Just got fined! What’s the point apart from money making?
Discussion
dan98 said:
I as say, it wasn't intended as unpleasant - just pointing out the irony of disliking a city so much to the point of refusing to drive there, while consequently making it that bit nicer for everyone who actually lives there.
The prospect of driving an Aston Martin into London holds no thrall for me. That said, whilst I was happy to drive there in the 1980s because it was an exciting challenge, I wouldn't wish to drive anything into that maelstrom of complexity and (as per the thread theme), a maze of special rules and fines designed to catch the unwary. I don't want the expense or risk and luckily don't need to take it.TwigtheWonderkid said:
Griffith4ever said:
London is basically a motorist trap.
A trap with tonnes of warning signs to alert you to what's coming up? A trap with a warning saying "beware, trap ahead" isn't a trap at all. LunarOne said:
TwigtheWonderkid said:
Griffith4ever said:
London is basically a motorist trap.
A trap with tonnes of warning signs to alert you to what's coming up? A trap with a warning saying "beware, trap ahead" isn't a trap at all. LunarOne said:
Tell the salmon that the net isn't a trap because he can see it! A trap is still a trap when you know it's there if you have no ability to avoid it. If you are compelled to drive in London, then it very much feels like being Indiana Jones and wondering what is around the next corner waiting to get you.
I agree and I'm a Londoner.I used to drive and ride across the centre loads years ago, or just pop up to take the kids to the museums, go to the theatre, the parks or go eat/drink all the time but avoid the place like the plague now.
It is just a city that I can see from my office about 7 miles away unfortunately just inside the old ULEZ which forced me to get rid of my much loved daily 3 series when it expanded to the North/South circulars.
A few weeks ago I was headed home from the Peterborough area and had to drop family off in Wandsworth. The Sat Nav was routing me down the A1 and Finchley road, Swiss Cottage, Marble Arch, Park Lane and eventually over Albert Bridge.
Despite asking my son to look up the Congestion Zone times in case we strayed I constantly felt that I was doing something illegal
Just was not enjoyable in anyway.
I used to drive in London for a living and did love it. I actually felt sad thinking about how fun it all used to be and how draconian it is now
I did a job in Piccadilly for a day last year and I was shocked at how empty the place looked and felt. This was a weekday from 0630 to 1800.
Add the fact that most of the few vehicles were electric, it was so quiet. Felt dead.
Back to driving down Park Lane, like everywhere else it's 20mph now. It's 3 to 4 lanes wide in both directions FFS!
Felt ridiculous and to think I was a member of the Ton up Park Lane club back when I was a motorcycle courier in the early 80s
Edited by croyde on Sunday 19th May 02:52
croyde said:
I agree and I'm a Londoner.
I used to drive and ride across the centre loads years ago, or just pop up to take the kids to the museums, go to the theatre, the parks or go eat/drink all the time but avoid the place like the plague now.
It is just a city that I can see from my office about 7 miles away unfortunately just inside the old ULEZ which forced me to get rid of my much loved daily 3 series when it expanded to the North/South circulars.
A few weeks ago I was headed home from the Peterborough area and had to drop family off in Wandsworth. The Sat Nav was routing me down the A1 and Finchley road, Swiss Cottage, Marble Arch, Park Lane and eventually over Albert Bridge.
Despite asking my son to look up the Congestion Zone times in case we strayed I constantly felt that I was doing something illegal
Just was not enjoyable in anyway.
I used to drive in London for a living and did love it. I actually felt sad thinking about how fun it all used to be and how draconian it is now
I did a job in Piccadilly for a day last year and I was shocked at how empty the place looked and felt. This was a weekday from 0630 to 1800.
Add the fact that most of the few vehicles were electric, it was so quiet. Felt dead.
Back to driving down Park Lane, like everywhere else it's 20mph now. It's 3 to 4 lanes wide in both directions FFS!
