Government congestion LIES
Discussion
The announcement by Alistair Darling about abandoning congestion targets is very interesting. Why is congestion a problem? The government’s own figures (DfT) show us:
Traffic (expressed in miles travelled) hasn’t increased much over the last decade:
www.transtat.dft.gov.uk/tables/tsgb02/4/pdf/41002.pdf
Car ownership over the last six years or so is basically static (so not more cars covering shorter distances):
www.transtat.dft.gov.uk/tables/2002/ntsrev/pdf/overvw.pdf
Look at the trends – shatters the alleged basis of policy and the arguments of the greens:
www.transtat.dft.gov.uk/tables/2002/ntsrev/pdf/trends.pdf
“The number of car trips has increased slightly over the years, while trips by other modes have fallen (Chart 2.2). The distance traveled by car has risen during the 1990s”.
Based on all the above, the dramatic projected increases in traffic for the next 20 years don’t hold any water at all.
All the facts point towards congestion being caused by traffic calming, road closures, restricting access by car, bus lanes and more (or rephrased) traffic lights, etc…
So why is the government putting on a show, ‘dramatically’ scrapping their targets to cut congestion, when their policies are probably guilty of destroying traffic flow – CAUSING congestion?
They’re obviously priming us for more road/congestion charging to placate the engineered cries of outrage from the greens.
Traffic (expressed in miles travelled) hasn’t increased much over the last decade:
www.transtat.dft.gov.uk/tables/tsgb02/4/pdf/41002.pdf
Car ownership over the last six years or so is basically static (so not more cars covering shorter distances):
www.transtat.dft.gov.uk/tables/2002/ntsrev/pdf/overvw.pdf
Look at the trends – shatters the alleged basis of policy and the arguments of the greens:
www.transtat.dft.gov.uk/tables/2002/ntsrev/pdf/trends.pdf
“The number of car trips has increased slightly over the years, while trips by other modes have fallen (Chart 2.2). The distance traveled by car has risen during the 1990s”.
Based on all the above, the dramatic projected increases in traffic for the next 20 years don’t hold any water at all.
All the facts point towards congestion being caused by traffic calming, road closures, restricting access by car, bus lanes and more (or rephrased) traffic lights, etc…
So why is the government putting on a show, ‘dramatically’ scrapping their targets to cut congestion, when their policies are probably guilty of destroying traffic flow – CAUSING congestion?
They’re obviously priming us for more road/congestion charging to placate the engineered cries of outrage from the greens.
On the news this evening, Darling apparently commented that one of the reasons the government have failed to meet the targets is local councils failing to introduce congestion charges quickly enough. FFS.
This lot clearly don't want economic growth. They just want to obstruct us back to living in caves and killing fcuking dinosaurs. Oh! hang on, killing dinosaurs is bad, M'kay!!
DAZ
This lot clearly don't want economic growth. They just want to obstruct us back to living in caves and killing fcuking dinosaurs. Oh! hang on, killing dinosaurs is bad, M'kay!!
DAZ
Good work Roger.
It seems that Nu Labia and William Anthony Prodigious-Liar esq. have realised that they're losing the support of motorists and have had to change tack as we pass the half way point to the next election.
They'll keep up their anti-speed cack, reinforced by more didactic propaganda and inculcation leveraging a series of Thinkofthechildrenisms, but they know that people need their cars and that they can't deliver a hint of an alternative before 2005 at least.
Which is why they won't touch congestion charging with a bargepole although they've all got a secret hard-on for Red Ken's scheme.
Edited after reading Daz's post... they are pressing local authorities to adopt congestion charging, but central government wouldn't touch it with Prescott's.
>> Edited by CarZee (moderator) on Tuesday 17th December 18:33
It seems that Nu Labia and William Anthony Prodigious-Liar esq. have realised that they're losing the support of motorists and have had to change tack as we pass the half way point to the next election.
They'll keep up their anti-speed cack, reinforced by more didactic propaganda and inculcation leveraging a series of Thinkofthechildrenisms, but they know that people need their cars and that they can't deliver a hint of an alternative before 2005 at least.
Which is why they won't touch congestion charging with a bargepole although they've all got a secret hard-on for Red Ken's scheme.
