Due to climate change, the train now standing is going nowhere

The BBC reports that a new study by Scientists and Network Rail has revealed that the UK's rail network could be at severe risk from the effects of climate change.

The problem stems from the increased likelihood of landslides and floods, which, during the wet winter of 2000-2001 caused a higher frequency of major problems to the rail network.

Now the report is warning of travel chaos if steps aren't taken to tackle the problem.

One of the most 'at risk' areas is the South-East, where much of the rail network is built on soft clay - particularly prone to landslides.

Network Rail engineers concluded that half of the UK's 6000 miles of railway cuttings and embankments were in a "poor" or "marginal" condition making them especially vulnerable to extreme weather.

Already this year, eight people were injured when a train derailed near Glasgow following a landslide caused by heavy rain, whilst in a separate incident, a rock fall blocked a line in Dorset causing major delays.

Read the full BBC article by clicking here.

photo credit: ray devlin

Wettest Winter prompts Rain Water Harvesting poser

Barry Nutley over at You Gen's Blog asks the question - If every house had it's own rainwater harvesting system, would we still have floods?

It's an interesting question and one Barry couldn't find an answer to.

However, when you read his case for installing you're own rainwater harvesting system, then you start to wonder if removing much of the surface water from the equation might be one answer.

Rainwater harvesting is where you have your own mini-reservoir, perhaps buried under your garden, which all your guttering etc feeds water to rather than into the main sewers.

Although this water can't be used for drinking, it can be used to flush toilets etc or any other non-potable use.

Barry finishes his piece by asking another question - Surely the cost of installing rainwater harvesting systems in homes would cost less than the endless flood defences and clearing up operations?

Read the full article here.

photo credit: brianforbes37