Felt ridiculous and to think I was a member of the Ton up Park Lane club back when I was a motorcycle courier in the early 80s
It’s a shame there are no other ways to access the city. I used to drive and ride across the centre loads years ago, or just pop up to take the kids to the museums, go to the theatre, the parks or go eat/drink all the time but avoid the place like the plague now.
It is just a city that I can see from my office about 7 miles away unfortunately just inside the old ULEZ which forced me to get rid of my much loved daily 3 series when it expanded to the North/South circulars.
A few weeks ago I was headed home from the Peterborough area and had to drop family off in Wandsworth. The Sat Nav was routing me down the A1 and Finchley road, Swiss Cottage, Marble Arch, Park Lane and eventually over Albert Bridge.
Despite asking my son to look up the Congestion Zone times in case we strayed I constantly felt that I was doing something illegal
Just was not enjoyable in anyway.
I used to drive in London for a living and did love it. I actually felt sad thinking about how fun it all used to be and how draconian it is now
I did a job in Piccadilly for a day last year and I was shocked at how empty the place looked and felt. This was a weekday from 0630 to 1800.
Add the fact that most of the few vehicles were electric, it was so quiet. Felt dead.
Back to driving down Park Lane, like everywhere else it's 20mph now. It's 3 to 4 lanes wide in both directions FFS!
Felt ridiculous and to think I was a member of the Ton up Park Lane club back when I was a motorcycle courier in the early 80s
Edited by croyde on Sunday 19th May 02:52
Gibbler290 said:
croyde said:
I agree and I'm a Londoner.
I used to drive and ride across the centre loads years ago, or just pop up to take the kids to the museums, go to the theatre, the parks or go eat/drink all the time but avoid the place like the plague now.
It is just a city that I can see from my office about 7 miles away unfortunately just inside the old ULEZ which forced me to get rid of my much loved daily 3 series when it expanded to the North/South circulars.
A few weeks ago I was headed home from the Peterborough area and had to drop family off in Wandsworth. The Sat Nav was routing me down the A1 and Finchley road, Swiss Cottage, Marble Arch, Park Lane and eventually over Albert Bridge.
Despite asking my son to look up the Congestion Zone times in case we strayed I constantly felt that I was doing something illegal
Just was not enjoyable in anyway.
I used to drive in London for a living and did love it. I actually felt sad thinking about how fun it all used to be and how draconian it is now
I did a job in Piccadilly for a day last year and I was shocked at how empty the place looked and felt. This was a weekday from 0630 to 1800.
Add the fact that most of the few vehicles were electric, it was so quiet. Felt dead.
Back to driving down Park Lane, like everywhere else it's 20mph now. It's 3 to 4 lanes wide in both directions FFS!
Felt ridiculous and to think I was a member of the Ton up Park Lane club back when I was a motorcycle courier in the early 80s
It’s a shame there are no other ways to access the city. I used to drive and ride across the centre loads years ago, or just pop up to take the kids to the museums, go to the theatre, the parks or go eat/drink all the time but avoid the place like the plague now.
It is just a city that I can see from my office about 7 miles away unfortunately just inside the old ULEZ which forced me to get rid of my much loved daily 3 series when it expanded to the North/South circulars.
A few weeks ago I was headed home from the Peterborough area and had to drop family off in Wandsworth. The Sat Nav was routing me down the A1 and Finchley road, Swiss Cottage, Marble Arch, Park Lane and eventually over Albert Bridge.
Despite asking my son to look up the Congestion Zone times in case we strayed I constantly felt that I was doing something illegal
Just was not enjoyable in anyway.
I used to drive in London for a living and did love it. I actually felt sad thinking about how fun it all used to be and how draconian it is now
I did a job in Piccadilly for a day last year and I was shocked at how empty the place looked and felt. This was a weekday from 0630 to 1800.
Add the fact that most of the few vehicles were electric, it was so quiet. Felt dead.
Back to driving down Park Lane, like everywhere else it's 20mph now. It's 3 to 4 lanes wide in both directions FFS!
