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Alison Stenning

@alisonstenning.bsky.social

7K followers 1.2K following 3.3K posts

Geographer - Professor - Mum - Playing - #playstreets - Cycling - #kidicalmass - #WarOnCars - Walking - Noticing - Green - North Tyneside - North Shields - UK

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Alison Stenning @alisonstenning.bsky.social · Nov 9

Hello 👋 I’m here for the chat about (geographies of) (urban) play and everyday mobility, esp children’s, along with neighbourhoods and community; bits on austerity, class & social change; climate & environment; but also the north-east of England (esp Tyneside); and some higher education too.

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Alison Stenning @alisonstenning.bsky.social · 1h

Very much this! I beg students at induction to use our office hours and come and see us, about whatever small or larger queries and concerns they have.

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Alison Stenning @alisonstenning.bsky.social · 3h

Well, it’s not today.

Having a lucky week!

Reposted by Alison Stenning

Alison Stenning @alisonstenning.bsky.social · 1d

Jenrick also says, whilst apparently making a film about litter, "it was absolutely appalling, it was the closest I've come to a slum in this country".

The abhorrent stigmatisation of Handsworth is only matched by the determined ignorance of the impact of Tory austerity.

Badenoch defends Jenrick over comments that he ‘did not see another white face’ in Birmingham – UK politics live

Conservative leader suggests remarks in Guardian report could have been taken out of context and he was ‘making an observation’

www.theguardian.com

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Reposted by Alison Stenning

Cool Bike Art @coolbikeart1.bsky.social · 18h

Bicycle Map of the Island of Montreal
Sponsored by (among others) the Dominion Burglary Guarantee Company
"First insure your bicycle - against being stolen - then study the map"
1897

Antique map of the Island of Montreal. Red lines appear to indicate bicycle routes.

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Reposted by Alison Stenning

Oxford Clarion @oxfordclarion.bsky.social · 19h

Clara Glachant of the University of Eindhoven said “Our findings suggest that e-cargo bikes may help cultivate a cycling culture both at the household level and the community level. They may reshape ideas of who belongs on the road, who is entitled to space.” www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...

Between or Beyond Bicycles and Cars? Navigating E-Cargo Bike Citizenship in the Transition to Sustainable Urban Mobility

E-cargo bikes have gained academic and policy interest for their potential to replace car trips in cities. Like bicycles, they require pedaling, produ…

www.sciencedirect.com

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Alison Stenning @alisonstenning.bsky.social · 18h

Recent whinge from motorists here: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

More lane closures on Newcastle A167 Central Motorway

The A167(M) Central Motorway in Newcastle-upon-Tyne is reduced to one lane in each direction.

www.bbc.co.uk

Alison Stenning @alisonstenning.bsky.social · 18h

Makes up for missing one this morning -

bsky.app/profile/alis...

Alison Stenning @alisonstenning.bsky.social · 1d

This one left without me ☹️

Alison Stenning @alisonstenning.bsky.social · 18h

Not sure when I’ll ever stop posting new metro pics and videos…

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Alison Stenning @alisonstenning.bsky.social · 21h

Playgrounds closing on Sundays used to be the norm, church, decorum and Sunday best usually cited as rationale. Where I am, Sunday closures were eventually abolished as too many children were being injured playing elsewhere (I.e. on the streets).

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Alison Stenning @alisonstenning.bsky.social · 22h

Indeed!

Alison Stenning @alisonstenning.bsky.social · 1d

Yes, this! When organising play streets, we've had people complain about the sound of children playing whilst completing ignoring that, for a few hours, the drone of motors would have abated.

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Alison Stenning @alisonstenning.bsky.social · 1d

This is appalling. It seems the parish council made a mistake, and some adults complained. And it's children and young people who lose out, with plans for a new play space pushed into next year at least.

It's the sound of children playing, FFS.

Pharmacist on a Pushbike @ppushbike.bsky.social · 1d

A play facility that was paid for by community fundraising has been demolished because residents complained about the noise.

They should be ashamed of themselves

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Council demolishes play area after noise complaints - BBC News

Parents in a Derbyshire town say their children are 'devastated' they have lost the facility.

www.bbc.co.uk

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Alison Stenning @alisonstenning.bsky.social · 1d

Badenoch defends Jenrick over comments that he ‘did not see another white face’ in Birmingham – UK politics live

Conservative leader suggests remarks in Guardian report could have been taken out of context and he was ‘making an observation’

www.theguardian.com

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Reposted by Alison Stenning

Best for Britain @bestforbritain.org · 1d

Wow. Robert Jenrick doubles down by branding a black journalist's questions "ridiculous" and saying that the problem is not his comments, but "journalists like you who pop up and try to knock me down", adding that "this is the reason why terrorist attacks happen". ~AA

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Alison Stenning @alisonstenning.bsky.social · 1d

Shame that (as far as I know) North Shields’ landscaping was not designed to be rain gardens/SuDS, as Newcastle’s Northumberland St is.

An information poster explaining rain gardens, on Newcastle’s Northumberland St

How Rain Gardens Will Help Northumberland Street Thrive

The new rain gardens are more than just beautiful - they're designed to support wildlife, wellbeing, and climate resilience.

Boosting Biodiversity
Our planting includes pollinator-friendly species like:
• Echinacea purpurea 'Ruby Giant' and
Achillea 'Terracotta' - magnets for bees and butterflies.
• Verbena bonariensis and Knautia macedonica 'Mars Midget' - tall, airy flowers that provide nectar for pollinators.
These plants create a mini urban ecosystem. supporting pollinators and other beneficial insects right in the heart of the city.

A Feast for the Senses
• Artemisia maritima 'Coca-Cola' - releases a sweet, cola-like scent when touched.
• Foeniculum vulgare 'Smoky - adds a soft aniseed fragrance and feathery texture.
• Allium Purplo Sensation' - bold purple globes that add drama and scent in summer.
Together, these plants create a multi-sensory experience that invites people to pause, breathe, and enjoy.

Designed for Rain
These rain gardens are built to absorb and fiter rainwater, reducing surface flooding and easing pressure on drains. Grasses like:
• Calamagrostis Karl Foerster
• Molinia caerulea
• Sesteria autumnalis
are not only beautiful but also tough, drought-tolerant, and great at soaking up water.

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Alison Stenning @alisonstenning.bsky.social · 1d

Not sure what I think of the long-awaited new seating (by the new planting, on the new paving) on Bedford St, North Shields. I like the varied sizes and locations, and I think I like the blue.

New seating, blue legs and wooden slatted seats, with combinations of single seats and benches placed around planters, on Bedford St, North Shields

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Alison Stenning @alisonstenning.bsky.social · 1d

And the next one was an old train.

Reposted by Alison Stenning

Prof. Ian Walker @ianwalker.bsky.social · 1d

"The single most important behaviour, design or regulation for creating streets conducive to walking and cycling, was physical separation between the modes"

We've got a new study out, learning from a broad mixture of street users, planners and designers

www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...