Young sir, you are again prone to a little exaggeration, the odd fillet steak or even Beef Wellington, perhaps followed by a glass of port, is hardly a rock n roll lifestyle !

This is very sad, but I feel that the deceased was largely to blame for this accident.
 Learning points include, do not get stupidly drunk.
After moderate drinking be especially careful near trains and near roads.
There seems little that London transport could have done to prevent this accident, perhaps exclude those who are very drunk from underground stations !

I have been known to drink too much, but never to the point of placing myself or others in significant danger.

Have just observed that short HST^▸ (High Speed Train (Inter City class 43 125 units)) is stabled near Minehead station, adjacent to the Seaward lane level crossing.
Is just being stored ? or is the intention to use it.

Yes, but my point was not in reference to the quality of arc furnace steel, but referred to the problems in supplying enough electricity at an affordable price and without interfering with the supply to other customers.

Electric arc furnaces are very useful for recycling of scrap steel, but are not used for production of new material from iron ore.
They also consume a great amount of electricity, and there are already concerns as to the adequacy of UK^▸ (United Kingdom) electricity supplies.
UK electricity is very expensive, and is arguably overpriced, this wont encourage widespread use.

Arc furnaces are also a very "disturbing" load and often require expensive grid upgrades so as to minimise adverse effects on existing customers.

Was not aware of that, thanks for the update.

Doubts have been raised as to the availability of suitable and sufficient coke to run the blast furnaces.
Whilst HMG have guaranteed payment for the fuel, that does not ensure physical availability.
I doubt that coke already in transit in russian or chinese ships will be available, expect mechanical breakdowns, delays, diversion to other ports or non compliant paperwork.
Air freight might even have to be used.

Parliament have been recalled and are sitting on a SATURDAY, which is exceptional.
It looks as though the steel works are being nationalised. Very unusually, the emergency legislation includes provision for government representatives to enter the plant by force if need be.

I doubt that all stations will EVER be fully accessible.
As soon as there is any risk of the target being met, then "fully accessible"  will be re-defined so as to require furthur work.

Disability access is a huge industry, that wont accept being closed down once the target has been met. Therefore an ever moving target will be needed.

Each time that a lock is used, water runs down hill, and a continual supply of new water is therefore needed to the upper reaches of the canal.
Could some of this water not be re-used ? It should be relatively simple to install a pipeline along the canal so as to pump some water from the bottom of the canal to the pound or reservoir at the top. There is no need to return ALL the water to the top, just enough to avoid shortages.
Either use off peak grid power for this pumping, and pump only in the off peak hours at a much reduced cost, or alternatively power the pumps from an array of PV modules installed for the purpose, and pump only during hours of sunlight.

More air travel ! That will help with the climate emergency.

No licence was needed to drive a "coach and four" on the public road, so why should a new fangled horseless carriage be different ?

A horseless carriage should be simpler, no multiple reins to become tangled, no concerns regarding other road users spooking the horses, no risk of a horse loosing a shoe.

My late grandmother drove for years and had never passed a driving test ! She started driving a car before passing a test was required.
A driving licence was required, but this was simply purchased from a post office, no test required.

I would support subsidising iron and steel manufacture, as such industries are of strategic importance. We need steel not just for railways but also shipbuilding and construction.
In wartime we need steel to manufacture weapons. Even in peacetime some steel is needed to repair, replace and update weapons and military equipment.
We should not be reliant on potential enemies, or even on uncertain allies for basic strategic materials.

Did not know that hitachi built ferries.