northernboy

This might seem a bit weird, but I'd like to get hold of a copy of this picture to give someone as a gift. Long story, there is a joke behind it, I know it's not the world's best picture but I'd still like to find a copy. http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2455/4058932906_2a4dcaa63a_b.jpg Anyone got any ideas who the artist is, or where I might be able to get a copy? Ta!

I usually catch a Stagecoach bus home and there is also a First service on the same route. This week I've noticed that "my" Stagecoach has been absolutely packed, I've had to stand for at least part of my journey. I wonder if people are actively choosing Stagecoach over First?

From FirstGroup website All South Yorkshire Strikes on First Buses Suspended Following discussions between First South Yorkshire and the Unite Union today (Friday 9 October), strike action, planned on First buses in South Yorkshire on the next three Mondays 12, 19 and 26 October, has been suspended. The suspension of strike action in Sheffield, Rotherham and Doncaster means that First buses will now be running normally on Monday (12th October) and on subsequent Mondays. The news follows on from yesterdays industrial action resolution when Unite suspended planned strikes on First buses in Sheffield on Thursday 15, Friday 16 and Saturday 17 October after a compromise offer on disciplinary issues. In todays negotiations, First has offered the following pay deal " which the Union has strongly recommended its members to accept to resolve all the South Yorkshire industrial relations disputes. This includes: 1) To settle the outstanding accrued holiday issue at full rate (£9.13) this year in a lump-sum payment in December 2) A pay increase of 2.5% in April 2010 3) A one-off additional holiday in 2010/11 (as initially requested) 4) Additional subsidies for staff canteens in Sheffield, Rotherham and Doncaster Bob Hamilton, Managing Director of First South Yorkshire said, "I am happy that we have been able to negotiate with the Union and reach a compromise that is acceptable to both parties, pending ratification by local Union members. "First South Yorkshire cannot afford a pay rise this year but has worked hard to deliver a good 2-year offer that means our passengers will avoid being inconvenienced by strike action on First buses. This package helps protect the business and our staff during these tough economic conditions. "I am especially pleased that, during tough economic times, we have managed to prevent strikes that would have had major implications for a number of local businesses.'

Hi Burnsie - I would recommend getting the Stagecoach 43 or 44 - they follow the 53 route as far as Lowfield school then nip off down Bramall Lane, onto Eyre Street then right at the roundabout ending up at the interchange, much much quicker than the 76 and fewer people get on so more likely to get a seat!

Interestingly the pedestrian crossing by Graves Park mini golf course behaves exactly like this, so there is obviously some sort of setting in the crossing which controls the time delay between the button being pressed and the lights changing. I also remember reading about crossings with sensors so that (a) the traffic lights stay red for as long as people take to cross, then go green when people have finished crossing (b) if someone presses the button and then walks away, the request is cancelled and the traffic lights stay green Whatever happened to these?

I can confirm that the machine will accept any card, or at least it did when I last used it - admittedly this was quite a few months back so the rules might have changed since then.

My mum goes on their trips all the time, she loves them! I think they are aimed at the slightly older customer. A lot of the customers are "regulars" and go on lots of trips with them. And they bring round cups of tea and a box of biscuits!

I know that the planting in Graves Park always looks fabulous, and the team who look after it are always happy to have a chat when I show an interest, to answer my questions or explain a bit more about what they are doing. I think they do a fabulous job.

As long it it doesn't come anywhere near me, I don't mind!

Yes - stayed there for one night (but wish we had stayed longer!) - room was fantastic, breakfast was AMAZING, didn't have time to try out the pool etc but they looked wonderful.

I think it's £6.50 (it's ok for me, we can claim half back from work!)

I think it looks fantastic and can't wait to go on it! If anyone's not seen it, I've posted some photos on Flickr

The answer is yes, they will give you a refund for the difference - done this several times for me.

Tried match.com on and off, met a few dates but nothing serious, then decided to give it one last go... met up with my "special someone", we are now living together and blissfully happy!! So yes, sometimes they do work!

Ok, thanks for taking the time to reply. Does anyone else have anything please?

Thanks for that - I'd really like to see a plan of where the seat numbers are within the carriage, does anyone have one of these or know where I might find one? Thanks.

Hi Does anyone know where I could see a seating plan for the East Midlands trains that run from Sheffield to London - specifically interested in the first class carriage (I think this is coach G) Tried Googling but not found anything. Thanks for your help!

I wondered what was going on - I got on a 25A bus at the Peace Gardens at about 4.05 and suddenly all these people with microphones came running up singing Amarillo - one of them got on the bus and passed the microphone to the driver trying to get him to sing! There was a guy with a camera filming this so maybe he'll make it on the telly!

I know, they are absolutely ridiculous! I've heard that the council get funding from somewhere (Europe?) if they include cycle provision when repairing the road, don't know if that's true but maybe that would explain it?

Same happened to me, just needs lots of rest UNLESS you start coughing up blood, then get it sorted straight away!

Personally I can recommend Paul Kirk, 0114 23953534 or 07709 641625 - did a first-class job for us.

So which is better : 1. bus pulls in at stop, traffic can't get past, sits there with exhausts pumping out gases for the pedestrians to breathe in 2. bus pulls in at stop, road is wide enough for traffic to overtake while bus is stationary. Maybe all the bus stops should be set into wider areas of road, like they've done with those parking bays? I would still support "proper" bus lanes at peak times though, as long as they are enforced so that people don't ignore the restrictions and park in them regardless. As an iside, I think it's interesting that the majority of people who live in the area who expressed an opinion say that the road layout doesn't work, while the experts who don't live in the area seem to think it's a success. I don't have the facts and figures to support either side but I've lived here for 36 years and I know that the traffic now is slower and more congested than at any time I've known and the road is the narrowest it's been in my recollection. Ok, those two things may not be connected (and I accept that the number of vehicles on the road has increased each year), but my own experiences tell me that since the road was narrowed, my journey takes longer - that's a fact.

Hmm, depends how you define "free flow" I suppose - if it means "long queues of very slow moving traffic at busy times" then yes. Unless you're trying to drive through it of course, in which case it's a nightmare - and I include bus passengers, as we have to queue up with all the cars (I generally travel by bus whenever I can), which I why I would support a separate bus lane. Can't be much fun for the pedestrians breathing in all the fumes from the slow moving/stationary traffic either!

Never? I've got some old photos that definitely show two lanes of traffic in either direction (although I suppose they may have just been overtaking at the time the photo was taken). Either way, the road was wide enough to accommodate two lanes. These days the pavements are wider than the road in places, not good for such a well-used route into the city centre.

How about restoring the road to two lanes in both directions like it used to be? Then one of those lanes could be a bus lane in peak times. The traffic was a lot better before "they" starting messing with the road layout!