Felt ridiculous and to think I was a member of the Ton up Park Lane club back when I was a motorcycle courier in the early 80s
Edited by croyde on Sunday 19th May 02:52
I regularly commute to my work, London to London 8 miles.
Usually 1.5 hours each way, sometimes more. I quite often end up walking which does sort of keep me fit
And before anyone suggests cycling, I used to but too old now, various issues. Plus I hated turning up a sweaty mess for work.
Just to underline it, 1.5 hours to travel 8 miles by public transport....EACH WAY at a cost of £12 a day.
I luckily have an over 60s Oyster but Khan't has kept the ban of using it during the rush hour after bringing it in during Covid.
When I could use it, it kept me out of my car for weeks at a time but it's about money Khan, not cleaning the air eh?
croyde said:
Yes loads, but very expensive and take even longer than sitting in your car. Plus the people you have to share it with.
I regularly commute to my work, London to London 8 miles.
Usually 1.5 hours each way, sometimes more. I quite often end up walking which does sort of keep me fit
And before anyone suggests cycling, I used to but too old now, various issues. Plus I hated turning up a sweaty mess for work.
Just to underline it, 1.5 hours to travel 8 miles by public transport....EACH WAY at a cost of £12 a day.
I luckily have an over 60s Oyster but Khan't has kept the ban of using it during the rush hour after bringing it in during Covid.
When I could use it, it kept me out of my car for weeks at a time but it's about money Khan, not cleaning the air eh?
£12 each way? Where are you coming from in London for that?I regularly commute to my work, London to London 8 miles.
Usually 1.5 hours each way, sometimes more. I quite often end up walking which does sort of keep me fit
And before anyone suggests cycling, I used to but too old now, various issues. Plus I hated turning up a sweaty mess for work.
Just to underline it, 1.5 hours to travel 8 miles by public transport....EACH WAY at a cost of £12 a day.
I luckily have an over 60s Oyster but Khan't has kept the ban of using it during the rush hour after bringing it in during Covid.
When I could use it, it kept me out of my car for weeks at a time but it's about money Khan, not cleaning the air eh?
A zone 1-6 travel card (or capped fare) is £15.60 so unless your using the Gatwick Express or something, I'm not sure how you manage to spend that amount.
Edited by valiant on Sunday 19th May 10:41
dan98 said:
It's not intended to be unpleasant, it's literally the case that your disgust for London is equally matched by the disdain that the residents have for those who stubbornly commute/ride in and out of the city in the most selfish (and unnecessary) way possible.
Surely if Khan was hated by everyone living there, he'd be kicked out years ago rather than voted in time after time.
It’s not, most of us aren’t so unpleasant as to feel as you suggest.Surely if Khan was hated by everyone living there, he'd be kicked out years ago rather than voted in time after time.
Last month we went into London as a family. The fast train from Peterborough into Kings Cross, then to the Natural History museum, walked to the London Eye etc.
Westminster bridge was a hive of crap, the bridge was covered in scam artists and the only police we saw were dealing with a pair who had been robbed. The 6 (yes 6) dodgy hotdog sellers were allowed to stay and block the path of everyone. It was a horrible experience in general and it also included a pro Palestine yob group.
I took my dog for a day out in London Monday just gone, the train was great, the people all friendly and was eating breakfast at St James Park by 08:00 and then walked round the palace, Westminster, Southbank etc with no issues.
It was like a completely different city.
We still enjoy driving around it but it really isn’t fun. When my wife worked in Devonshire square and had to drive then a few times I drove her in. The traffic was that dense that you needed an intimate knowledge or you annoyed everyone else. This alone certainly puts people in a position to concentrate on the wrong areas. So when people say it’s easy, look at the signs etc it’s very different for a Londoner compared to someone who rarely drives in. Even my wife who drove through London for 5 years straight says it’s a pain as with all the roadworks etc it puts you in places you don’t expect.
Dave!
