The map is not the territory

From news.bbc.co.uk …

Transport for London have released a revised tube map. They've added symbols for disabled access to the default map instead of making it a separate one. So far, so good. But they've removed the Thames. Now I've been a lover of Harry Beck's design since I first saw it as a child, and it is worth noting that the river has been a part of the schematic map since it was first created, back in 1931. Even the awful Hutchison redesign of November 1962 didn't try to remove it, so why TfL thought it was the right thing to do now I've really no idea. You have to go back to the Stringemore map of 1926 to find a tube map without the river of London marked. There are further issues with the revised map such as the inclusion of the former East London Line, marked as the future London Overground yet showing a station which will not exist on the new line and terminating at what will become through stations! Come on TfL; get your act together and bring back our river!

I still have a soft spot

From www.totalpolitics.com …

Ken is someone I 'grew up with' in many ways; first his stint taking over the GLC and then more recently his founding of the GLA. I always thought it highly amusing that where County Hall — the seat of the GLC — was directly opposite Westminster, City Hall — where the GLA was eventually based — was well out of sight of the Houses of Parliament, over by Tower Bridge. Indeed, being on the opposite bank of the river to the Tower of London there were moments when I expected someone to shout "Off with his head!" Now, in an interview with the doyen of Tory pundits, Iain Dale, he is letting us know he isn't out for the count and intends to stand again for London leader. I cant — quite — decide whether to wish him well. That he has done (or tried to do) many good things in his time at the GLC and GLA is beyond question so far as I am concerned. Whether he should be welcomed back for a third bite of the cherry I'n not so sure.