Lack of logic is driving me... to Distraction

CAR CLINIC - Congestion chargers

How about the Smart Fortwo I recall reviewed in the paper? And don't
biodiesels like the Saab of dual-fuels such as Volvo offer count?

Mind you, I am still unclear how use of such vehicles solves congestion.

Or, for that matter, how two two miles in a 4x4 and then parking all
day kills the planet, while running all day on electric or hybrid helps
the planet. The pipe may be elsewhere or pump out less per mile,
but if you are doing the miles you are congesting and polluting more,
surely?

A matter of definition

Resistance is 4x4 futile

'...we need to be encouraged to stop using our cars'

The point has been made by others, but I'm guessing as I read this in Ross-on-Wye that this 'we' don't get much beyond Islington/Westminster/Fleet St/Canary Wharf/where Ken taxi (what does he use?) rides to & fro, and where the BBC meets their mates from the preceding places?

And while I'm here I just wonder how an electric car prevents congestion?

Or indeed, how a petrol car that does, say 10 miles a day, is worse for the environment than an electric (I do believe there is still an exhaust pipe. It is just in another place) or hybrid that buzzes about all day, emitting away.

Webcasting Nasturtiums

Qu: In the exchange on Newsnight with the Sun's 'representative', there was an argument about matters of fact on comments made once the petition became a hot political issue. Who was accurate in their statements?

Times - Nations unite to join a boycott of congestion charge - Well, at least something has brought 'em together at last.

Times - Without road pricing we face gridlock, says Blair

Right message. Wrong person and team to try and sell the solution.

If you can't, or won't, answer key questions with anything other than
defensiveness, denial, hype, spin and 'looking at it' nonsense waffle,
you will not get past the necessary trust levels to allow it to get where
it needs to go.

I await with interest the webcast Thursday pm with Dr.
'Ladymano a 1.8M manos' to see how this little exchange gets carried
out sensibly and then reported.

I'm still trying to figure out who you charge fairly and accurately
without tracking individual vehicle movements as they progress, by
the '2 to 3 ways' alluded to.

Times - Oh, unhappy me. I’m a car owner

Times - Pedal Power

'Road proceeds should be invested in repopularising the bicycle'

I couldn't agree more. However I rather fear as, say with unhiring 750,000 extra civil servants (quoted in these pages I think yesterday), the theory is good but the practice may prove less so.

I'd also like to ensure we are talking here of congestion charge proceeds in London, and not national road proceeds. You see there is a difference.

You may wish to cycle to avoid the smell and overcrowding and performance of an urban transport network that involves minute by minute buses and tubes. Plus the option of heavily subsidised (never understood why such a private enterprise is exempt from charges to carry just one person (ex: driver) in a not very clean diesel emitting all day and night long - maybe it's because the non-car brigade in power still need to get about without the hassle and hoi polloi?).

However, when it's freezing, heaving down, you have a large load and/or two kids, or an urgent appointment well, the trusty Raleigh is the very thing. Especially if the nearest anything is 15 miles away up hill and down dale as the tractor chugs.

And as statistics are a favoured tool of persuasion, may I simply ask (as I don't know) how far affordable housing is from the main urban places of work in the European examples cited? And ignoring the admittedly woeful current support to encourage it in London, what are the geographical challenges. Last time I looked, Amsterdam was pretty flat. I used to live in Wandsworth and there were a couple of hills there alone that would have done for me.

Or is this advocacy solely for young, single, non-parent, fit types?

Guardian - E-petitions: Marketing, or e-democracy?

While I appreciated the opportunity to make my case in London while not having to suffer the irony of drive there to do so (note that one, placard wavers), I'd have to say that what came back was not marketing.

As I do not think any alternative views will gain access to this valuable database, I'd say it falls more under propaganda.

Josef would have been proud.

Guardian - That email

In-ter-esting, but stupid

Here's one I hadn't thought of. Let's see the spinmeisters tackle this one:

Labour's poll tax

Just saw my abbreviation label for Congestion Charge. Seems apt.

National road pricing? No way

I am glad to see at least one London-based commentator accepting that life may be a bit different outside the Islington-Westminster-Fleet St (ok, it should also include Canary Wharf and wherever the BBC and Ken live, but that's a hexagon too far) triangle.

Speaking of our fair capital, I was amused that one another of this sites fair pages it has been pointed out the the denizens of Kensington & Chelsea can now swan about in their Cayennes to work, or indeed all day long, at very fair rates. Bless.

Political play and road pricing

There is no doubt that the government is badly wrong-footed on this. Equally, all who are less than on their side smell blood and opportunity. Shame it seems to be for self-promotion at the expense of anything like a positive solution. Because one thing is for sure, even if we (well, 1.6M misguided fools so far, who are to be put straight soon by Don Tony) don't fancy the way this one was pitched, something to fairly manage transport UK-wide IS needed.

I believed I watched Mr. Penning on SKY news last night exchange waffle swipes 'n snipes with a Scots Lib Dem MP (Lab talking head a tad absent), but when challenged to offer an alternative managed 'it should be looked at'.

Criticise for sure, but if you can't manage a coherent policy by way of an answer mate, you won't get my vote.

Guardian - Con Charge - Good a place as any
Guardian - Congestion zone could fuel voter revolt against Livingstone
Times - Smooth start as London’s zone spreads westwards - Myabe it's all OK, yah.
Times - ‘I will now be driving my grandchildren about’ - So it's all about congestion then?