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IF Iain Camick chooses to rubbish the overwhelming weight of world scientific opinion on climate change and global warming in order to bolster his otherwise feeble arguments against congestion charging, then so be it (May 5).
However, before he puts too much money on the proposition that it is all part of a Labour tax con, I would suggest that he does a little checking of facts first.
For a start, he could do worse than look at information from the Met Office's Hadley Centre for Climate Research and Forecasting.
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The centre has a very interesting website which entirely bears out my contentions.
I do not make Labour Party policy, locally or nationally, on this or any other topic.
However, if I did, there would be none of this nonsense about referendums, for a start.
Even if the net yield from congestion charging, minus operating costs, were to be returned to motorists in the form of lower fuel tax or reduced vehicle excise duty, I would still be arguing strongly in its favour.
The reason for this is simple - congestion is increasing, year on year.
Even now, it only needs a single incident on a key highway to gridlock traffic over a wide area.
Congestion charging is the only way that we can reduce the tendency of the highway network to gridlock.
Removing from the network those journeys which can be made at other times, or by other means, will actually make things easier for people who have no option but to use their cars to commute during the rush hour.
Unless we bite this particular bullet, highway congestion can only get worse. And it will get worse - just as it has for the past 20 years and more.
Posted by: Bolton Reader, Bolton on 10:24am Thu 8 May 08
[bold][quote]"Removing from the network those journeys which can be made at other times, or by other means, will actually make things easier for people who have no option but to use their cars to commute during the rush hour."[/quote][/bold]
Stop the school run look how traffic flows when children are not at school.
Why do primary school pupils need to be taken by car to school when these schools are usually within walking distance.
Why have buses going all over the Borough transporting ill mouthed juveniles when there are secondary schools within walking distance.
Why do not buses run for people to get to work when they need them not when the bus companies think they need them e.g. 95 from Darcy Lever at 08.20 for a 09.00 start, next one is 09.00 so people arrive at work 30 minutes early, same on return in the evenings, at least 20 minute wait if on time.
Travelling to Manchester by rail is even worse, two coach trains with standing room only at 06.50, one coach trains serving the Blackburn line, three coach trains with most of one coach only for those who can afford "first class fares".
All this is down to politicians like yourself Mr Johnstone (ex councillor) thinking they know best and cutting costs.
Even the trains under the control of a local MP will not improve whilst restrictions are put on what the rail companies can or cannot do by Civil Servants based in London doing what their masters want (sorry mistress)
Politicians of all persuasions now have the nerve to try and blame the ordinary working man who just wants to get to work and home again to enjoy time with his family.(They conviently try to ignore EU's working time directives as well).
Remember Cllr Jones of GMPTA and his insistence with that non elected, no legal entity body known as the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities (AGMA) to try and bring congestion charges to pay for Metrolink Extensions with crumbs to the rest of Greater Manchester including Bolton and Wigan. Unfortunately a good councillor for his ward but with his arrogance that only a congestion charge will sort the problems has paid the ultimate price at the ballot box.
Also Mr Johnstone according to Greater Manchester Transportation Model Unit run by Manchester City Council for AGMA congestion is actually going down in Manchester. Is this a case of politicians again not listening to their highly paid professional officers.
"Removing from the network those journeys which can be made at other times, or by other means, will actually make things easier for people who have no option but to use their cars to commute during the rush hour."
Stop the school run look how traffic flows when children are not at school.
Why do primary school pupils need to be taken by car to school when these schools are usually within walking distance.
Why have buses going all over the Borough transporting ill mouthed juveniles when there are secondary schools within walking distance.
Why do not buses run for people to get to work when they need them not when the bus companies think they need them e.g. 95 from Darcy Lever at 08.20 for a 09.00 start, next one is 09.00 so people arrive at work 30 minutes early, same on return in the evenings, at least 20 minute wait if on time.
Travelling to Manchester by rail is even worse, two coach trains with standing room only at 06.50, one coach trains serving the Blackburn line, three coach trains with most of one coach only for those who can afford "first class fares".
All this is down to politicians like yourself Mr Johnstone (ex councillor) thinking they know best and cutting costs.
Even the trains under the control of a local MP will not improve whilst restrictions are put on what the rail companies can or cannot do by Civil Servants based in London doing what their masters want (sorry mistress)
Politicians of all persuasions now have the nerve to try and blame the ordinary working man who just wants to get to work and home again to enjoy time with his family.(They conviently try to ignore EU's working time directives as well).
Remember Cllr Jones of GMPTA and his insistence with that non elected, no legal entity body known as the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities (AGMA) to try and bring congestion charges to pay for Metrolink Extensions with crumbs to the rest of Greater Manchester including Bolton and Wigan. Unfortunately a good councillor for his ward but with his arrogance that only a congestion charge will sort the problems has paid the ultimate price at the ballot box.
Also Mr Johnstone according to Greater Manchester Transportation Model Unit run by Manchester City Council for AGMA congestion is actually going down in Manchester. Is this a case of politicians again not listening to their highly paid professional officers.
Peter Johnson firstly says:
[quote]I would suggest that he does a little checking of facts first[/quote]
but them shoots himself in the foot by claiming:
{quote]congestion is increasing, year on year.[/quote]
No it is not - it is in fact going down - AGMA don't want you to know that.
Suggest you check the facts yourself Mr Johnston.
Peter Johnson firstly says:
I would suggest that he does a little checking of facts first
but them shoots himself in the foot by claiming:
{quote]congestion is increasing, year on year.
No it is not - it is in fact going down - AGMA don't want you to know that.
Peter Johnson firstly says:
[quote]I would suggest that he does a little checking of facts first[/quote]
but them shoots himself in the foot by claiming:
[quote]congestion is increasing, year on year.[/quote]
No it is not - it is in fact going down - AGMA don't want you to know that.
Suggest you check the facts yourself Mr Johnston.
Peter Johnson firstly says:
I would suggest that he does a little checking of facts first
but them shoots himself in the foot by claiming:
congestion is increasing, year on year.
No it is not - it is in fact going down - AGMA don't want you to know that.
Posted by: jonnyboyred5, bolton on 9:06pm Thu 8 May 08
"For a start, he could do worse than look at information from the Met Office's Hadley Centre for Climate Research and Forecasting."
and who funds said research centre...DEFRA, other government agencies and the EU..a non political viewpoint then Mr Johnston. No scientist worth their reputation will state that what is happening is down to what mankind does.
"The reason for this is simple - congestion is increasing, year on year."
no, it isn't.
"However, if I did, there would be none of this nonsense about referendums, for a start."
ever heard of free speach..apparently our grandfparents fought a couple of wars for it.
"Even now, it only needs a single incident on a key highway to gridlock traffic over a wide area."
..and who shuts these highways when someones' indicator lamp is broken?
"Congestion charging is the only way that we can reduce the tendency of the highway network to gridlock."
so, it is an accepted fact that the ordinary man on his way to work, who cannot change the time he travels, is going to be penalised?..public transport..don't make me laugh!..this is a tax..no more, no less.
"Removing from the network those journeys which can be made at other times"
please explain who makes journeys at times they don't need to?
"When will we ever learn".. to improve the road network.
I await your reply with interest.
"For a start, he could do worse than look at information from the Met Office's Hadley Centre for Climate Research and Forecasting."
and who funds said research centre...DEFRA, other government agencies and the EU..a non political viewpoint then Mr Johnston. No scientist worth their reputation will state that what is happening is down to what mankind does.
"The reason for this is simple - congestion is increasing, year on year."
no, it isn't.
"However, if I did, there would be none of this nonsense about referendums, for a start."
ever heard of free speach..apparently our grandfparents fought a couple of wars for it.
"Even now, it only needs a single incident on a key highway to gridlock traffic over a wide area."
..and who shuts these highways when someones' indicator lamp is broken?
"Congestion charging is the only way that we can reduce the tendency of the highway network to gridlock."
so, it is an accepted fact that the ordinary man on his way to work, who cannot change the time he travels, is going to be penalised?..public transport..don't make me laugh!..this is a tax..no more, no less.
"Removing from the network those journeys which can be made at other times"
please explain who makes journeys at times they don't need to?
"When will we ever learn".. to improve the road network.
Posted by: dave a, Little Lever on 10:29am Tue 13 May 08
The government has increased congestion purposely, over the last few years by introducing cleverly designed road hazards, to (in their words) Slow down traffic! They narrow perfectly good two lane roads, into frustrating single lanes,lower speed limits on motorway extensions & then try to blame an increase in traffic! Wake up Mr johnson-you must think we're all as stupid as your ex council colleages,if you think we're going to fall for that! Congestion charging? YOU CAUSE IT ! Let US vote! not some puppet council tribe!
The government has increased congestion purposely, over the last few years by introducing cleverly designed road hazards, to (in their words) Slow down traffic! They narrow perfectly good two lane roads, into frustrating single lanes,lower speed limits on motorway extensions & then try to blame an increase in traffic! Wake up Mr johnson-you must think we're all as stupid as your ex council colleages,if you think we're going to fall for that! Congestion charging? YOU CAUSE IT ! Let US vote! not some puppet council tribe!
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