Gas Pipeline Woes
A rainbow rose over the pipeline today!
I must admit I loathe the thing. It’s a great example of the way that big corporate culture rules this country and steam-rollers everything in its way, be that our heritage (Roman road found at gas pipeline) or our opinions (Final pipeline protester removed).
It is also an example of our government’s inability to join any two thoughts together. They talk zero carbon, they talk green then allow this monstrosity to cut a wide swathe across some of our most ancient and beautiful countryside, bringing a dwindling supply of gas to fuel our inefficient heating systems in our poorly designed & insulated homes.
(Aside: I wonder if the same thing would happen across the Cotswolds with its weekend deluge of migratory Range Rovers?)
In relation to the barn, it cuts its way across the countryside all around, making a half circle around us, but thankfully not coming too close, the drone of diggers and clank of machinery a counterpoint to the bird song.
We drove to Warwickshire along the M50 last weekend and there it was, poking its yellow serpentine head towards us a Newent.
(Another Aside: I’m sure as a work of engineering it’s very impressive and a great achievement – but what if all that effort had been put into something really worthwhile?)
It’s obvious that there’s no stopping it now, so I’ve resigned myself to it and just look forward to it disappearing beneath the ground and to the landscape being restored (as has been promised). Then perhaps that rainbow could be truly enjoyed.
If you enjoyed that post, then read these...
Design Patterns ~ my choices on November 29th, 2007
I’ve already written about one of my favourite building design books – ‘.
Building Progress ~ March 2008, week 1 & 2 on March 16th, 2008
We've now arrived at the stage where I need to get start getting services installed into the fabric of the building - first fix electrics and plumbing.
Oak Beams? ~ You must be barking! on May 14th, 2007
When working through the detailed design for the barn we decided to use oak beams to support the first floor rather than steels.
Firm Foundations? on July 20th, 2007
I’ve had a few concerns about the foundations of the barn, specifically how much of the soil that has built up around the walls we will be able to clear to install new drains and discourage damp without exposing the foundations.
Building Progress ~ January 2008, week 4 on January 27th, 2008
At the moment, my life seems to be dominated by lintels - oak or concrete, big or small.
Posted in Journal of my barn conversion |
December 5th, 2007 at 2:22 pm
It’s so true isn’t it! If this were to happen in a richer area it would be slated and the concept would be destroyed. Some of my friends were protesting at various places en route and the locals were so welcoming and just relieved that someone was listening to their side! I’m afraid the greenwash continues when you consider the proposed barrage which will destroy the Severn and whilst it might produce 5% of current electricity requirements it will have produced an awful lot of carbon in the process!