Westminster bridge was a hive of crap, the bridge was covered in scam artists and the only police we saw were dealing with a pair who had been robbed. The 6 (yes 6) dodgy hotdog sellers were allowed to stay and block the path of everyone. It was a horrible experience in general and it also included a pro Palestine yob group.
I took my dog for a day out in London Monday just gone, the train was great, the people all friendly and was eating breakfast at St James Park by 08:00 and then walked round the palace, Westminster, Southbank etc with no issues.
It was like a completely different city.
We still enjoy driving around it but it really isn’t fun. When my wife worked in Devonshire square and had to drive then a few times I drove her in. The traffic was that dense that you needed an intimate knowledge or you annoyed everyone else. This alone certainly puts people in a position to concentrate on the wrong areas. So when people say it’s easy, look at the signs etc it’s very different for a Londoner compared to someone who rarely drives in. Even my wife who drove through London for 5 years straight says it’s a pain as with all the roadworks etc it puts you in places you don’t expect.
Dave!
valiant said:
Fermit said:
Yep, this is pretty much what I found out. Went to west London to collect a TV purchased. Did everything possible to stay out of the congestion zone. Returned home to receive a £90 fine for entering it. Khan, you can f
k right off if you think I'll be visiting your city any time in the nearer future.
Well you didn’t do everything possible as you missed the fk right off if you think I'll be visiting your city any time in the nearer future.king great ‘C’ on the road you entered as well as roadside signage indicating you’re entering the congestion charge zone. Pica-Pica said:
Ken_Code said:
Pica-Pica said:
The sign means ‘No motor vehicles’. That should be pretty basic knowledge.
Then it’s incorrect signage as some motor vehicles are allowed.If it were no vehicles inc busses etc you get the round red sign with a thick white horizontal bar across it.
Still not seen this one anywhere yet!
Edited by LivLL on Sunday 19th May 12:53
Edited by LivLL on Sunday 19th May 12:53
Ride into London 2-3 times a week, most weeks, and I manage to avoid tickets without employing an overly conservative riding style. I did get ambushed by a hidden policeman during lockdown, which made me feel somewhat hard done by, but that’s it. I’ll probably have a nice letter land in the next week or two now I’ve written this.
Tribal Chestnut said:
Ride into London 2-3 times a week, most weeks, and I manage to avoid tickets without employing an overly conservative riding style. I did get ambushed by a hidden policeman during lockdown, which made me feel somewhat hard done by, but that’s it. I’ll probably have a nice letter land in the next week or two now I’ve written this.
Your last sentence proves the point. Even if you ride within the law, you can't be sure you won't commit some inadvertent misdeed - of which you'll only discover weeks later. And if you happen to be away - perhaps on holiday, perhaps on business, or perhaps because you spend part of the year abroad, then you might find that the fines and perhaps court action rack up in your absence completely without your knowledge.Personally I think that if we are going to allow fines to be doled out by CCTV, then there should be the opportunity to know about contraventions immediately via electronic means. Perhaps there should be a nationwide scheme where drivers can log in via an app or website and register to receive notifications via SMS, email or via the app for a specific vehicle registration mark. Whenever a new V5C is issued, all registrants against a VRM are removed and only someone with the new V5C can set up new notifications. Then, notification of any contravention is immediately sent to drivers. Perhaps even make it possible to pay fines via the app. This would at least take the stress out of the situation, without removing the disincentive to break the rules.
dan98 said:
Indeed it sounds as if you don't spend much time there from your sudden observations of empty pavements, which is widely accepted to be a ripple effect of the pandemic rather than anything to do with ULEZ; in itself been reducing the traffic levels hugely for many years prior to 2020.
“Reducing the traffic levels hugely for many years prior to 2020”With the “hugely reduced “ traffic levels, you might think the congestion would be a bit less-but it’s worse than ever.
No ideas for a name said:
I mean, why is that even needed in the middle of a town?Gassing Station | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff