What's the bloody point?

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What's the bloody point?

by Usksider ^Pro @ Wednesday, 21. Feb, 2007 – 07:10:49

This government wants to charge drivers to use the roads on a per-mile basis: not an all bad idea if the charges per mile are fair, road fund licence is scrapped and tax on fuel reduced (fat chance of any of that happening!).

The public don't like the idea however and 1.8 million people sign a petition to say so.

What does this government do?

Simple - ignore the mood of the public (as usual!); so, nothing new there then...

No decision on national road pricing has yet been made, Tony Blair has said in his e-mail to the 1.8m signatories of the petition opposing a toll scheme.
He says the debate is about tackling congestion and not an effort to introduce a "stealth tax" on motorists.

Funds raised by pilot schemes would be spent on local transport, he added.

Yeah, right. And what are we, the public, supposed to do until there is a viable public transport infrastructure? Carry on as normal, but pay more for the pivilidge that's what. Thank you Mr Blair!

The Labour Party - The Party of the People - NOT
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- faffajane ^Pro
- http://faffajane.blog.co.uk/
- Wednesday, 21. Feb, 2007 @ 07:22:34
I am plughing my way through the email now, printed off and with highlighter in hand - nothing worth bothering about at the moment basically just his justification for going ahead with it! God I hate that man!!!!!!
- - Usksider ^Pro
  - http://www.usksider.co.uk
  - Wednesday, 21. Feb, 2007 @ 07:59:23
  Frustrating isn't it? I'm sure we can all see the need to reduce carbon emissions and congestion, but there are changes to the public transport system that could be put in place to help and should be in place before legislation like this becomes law.
  - - faffajane ^Pro
    - http://faffajane.blog.co.uk/
    - Wednesday, 21. Feb, 2007 @ 09:02:24
    I agree entirely
    - - Usksider ^Pro
      - http://www.usksider.co.uk
      - Wednesday, 21. Feb, 2007 @ 17:31:43
      We are obviously members of the misguided few...
      - faffajane ^Pro
        
        http://faffajane.blog.co.uk/
        
        Wednesday, 21. Feb, 2007 @ 17:53:25
        
        Definately
        
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        Usksider ^Pro
        
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        Wednesday, 21. Feb, 2007 @ 18:12:23
        
        So the question is, what are we going to do about it?
        
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        faffajane ^Pro
        
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        Wednesday, 21. Feb, 2007 @ 18:20:07
        
        Well funny enough this was something I was discussing with hubby earlier in the week. He drives long distances for work and reckons that if it came in it would cost him dearly to travel to work then travel to where he has to carry out his work (he is an electrical engineer) and therefore prices will go up etc etc etc. So we wondered why when the Lorry companies were trying to bring the country to a halt about petrol prices why they are not jumping on the bandwagon about this.
        
        As for what else to do I am still thinking about that one. Public transport is not a viable option for me especially if I have to travel to see my Aunt and Uncle. Also it is likely to afect Britains tourist trade because who will want to travel to anywhere in Britain to stay if it will cost them to get there by paying a congestion charge. Then what do you do about all the foreign cars that come over here now that we are open to Europe who won't have the devices to track them? It is bad enough that they can be on the road a year before they are taxed or MOT'd!
        
        Right I am getting round up now so getting off soapbox sharply. Didn't really answer your question as i really am not sure what to do
        
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        Usksider ^Pro
        
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        Wednesday, 21. Feb, 2007 @ 18:48:24
        
        Your first paragraph raises an interesting point: I'd have thought the trucking companies would be pretty upset by the way things seem to be going too, so why aren't they raising their voices? Maybe they're waiting for something...
        
        The public transport thing is a nonsense. My journey isn't a long one by any means: it's about 12 miles and on a good day it takes me around 15 to 20 minutes to drive to work.
        
        Our local rail station was closed by the nice Mr Beeching. There is a station in the next village, but not many trains stop and there's no bus service so I'd have to drive to get to it (or get very wet walking!).
        
        There is a bus service into the city, but it's not particularly frequent, goes all round the county and I'd have to get another bus at the terminus to get to work. I could walk from the bus station to the university, but it's all up hill and a fair step too so once again I'd be likely to get pretty wet. On a bad day it takes an hour and three quarters to get to work by bus - I know because I've done it.
        
