Greer on the Highways Agency
Discussion
Never much cared for her, but today's article may change my view:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/9959524/Germai...
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/9959524/Germai...
I agree on the matrix board point but I do not find HA managed roads pothole ridden, there's the odd one that, understandanly, get worn out parts but they do get serviced. It's council run roads that are more of an issue.
Unless you suffer from a relevant medical condition and have not succumbed to exceptional circumstances when has the coverage of loos ever been an issue? Or maybe as an aging nation, we hould have more continental/US style stops but by god they're grim in the summer. Privatising to what they are now is a massive improvement.
I'm rather immune to the 'best in the world' rhetoric. Its a government agency with no competition, non of us know any different. At least they didn't use the 'envy of the world' like with the NHS...
Unless you suffer from a relevant medical condition and have not succumbed to exceptional circumstances when has the coverage of loos ever been an issue? Or maybe as an aging nation, we hould have more continental/US style stops but by god they're grim in the summer. Privatising to what they are now is a massive improvement.
I'm rather immune to the 'best in the world' rhetoric. Its a government agency with no competition, non of us know any different. At least they didn't use the 'envy of the world' like with the NHS...
Edited by muffinmenace on Tuesday 2nd April 14:36
I drive ITRO 800-1000 miles a week on business.
Our roads are in a shocking state!
to find a stretch of road that hasn't been bodged, sunk, badly repaired of is just falling apart is almost impossible.
Some roads around here are more "repairs" that road IYKWIM. they look more like a patchwork quilt.
Considering how much the motorist contributes to the exchequer it's a fooking disgrace.
Our roads are in a shocking state!
to find a stretch of road that hasn't been bodged, sunk, badly repaired of is just falling apart is almost impossible.
Some roads around here are more "repairs" that road IYKWIM. they look more like a patchwork quilt.
Considering how much the motorist contributes to the exchequer it's a fooking disgrace.
muffinmenace said:
Unless you suffer from a relevant medical condition and have not succumbed to exceptional circumstances when has the coverage of loos ever been an issue? Or maybe as an aging nation, we hould have more continental/US style stops but by god they're grim in the summer.
I disagree, the infrequency of rest stops on our motorway network is inadequate. Matrix boards often assert that we need to stop and rest, yet there are scant few opportunities. We don't need more full service stations with the plethora of coffee shops/fast-food joints - just more places to stop, stretch your legs, use the toilet and maybe have a picnic (Not all at the same time. Unless you like that sort of thing). As I agree with all the article's points, I'm left wondering if Germaine Greer is a petrolhead?
Oh yes. Hit nail on the head with this one,
"The Highways Agency makes a great deal of its function in providing drivers with information; too much of this consists of reminders they don't need. More serious is the inaccuracy and poor timing of information on traffic conditions which is often displayed for hours after an obstruction has been cleared. Better no information than misleading information."
"The Highways Agency makes a great deal of its function in providing drivers with information; too much of this consists of reminders they don't need. More serious is the inaccuracy and poor timing of information on traffic conditions which is often displayed for hours after an obstruction has been cleared. Better no information than misleading information."
I agree with her.
I worked the motorways and other roads for thirty years and have seen a "poor but adequateish" road network decline without any let up.
And in the time since I retired the decline has not been "hideable".
She mentions petrol and motorways in there.
People do not realise that there are not many junctions off motorways that won't take the driver past at least one garage within a couple of miles.
Would you drive to Corley services for petrol when within a couple of miles of juntion 2 is an Asda with fuel many pence cheaper per litre than the Services?
I know I wouldn't.
There is no signage around to identify such places and there blimmin' well should be, but the Highways Agency/Government charge the Services Operators a fortune to operate so the operators would be up in arms if the H.A were to sign post their competitors.
I have to say I love to drive in France, the trip through to Le Mans is as important as the race in some ways for me. I even use the Toll roads on some routes.
I worked the motorways and other roads for thirty years and have seen a "poor but adequateish" road network decline without any let up.
And in the time since I retired the decline has not been "hideable".
She mentions petrol and motorways in there.
People do not realise that there are not many junctions off motorways that won't take the driver past at least one garage within a couple of miles.
Would you drive to Corley services for petrol when within a couple of miles of juntion 2 is an Asda with fuel many pence cheaper per litre than the Services?
I know I wouldn't.
There is no signage around to identify such places and there blimmin' well should be, but the Highways Agency/Government charge the Services Operators a fortune to operate so the operators would be up in arms if the H.A were to sign post their competitors.
