Author Archives: TTL

TTLs first online Transition Tuesday – A Summary of the Discussion

Posted on by May 18, 2020

Our 12th May 2020 Transition Tuesday started with a short presentation reflecting on how changes to tackle COVID-19 could be a stepping stone to repairing our climate and the possible initiatives TTL could take forward, based on our recent blog. Attendees then discussed a number of potential project areas. Encouraging Increased Cycling Post-Lockdown The plans to bring forward cycling infrastructure in cities across the world, including London was reported. Extinction Rebellions’ request for people to chalk cycle lanes on the road and then ride them this coming weekend was explained. It was suggested that it would be worth getting a … more

What Climate Repair Lessons can we Learn from the COVID-19 crisis?

Posted on by May 7, 2020

Can changes that have been introduced to tackle COVID-19 provide a stepping-stone to building a more resilient society / community? This paper introduces some ideas that will be discussed and built upon at Transition Town Letchworth’s Online Transition Tuesday planned for the 12 May 2020 (using zoom). The paper: Provides a wider reflection on COVID-19 and climate repair, Considers some of the threats and weaknesses to long term climate repair resulting from the COVID-19 crisis, Explores what topics Transition Town Letchworth, as a local organisation, can work on to build a more resilient local economy and the world that we … more

Lifestyle changes to limit Covid-19 also help to repair our climate

Posted on by April 20, 2020

We are in the grip of the Covid-19 crisis. It is restricting us in all areas of life, and causes so much suffering. But we know it will pass, and afterwards we will re-orient ourselves. Other topics will re-emerge, one of which will certainly be climate change. How will we look back and reflect then? Here a few numbers on our carbon footprints, and what effect the current restrictions have on it. Taking into account UK production and import of goods, the average person in the UK produces 12 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2e) per year. To gradually achieve … more

What next for our waste collections?

Posted on by April 20, 2020

Due to Coronavirus staff shortages NHDC has taken the decision to suspend food waste collections and the garden waste service. Over a two week period we used to have five separate collections from our properties and this is now reduced to two. If an alternative solution had been proposed of a three weekly service on all bin types would this have been preferred? Many of us I suspect have space in our bins to go three or even four weeks before collections, and if we squash packaging a bit more before it goes in the bin we could make better … more

Transition Town Letchworth Response to the Hertfordshire Rail Strategy Revision (2019)

Posted on by April 20, 2020

Transition Town Letchworth have reviewed the strategy in terms of how it will support users and potential users of Letchworth rail service. Pricing and Service Levels We are supportive of the strategy with regard to its aspirations for service levels and fares and ticketing. We would encourage the earliest possible spread of Pay-As-You-Go ticketing across the county to help ensure people have the best access to tickets and lowest cost fares. Effective demand management can only occur if public transport fares are competitive with car journey costs. The Rail Strategy needs to include, for popular routes, periodic analysis comparing public … more

TTL at Pic ‘n’ Mix

Posted on by April 20, 2020

TTL Chair Peter Willcox reports on his visit on 11th March 2020 Pic ‘n’ Mix is a monthly meeting at, and arranged by, Letchworth Library, open to everyone, but aimed at people who may be lonely. Speakers are invited to talk about their area of expertise, or introduce a craft activity. TTL were invited to speak, and I took it on. I gave a very brief introduction to the Transition Movement’s aim of facilitating the Transition to a low energy economy. I said that I hoped they all believed that the climate is changing, caused by humankind, and that anybody … more

Supporting Letchworth School Children To Get On Their Bikes

Posted on by February 4, 2020

Wilbury school pupils have been celebrating the installation of their new cycle and scooter parking. Joining the children to celebrate were Glyn Holt and Peter Willcox from Transition Town Letchworth,  Cllr Martin Stears-Handscomb (NHDC Council Leader,) and Cllr Steve Jarvis (NHDC Executive member for Environment and Leisure). Wilbury School Head, Ms Atkins and PE teacher, Mr March are also shown with Elwen, Chris, Tylor, Alfie and Charlie from Wilbury School who cycled and scootered to school. Wilbury is the tenth school to benefit from a project which has been jointly delivered by Transition Town Letchworth and North Hertfordshire District Council. The project has increased cycle and scooter parking at Letchworth schools by using S106 … more

Letchworth’s New Years Community Litter Pick

Posted on by February 4, 2020

The Plastic Free Letchworth team were out for their first litter pick of the year on Sunday, cleaning up an area of the Greenway where it borders the town’s industrial estate. Glyn Holt, who was there with his daughter Ffion told us, “it was great to have other families helping out on what was a FRESH frosty morning. During the hour and a half we had no trouble filling ALL the reusable bags that ‘Surfers Against Sewage’ provide to Plastic Free Communities. The area is clearly a popular place for a snack, and we found a range of single-use take … more

Responding to the Government Part L and F Consultation

Posted on by February 4, 2020

One of Transition Town Letchworth’s area of interest is reducing the carbon associated with both existing and new housing stock. We have been eagerly awaiting the update to Part L of the Building Standards in the hope that this legislative driver would fill the gap left by dropping the Code for Sustainable Homes and move the UK swiftly to the position where all newly built homes are capable of being operated as affordable zero carbon homes. UK builders already have access to the technology and materials to build zero carbon dwellings, and we believe this is what the 2020 update … more