The UK’s third High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane opened along the A47 Heartlands Spine Road today, hoping to ease some of the morning rush-hour congestion. The HOV lane is just like a bus lane, running along one side of the road, which is only supposed to be used by cars containing at least two people. Although the council webpage says that police will be enforcing the rule and issuing penalties to perpetrators, I can’t see this being very effective unless the fines are steep enough (no mention of the amount?).

I remember when I lived in Texas the HOV lane was a separate lane in the middle of the highway, with concrete walls on either side. Entrances / exits were only every 5 miles or so, so other drivers couldn’t just nip in-and-out as they pleased. On the whole I think it was very useful, although it did mean that if there was a big accident inside the lane then you were quite stuck until the mess could be cleared up.

Although I don’t think the A47 is quite as busy as, say, the A38, hopefully this trial will prove successful so they can roll it in other places. Anything that makes the commute quicker and easier is a good thing in my books!

A link from a Google Maps lead me to discover that this weekend is “International Cleanup Weekend”. Anyone fancy organising or joining in a clean-up somewhere in Brum?

Ever wondered when they’d invent bio technology for Cars? It all seems light years away – but the revolution has started here in Bilston! It’s finally here, an immobiliser that starts the car only if it recognises the fingerprint of the driver. It’s going into production soon, and costs £350 to install onto your car, and for the almost guaranteed safety of your car (unfortunately nothing is ever 100%) I would get spending. But I don’t have a car :(

But most of all let it be known that it was first invented in Bilston, the BLACK COUNTRY, which I SUPPOSE comes under Birmingham. How great are we brummies?
(more…)

“Automated Home” reports that Bromsgrove-based electrical products producer Byron has won a contract to supply B&Q with a range of home automation products from it’s “Home Easy” range. The products should start appearing in all 330 B&Q stores nationwide, starting from September 17th.

I’ve had my eye on various methods of home automation for a while now, using X10 modules for a few different trivial tasks. So far I haven’t tried rigging up anything more adventurous than remote control light switches & fans. I’ll have to take a look at the Byron stuff once it hits B&Q and try something new!

They knocked down the HP Building! Can you believe it? Once again people are moaning about how the culture of Birmingham is being lost to advancement.

But isn’t this what Brummies voted for all those years ago?

While they’re all wondering where to hang up the HP Sign, I just can’t help but wonder where all that culture is gone. I was wandering in WHSmith, and ended up in the vintage section. There was a book with loads of pictures of Birmingham before the second world war. It was actually quite beautiful. It still is. It was only then that the next time I walked along the tree lined New Street, instead of looking ahead at what was worse than Gucci for sale at a flea market, I looked up at the buildings. It’s all still there. Actually it all still reminds me of New Orleans.

The next time you’re in the city centre, look up at the buildings. Sure enough a lot of the old buildings were knocked down, but the old (and very subtle) layers of the city are still there, so take time out to remember the efforts that created our home.

phew… apologies for the lack of updates around here. I’ve just bought my first house, up in Erdington and currently in the throes of moving stuff in and getting it organised. But hopefully it won’t just be up to me to keep this place active, as I’d like to introduce the Birmingham metblog’s latest blogger: Jeevan Singh. Jeevan has lived in Birmingham for a couple of years now and tells me he’s done quite a bit of travelling in his time, so I’m sure he’ll have an interesting take on what’s going on in and around Birmingham.

Welcome, Jeevan!

I’m not sure if this appeared for every Yahoo! user, but today I received a message from Yahoo! travel featuring none other than our very own Brum!

there’s no pretending that Birmingham is packed with interesting sights – it isn’t, though – along with its first-rate restaurant scene and nightlife – it’s well worth a day or two – at least.

Nice!

Two new Birmingham blogs hitting the blogosphere:

Up Yer Brum is a digg-like site, on which you can decide what stories / photos / video clips you want to see on the site.
and
About Brum looks like a smaller site, but with a similar idea to promote the best of Birmingham!

yay!

A bit late notice, but if you’re in the area:

NHS staff from Birmingham’s Stop Smoking Project are in Brindleyplace today, with carbon monoxide testers, competition details and free goody bags! Oooh!

Based in Central Square, they will be giving advice, information and offering support to anyone who is considering trying to stop smoking. Brindleyplace is continuing to run Stop Smoking Clinics in Bannatynes Health Club (what used to be the Livingwell Gym in Brindleyplace #4) every Tuesday morning & Thursday afternoon.

A bit late notice, but if you’re in the area:

NHS staff from Birmingham’s Stop Smoking Project are in Brindleyplace today, with carbon monoxide testers, competition details and free goody bags! Oooh!

Based in Central Square, they will be giving advice, information and offering support to anyone who is considering trying to stop smoking. Brindleyplace is continuing to run Stop Smoking Clinics in Bannatynes Health Club (what used to be the Livingwell Gym in Brindleyplace #4) every Tuesday morning & Thursday afternoon.