I have to say I love to drive in France, the trip through to Le Mans is as important as the race in some ways for me. I even use the Toll roads on some routes.
Germaine Greer said:
Why can't Britain have roads like the French?
Back in the 1950s and 60s that was the other way round. Then the EU was foisted on us and our money was requisitioned to renew French roads...
Hey ho...is Germaine Greer still alive? She seems to be dead every time I see her.
Sgt Bilko said:
I'm confused. Is she saying HGV drivers should be able to use the hard shoulder to park overnight? How is that ever going to be a good idea?
I think she was aluding to the French style 'aire' [sp?] services, which are often just parking, picnic are and loos. Not so common in the UK - - there are/were a few on A roads but many have been closed/run down. I'd say being able to take a piss break is fairly findamental and, given the very poor flow of traffic and long journey times in the UK, more frequest facilities and parking for HGVs would not go amis.As fort he state of our road - shocking. I'd agree with other posters and have said before, that successive UK governments have failed to invest in new capacity or to ensure extand routes are properly maintained. The HA is as the NHS was - totally unpoliced in it's delivery of 'service'.
Why is it that we are so pleasant about this stuff. The heads of the FSA, the HA and just about every other Agency should be sacked. Not paid off with huge pensions. Just given a p45 and told "your sacked, sue us if you dare you incompetent b
d"
The roads are on the point where we should be able to shout foul and stop paying the tax. The economy is in ruins, the education system is geared up so thick girls can get degrees. The army is underfunded, the police force is spending too much time harassing motorists and not enough time catching scrotes. Not one of the bloody agencies that run things has any skills in running things. Bullst about world class this and that when the roads are just crap worse than east Germany after the wall came down. When the greens protest we should put them in the tower and charge them with treason not listen to the morons. WHen a pothole appears, a lib dem should be executed.When is speed hump is built a civil servant should be sacked. Rant over
d"The roads are on the point where we should be able to shout foul and stop paying the tax. The economy is in ruins, the education system is geared up so thick girls can get degrees. The army is underfunded, the police force is spending too much time harassing motorists and not enough time catching scrotes. Not one of the bloody agencies that run things has any skills in running things. Bulls
t about world class this and that when the roads are just crap worse than east Germany after the wall came down. When the greens protest we should put them in the tower and charge them with treason not listen to the morons. WHen a pothole appears, a lib dem should be executed.When is speed hump is built a civil servant should be sacked. Rant overvodkalolly said:
Why is it that we are so pleasant about this stuff. The heads of the FSA, the HA and just about every other Agency should be sacked. Not paid off with huge pensions. Just given a p45 and told "your sacked, sue us if you dare you incompetent bd"
The roads are on the point where we should be able to shout foul and stop paying the tax. The economy is in ruins, the education system is geared up so thick girls can get degrees. The army is underfunded, the police force is spending too much time harassing motorists and not enough time catching scrotes. Not one of the bloody agencies that run things has any skills in running things. Bullst about world class this and that when the roads are just crap worse than east Germany after the wall came down. When the greens protest we should put them in the tower and charge them with treason not listen to the morons. WHen a pothole appears, a lib dem should be executed.When is speed hump is built a civil servant should be sacked. Rant over
Howe much time do police officers spend harassing motorists as a percentage of their total time? Do you think it should be a free for all on the roads? Why should a libdem be sacked if there is a pothole? The libdems round my way are pushing for them to be filled in but the tory councilors refuse.d"The roads are on the point where we should be able to shout foul and stop paying the tax. The economy is in ruins, the education system is geared up so thick girls can get degrees. The army is underfunded, the police force is spending too much time harassing motorists and not enough time catching scrotes. Not one of the bloody agencies that run things has any skills in running things. Bulls
t about world class this and that when the roads are just crap worse than east Germany after the wall came down. When the greens protest we should put them in the tower and charge them with treason not listen to the morons. WHen a pothole appears, a lib dem should be executed.When is speed hump is built a civil servant should be sacked. Rant overAs for the education systems being girl oriented, Gove has changed all that. We are now going to learn dates, kings and wars instead of history, and will have rote learning tested instead of understanding. This, evidently, will wipe girls out.
And again, it's the councils who maintain the majority of the roads. In general the HA does a decent job (apart from being ripped off by the private sector, especially MACs).
Also, Gove is possibly the worst thing to happen to the kids of this country. He truly is a stunningly incompetent bellend. If anyone deserves a rant it is him.
Also, Gove is possibly the worst thing to happen to the kids of this country. He truly is a stunningly incompetent bellend. If anyone deserves a rant it is him.
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