ministers.
news.sky.com/story/number...
senior government source has suggested MPs may be using AI to submit written questions to ministers.
news.sky.com/story/number...
Number of written questions to government departments doubles in a year
A senior government source has suggested MPs may be using AI to submit written questions to ministers.
news.sky.com
January 7, 2026 at 12:29 PM
Pretty sure there were similar complaints in early Blair govt, eg about Norman Baker tabling so many. No AI then, and partly about the big churn of new MPs wanting to demonstrate activity and also general Whitehall tendency to avoid meaningful answers to PQs or other forms of scrutiny.
Seems I wrote a blog about the new NPPF before Christmas. Came as a surprise to discover it this morning after Christmas break has wiped all memories.
betterplanningcoalition.com/news/the-new...
betterplanningcoalition.com/news/the-new...
The New National Planning Policy Framework - what's changed - Better Planning Coalition
The Government published its new draft National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) this week. This post sets out the main changes and what we would like to see reflected in the final version, after the ...
betterplanningcoalition.com
January 7, 2026 at 9:46 AM
Seems I wrote a blog about the new NPPF before Christmas. Came as a surprise to discover it this morning after Christmas break has wiped all memories.
betterplanningcoalition.com/news/the-new...
betterplanningcoalition.com/news/the-new...
This is good in the road safety strategy: "New measures will also target the growing problem of illegal number plates, including ‘ghost’ plates designed to fool camera systems"
www.gov.uk/government/n...
www.gov.uk/government/n...
Thousands of lives to be saved under bold new Road Safety Strategy
New road safety strategy shows that the government is listening and leading: together, we can build a safer future for all UK road users.
www.gov.uk
January 7, 2026 at 9:11 AM
This is good in the road safety strategy: "New measures will also target the growing problem of illegal number plates, including ‘ghost’ plates designed to fool camera systems"
www.gov.uk/government/n...
www.gov.uk/government/n...
Reposted by Richard Hebditch
Critically, we also need the public to support actions that enable older people to live great lives without having to drive for when they fail the eye tests. So the public need to get onboard with no pavement parking, pedestrian priority, denser housing, fewer out-of-town shopping centres, etc etc
90% of Britons support government proposals to require drivers over the age of 70 to have their vision checked every three years - including 89% of the over-65s
yougov.co.uk/topics/trave...
yougov.co.uk/topics/trave...
January 7, 2026 at 8:11 AM
Critically, we also need the public to support actions that enable older people to live great lives without having to drive for when they fail the eye tests. So the public need to get onboard with no pavement parking, pedestrian priority, denser housing, fewer out-of-town shopping centres, etc etc
"A politics of relentless process rather than any elevated purpose."
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Who does new year Keir look like after his reset? Last year Keir – and that’s a huge problem | John McTernan
This weekend’s lengthy BBC interview was a great opportunity to show vim and a new vision, but once again process and stock phrases won out, says political strategist John McTernan
www.theguardian.com
January 6, 2026 at 1:48 PM
"A politics of relentless process rather than any elevated purpose."
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
If the Government wants "delivery" to reverse its fortunes, then things like this need to be part of it. Tackling issues that impact on many people's lives and not just the ones that overall polling highlights as most important.
We're delighted the Department for Transport has launched a public consultation into reviewing the law around powered mobility devices.
This has the potential to improve the independence, physical & mental health, employment & social options of Disabled individuals and their families across the UK.
This has the potential to improve the independence, physical & mental health, employment & social options of Disabled individuals and their families across the UK.
Government seeks views to modernise laws on powered mobility devices
Have your say on how laws around powered mobility devices could reflect modern technology and improve safety by 31 March 2026.
www.gov.uk
January 6, 2026 at 1:47 PM
If the Government wants "delivery" to reverse its fortunes, then things like this need to be part of it. Tackling issues that impact on many people's lives and not just the ones that overall polling highlights as most important.
Little bit slow but good news that DfT is today launching a consultation on the regulatory roadmap to phase out sales of new non-zero emission HGVs: www.gov.uk/government/n...
Will the 2035 phase-out date for sales of new smaller diesel trucks still be policy or will it just be 2040 for all trucks?
