London Eye set to be greener

As the row concerning MPs' rumbles on, you could be forgiven for thinking that there are no other news worthy stories in the UK at the moment. The concept of 'waste' - in this case a misuse of taxpayers' money - and the damage it does is central to the arguments surrounding the electorate's representatives who sit at the new Palace of Westminster. Everyone of us wastes precious resources without necessarily thinking about it (though we don't have the chance to claim it back on expenses).

I found it heartening to read that the London Eye is going to be doing its bit for the environment in a £12.5 million programme, which will see heating and ventilation improved in each of the attraction's 32 capsules. The BBC website reported that the upgrade is due to begin this summer and be completed in 2012. Visitors enjoying a flight on the Eye enjoy wonderful views of London.

The London Eye first opened to the public in February 2000. Each capsule is deigned to afford visitors a 25 mile view across the British capital's skyline. More than 33million visitors have enjoyed a flight on the London Eye since it first opened.

Independent minded travellers can hear about the history of some of the sights that they can see from the London Eye with a Walk Talk Tour London tour guide. There are five podcast guided tours of London. Each Walk Talk Tour guide of London is available in English, French, German and Spanish. Hear about the history behind a building popularly known as the Gherkin with the City and the Tower audio tour or the City & South Bank Circular audio guide. Hear more about the Houses of Parliament with the Palace Trail city guide.

Going walk about with a Walk Talk Tour is a healthy and stimulating way to enjoy the sights. And of course listeners are helping to reduce their carbon footprint as they enjoy exploring London on their own terms. Unlike a conventional guided tour, listeners to a Walk Talk Tour city guide have the flexibility to see the sights at their own pace. Stopping to visit a particular attraction or enjoy refreshments is easy when you are your own boss.

As long as you have a comfortable pair of shoes, an iPod, MP3 player or MP3 enabled phone/BlackBerry you are free to go walk about with a Walk Talk Tour.

Pictured above is St Stephen's Clock Tower, commonly called Big Ben (though that's the name of the bell not the tower), the equestrian statue depicts King Charles I. Listeners to the Palace Trail can hear about both and much more besides.