        I used to cycle to work, but for some reason quite beyond me the shower facility I used to use no longer exists (I know, that's a university issue not a government one). So okay I could still cycle to work and arrive hot and sweaty and stay that way all day - how nice for my students!
        
        So that's it, I use my car. Of course I could always move...
        
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        faffajane ^Pro
        
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        Wednesday, 21. Feb, 2007 @ 19:08:21
        
        I could walk my son to school. He needs to be at school by 8.50 am. He is not allowed on the school premises before 8.30 am.
        
        From here I need to walk to work, a school that is 20mins away from sons school, except that I have to be in work by 8.45 if I start early. Of course there are days that I start at 10 and finish at 3.35 - and son finishes school at 3.30. So the only alternative is to take the car as leaving him in school until I walk there is not an option - tried that once and was told that they were not a baby sitting service
        
        I don't cycle, I have no balance.
        
        Catch 22 situation really.
        
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        Usksider ^Pro
        
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        Wednesday, 21. Feb, 2007 @ 19:15:38
        
        Yes indeed. Simply put FJ, "You're stuffed!"
        
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        faffajane ^Pro
        
        http://faffajane.blog.co.uk/
        
        Wednesday, 21. Feb, 2007 @ 19:16:26
        
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- deleted user (Visitor)
- Wednesday, 21. Feb, 2007 @ 09:40:06
And what about people like me? I drive for a living.

There may be trouble ahead.........and I don't mean moonlight and dancing!

GB
- - Usksider ^Pro
  - http://www.usksider.co.uk
  - Wednesday, 21. Feb, 2007 @ 17:35:31
  Not that it's any consolation, but at least you can pass the extra costs on to your customers GB.
  
  I can't imagine there will be anyone in the UK who won't have to pay more for any kind of "driven" service, which means of course the weekly shopping bill will increase exponentially...
  - - deleted user (Visitor)
    - Wednesday, 21. Feb, 2007 @ 17:46:31
    'at least you can pass the extra costs on to your customers'
    
    You may say that U, but some of my clients may decide it's not economically justifiable to use our service anymore. They may just take their own cars or employ a full time chauffeur or rent a car ......I just don't know.
    
    There will probably be instances where there isn't really a viable alternative for them, but I don't know that that will always be the case.
    
    Needs must when the devil drives..........and I bet he won't pay!
    
    GB
    - - Usksider ^Pro
      - http://www.usksider.co.uk
      - Wednesday, 21. Feb, 2007 @ 18:11:02
      Yes it's a teaser and no mistake GB and I really do understand your trepidation.
      
      Truth is though we're going to be stuck with the new charges whether we like it or not and as always there will be winners and losers - many more of the latter of course.
      
      It's a bugger, but what are you going to do? Not just give up, that's for sure.
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- menhir
- Friday, 23. Feb, 2007 @ 21:17:34
You know, Usk, I never realized that not having a decent, reliable and affordable transport infrastructure was a privilege.

You learn something every day...
- - Usksider ^Pro
  - http://www.usksider.co.uk
  - Saturday, 24. Feb, 2007 @ 04:51:59
  Now don't go getting me started again, I've only just calmed down...
  - - menhir
    - Saturday, 24. Feb, 2007 @ 13:12:06
    You should read my flaming book, between us we could hiss for the north!
    
    Sadly, the train crash has overtaken this blog and without knowing for sure, what the cause of the disaster is, the incident underlines the need for proper investment in training in technical and scientific skills as well as the equipment that we, the travelling public are exhorted to use in preference to anything else.
    
    Infrastructure such as exists in the transport networks of mainlain Europe, the main overland/intercontinental lines and the local connecting services, many of them supporting populations in difficult to access villages is a long way off. Although France has the main structures and its cities seem well served, the outer villages seem a bit bereft but even then, it's one day a week as far as I can assess (a Sunday) for the bigger communities. I wonder which country or countries we best compare with for public transport?
    - - Usksider ^Pro
      - http://www.usksider.co.uk
      - Sunday, 25. Feb, 2007 @ 05:22:26
      Seems to me nothing has changed since the day our public transport system was de-nationalised, except everything is so much worse than it once was.
      