Will the 2035 phase-out date for sales of new smaller diesel trucks still be policy or will it just be 2040 for all trucks?
Boost for British business as government slashes cost of electric lorries by up to £120,000
We're making electric lorries more affordable to help hauliers make the switch, while boosting growth and investment in the sector.
www.gov.uk
January 6, 2026 at 9:02 AM
Little bit slow but good news that DfT is today launching a consultation on the regulatory roadmap to phase out sales of new non-zero emission HGVs: www.gov.uk/government/n...
Will the 2035 phase-out date for sales of new smaller diesel trucks still be policy or will it just be 2040 for all trucks?
Will the 2035 phase-out date for sales of new smaller diesel trucks still be policy or will it just be 2040 for all trucks?
Obviously a general election is a long way off, but More in Common modelling of impact of centre-left tactical voting is interesting. Could also be matched on the right, with Reform (as the larger party) benefitting most.
MRP poll published yesterday.
MRP poll published yesterday.
January 5, 2026 at 5:00 PM
Obviously a general election is a long way off, but More in Common modelling of impact of centre-left tactical voting is interesting. Could also be matched on the right, with Reform (as the larger party) benefitting most.
MRP poll published yesterday.
MRP poll published yesterday.
Guardian coverage (on Christmas Day - you may have missed this) on the decline in % change in EV charge point roll-out: www.theguardian.com/environment/...
January 5, 2026 at 4:17 PM
Guardian coverage (on Christmas Day - you may have missed this) on the decline in % change in EV charge point roll-out: www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Bit late looking at the honours list but nice to see one part of the British state giving honours to those in civil society who are vocal in criticising that state's policies (eg Craig Bennett from Wildlife Trust on planning & nature policy, Enver Solomon from Refugee Council on migration policy).
January 5, 2026 at 1:45 PM
Bit late looking at the honours list but nice to see one part of the British state giving honours to those in civil society who are vocal in criticising that state's policies (eg Craig Bennett from Wildlife Trust on planning & nature policy, Enver Solomon from Refugee Council on migration policy).
The Death of Diesel cars - over 12 million diesel cars a few years ago but now expectation that within 5 years will be down to less than half that, with only a couple of hundred thousand by mid-2030s.
New from @mattfinch00.bsky.social & @newautomotive.org
storage.googleapis.com/public_downl...
New from @mattfinch00.bsky.social & @newautomotive.org
storage.googleapis.com/public_downl...
January 5, 2026 at 1:34 PM
The Death of Diesel cars - over 12 million diesel cars a few years ago but now expectation that within 5 years will be down to less than half that, with only a couple of hundred thousand by mid-2030s.
New from @mattfinch00.bsky.social & @newautomotive.org
storage.googleapis.com/public_downl...
New from @mattfinch00.bsky.social & @newautomotive.org
storage.googleapis.com/public_downl...
Go west (A35, Christmas Eve)
December 27, 2025 at 5:49 PM
Go west (A35, Christmas Eve)
"Between July to September 2025, district level planning authorities in England received 78,800 applications for planning permission, down 3% from the same quarter a year earlier"
Perhaps other factors than the planning system itself might be behind the level of house building? Just a thought.
Perhaps other factors than the planning system itself might be behind the level of house building? Just a thought.
December 18, 2025 at 10:18 AM
"Between July to September 2025, district level planning authorities in England received 78,800 applications for planning permission, down 3% from the same quarter a year earlier"
Perhaps other factors than the planning system itself might be behind the level of house building? Just a thought.
Perhaps other factors than the planning system itself might be behind the level of house building? Just a thought.
Good work from Climate Emergency - hopefully Government will recognise the need to ensure climate change is a priority for councils through local government reorganisation process and is put at the heart of the work of the new strategic authorities.
Today Isaac Beevor along with @philipglanville.bsky.social and a cross party group of councillors delivered an open letter to Number 10 signed by 500 local leaders, cabinet members and councillors calling @miattafahnbulleh.bsky.social and @katiewhitemp.bsky.social for more local climate powers.🙌
December 17, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Good work from Climate Emergency - hopefully Government will recognise the need to ensure climate change is a priority for councils through local government reorganisation process and is put at the heart of the work of the new strategic authorities.