      I'm well aware our rail network was inefficient, badly managed and expensive to maintain, but at least you could get from A to B safely, with the minimum of fuss and were almost guaranteed a seat without having to pay extra for it only to have to turf someone else out of said seat when you board the train!
      
      Who do we best compare to? I don't know, let me see; is there a public transport network on Mars?
      - menhir
        
        Sunday, 25. Feb, 2007 @ 11:03:27
        
        Your last question - I will leave you to research it.
        
        There is no doubt that the Beeching cuts were misguided and caused the initial set of unintended consequences (or were some of them, unintended?) They were cuts without a proper assessment of the transport infrastructure and certainly there was absolutely no concern or weight given to social needs. Plus ca change in that regard.
        
        We are now reaping the 'benefits' of the added layer of over-privatisation, which in itself was a slide back to the origins of rail companies who could never work together to provide an efficient, joined up transport system. The biggest difference was that there were more major and minor lines to sell off to obtain short-term profits for Conservative government coffers, and give opportunities to business, business which, could not work in the way that benefitted and supported the economic needs of a whole country. Asset stripping and neglect of customer needs, health and safety is, we know, what followed.
        
        The only method of returning the systems to a central body without the need to pay out punitive amounts of cash as a pay-off, a body that works with a global view of the complexities, was to watch the different companies fail in their contracts. Again, we know to our cost what that did, there were many horrendous accidents that highlighted the neglect, the cavalier attitudes to health and safety, and the lack of desire of corporate businesses to develop skills, offer training and keep some reserves of expertise available.
        
        Thatcher's maxim was that the market would provide, it did not and it certainly was not going to spend on the kinds of research and development that could be bought in elsewhere. But that was not a suitable vehicle for on the spot and hands-on, ongoing support for our systems.
        
        Maintaining skills and expertise would not have detracted from the requirement to move with the times, come into the IT age and use the new facilities with all their exciting potential, except for one thing: at least three generations of training and development were lost, we have adult generations who could not access sound skills training because it did not exist. Schools were starved of equipment and expertise in all walks of life, was rewarded with denigration. (Shades of Chairman Mao!) Business, ergo the market, did not provide and wasn't going to.
        
        Where are we now? In a nutshell, not quite down the tubes, but in a position where some resorative training is being attempted with people excluded from earlier generations and new under-written training schemes that may may give the present generation a chance to be included in society. How has that come about? In part, through the dreadful experiences of failed policies we have all lived through, and in larger part because the EEC demands our tradesmen, semi-skilled and skilled workers have appropriate and recognisable levels of certification and registration which require universal approval by authorised bodies.
        
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        Usksider ^Pro
        
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        Sunday, 25. Feb, 2007 @ 14:20:10
        
        Seems to me you've summed the situation up pretty succinctly.
        And you're right; we may well be up shit creek, but we do still have a paddle...
        
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        menhir
        
        Sunday, 25. Feb, 2007 @ 15:15:52
        
        An industrial revolution would have come about in all liklihood, there were certain aspects to society and life in general that were at a worrying anarchic and luddite level. Dealing with those issues did not warrant the de-skilling of a nation.
        
        Let's hope the paddle will be constructively used and the momentum of continuing education,training and the development of expertise will be part of the paddling. It has to be, our skills base is coming up to, or is at retirement age.
        
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        Usksider ^Pro
        
        http://www.usksider.co.uk
        
        Monday, 26. Feb, 2007 @ 18:34:26
        
        Retirement seems like an excellent option to me, but of course that's not really the answer. Those of us with skills to pass on would be well advised to do so before it's all too late.
        
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        menhir
        
        Monday, 26. Feb, 2007 @ 19:51:56
        
        The title of this blog has become highly pertinent, hasn't it. Just a poignant reminder of what is...
        
        You're right of course, about passing on skills, but...
        
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        Usksider ^Pro
        
        http://www.usksider.co.uk
        
        Tuesday, 27. Feb, 2007 @ 06:10:00
        
        Yes I know - just pinch me, I might even wake up!
        
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- deleted user (Visitor)
- Saturday, 24. Feb, 2007 @ 13:37:11
oh bugger tony bloody blair.....he is such a pain in the arse....it will get the labour government kicked out anyhow...and then where will we be. Otherwise...I think riots are the order of the day....lots and lots of riots....us Brits are far too passive....we should learn from the outraged French...they always make a hoohah.....
- - Usksider ^Pro
  - http://www.usksider.co.uk
  - Sunday, 25. Feb, 2007 @ 05:34:33
  So true Mum, though of course we'd never partake in anything so uncivilised would we? After all, we the public don't actually know what we want and would know what was good for us if it came up and bit us on the bum. No, we just like to sit back and moan about it!
  
  Where the heck did I leave that pitchfork anyway? Can’t march sensibly without one...
  - - deleted user (Visitor)
    - Sunday, 25. Feb, 2007 @ 08:09:29
    pitchforks.....excellent....very useful....especially if you //hone// the //tines// to a good sharp edge/point can be used to make toast on the bonfire the Houses of Parliament will be after the riots....
    - - Usksider ^Pro
      - http://www.usksider.co.uk
      - Sunday, 25. Feb, 2007 @ 08:17:27
      Mmmmmm.....
      Hot buttered toast....
      Just the thing to go with my cuppa.
      - deleted user (Visitor)
        
        Sunday, 25. Feb, 2007 @ 08:22:13
        
        mm....hot buttered fruit bread.....oh I'm going to copy the Ancient Mariner before I forget again....brain is really hopeless these days....
        
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        Usksider ^Pro
        
        http://www.usksider.co.uk
        
        Sunday, 25. Feb, 2007 @ 08:26:32
        
        I haven't had fruit bread in ages
        Nor malt loaf...
        
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        deleted user (Visitor)
        
        Sunday, 25. Feb, 2007 @ 08:53:48
        
        oh its good stuff.....havent got any though but am now starving so will be raiding larder shortly with wild look in my eye
        
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        Usksider ^Pro
        
        http://www.usksider.co.uk
        
        Sunday, 25. Feb, 2007 @ 13:48:29
        
        Hope you managed to find something interesting - had to settle for some lovely pork & herb sausages myself.
        
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        deleted user (Visitor)
        
        Monday, 26. Feb, 2007 @ 11:25:41
        
        Ha! only found an egg to fry and some beanzy weanzy... but that was better than nothing....
        
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        Usksider ^Pro
        
        http://www.usksider.co.uk
        
        Monday, 26. Feb, 2007 @ 18:28:38
        
        I'd have swapped you a suasage for an egg...
        
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        deleted user (Visitor)
        
        Tuesday, 27. Feb, 2007 @ 08:08:24
        
        oh bless! well next time then eh?
        
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        Usksider ^Pro
        
        http://www.usksider.co.uk
        
        Tuesday, 27. Feb, 2007 @ 18:02:38
        
        I'll hold you to that.
        
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- Goddesss ^Pro
- Saturday, 24. Feb, 2007 @ 22:42:03
Well, that's the right way to get re elected! You're government sounds as popular and loved as ours (in Australia).
Totally outrageous.
- - Usksider ^Pro
  - http://www.usksider.co.uk
  - Sunday, 25. Feb, 2007 @ 05:42:19
  It never ceases to amaze me how these people seem to forget; we elected them in and can just as easily elect them out again...
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- Goddesss ^Pro
- Monday, 26. Feb, 2007 @ 10:18:54
Exactly!
Unless of course they're as corrupt as the Bush regime where even when they lose, they win!!
- - Usksider ^Pro
  - http://www.usksider.co.uk
  - Monday, 26. Feb, 2007 @ 18:30:24
  Blair and Bush are cut from the same mould...
  - - Goddesss ^Pro
    - Monday, 26. Feb, 2007 @ 19:53:04
    I think Howard is too, tho' he may still have his training wheels on!
    - - Usksider ^Pro
      - http://www.usksider.co.uk
      - Tuesday, 27. Feb, 2007 @ 06:02:36
      They all have to start somewhere...
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What's the bloody point?

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