Edited after reading Daz's post... they are pressing local authorities to adopt congestion charging, but central government wouldn't touch it with Prescott's.
>> Edited by CarZee (moderator) on Tuesday 17th December 18:33
I just wish that the government would make up their minds about the economy. I mean, we had Gordon Brown telling us that "as the economy isn't growing as fast as predicted" he's going to have to borrow money. Last night, we had Alistair darling sayimg that congestion will get worse because "the economy is growing faster than predicted". Talk about having your cake and eating it!
I think that what we are seeing with this libby-lefty spinspin toerag government is that the past performance of the economy is down to influences NOT controlled by the government, yet when things begin to go pear shaped, as they appear to be at the moment, the true incompetence of this gov. will shine through and Mr Brown in particular will not be able to hide behind the strong economy left to him by Clarke.
It is becoming clear that labour have no real long term policy just ultra short-term fight-run-hide type policy.
>> Edited by swilly on Wednesday 18th December 12:53
It is becoming clear that labour have no real long term policy just ultra short-term fight-run-hide type policy.
>> Edited by swilly on Wednesday 18th December 12:53
Having had a look at quite a bit of the data in the pdf's posted on the original links, it's clear that the DETR have been collecting a helluva lot more data on road usage than I thought was the case.
For example, they have used inductive loops buried in various roads (not just motorways) for over 10 years now, and seem to have very accurate historical information on which to build thier statistical models on future road usage.
So, given this wealth of data, analysis and statistical talent, how the hell did they manage to estimate a figure of 20% reduction of road use for the 10 Year Transport Plan? To achieve this would require a transfer of some 30% of predicted road mileage to public transport, and yets just by inspecting the figures, (and without the use of a fugging great statistical computer model) it's absolutely clear that there is no way the rail/bus network could absorb that requirement.
In fact the figures reveal that the increase in public transport use over the last 10 years have been almost totally borne by rail... so since there are no plans to build significant new rail lines (the existing ones are still being repaired!).
The more you look at the figures, the more it becomes apparent that the 10 Year Transport Plan was never EVER going to become a reality. I think John Prescott must have just been hoping that Tinkerbell would magic him up a new public transport network.
If you look at the DETR budget figures 1997-2001 you'll find the Gov't was actually CUTTING the whole transport budget for years, despite the predictions of increase travel usage from the DETR. They've now been increased back in 2002 to the 1997 levels (gee, thanks Gordon!)
Of course according to Alistair Darling it's all OUR fault we want/need to travel more, and OUR fault we don't want to use the stinking trains. It's OUR fault we cause congestion, and OUR fault that the DETR's surveys constantly show that over 80% of public opinion is against congestion charging, enforced public transport, increased motorists taxes, toll roads (there's a list of subjects but you get the point!) But surely it's the Government's fault for failing to interpret the research and make sensible policies for Transport?
Is any minister going to take responsibility for this fuggup in policy making? JOHN PRESCOTT PLEASE STAND FORWARD!
For example, they have used inductive loops buried in various roads (not just motorways) for over 10 years now, and seem to have very accurate historical information on which to build thier statistical models on future road usage.
So, given this wealth of data, analysis and statistical talent, how the hell did they manage to estimate a figure of 20% reduction of road use for the 10 Year Transport Plan? To achieve this would require a transfer of some 30% of predicted road mileage to public transport, and yets just by inspecting the figures, (and without the use of a fugging great statistical computer model) it's absolutely clear that there is no way the rail/bus network could absorb that requirement.
In fact the figures reveal that the increase in public transport use over the last 10 years have been almost totally borne by rail... so since there are no plans to build significant new rail lines (the existing ones are still being repaired!).
The more you look at the figures, the more it becomes apparent that the 10 Year Transport Plan was never EVER going to become a reality. I think John Prescott must have just been hoping that Tinkerbell would magic him up a new public transport network.
If you look at the DETR budget figures 1997-2001 you'll find the Gov't was actually CUTTING the whole transport budget for years, despite the predictions of increase travel usage from the DETR. They've now been increased back in 2002 to the 1997 levels (gee, thanks Gordon!)
Of course according to Alistair Darling it's all OUR fault we want/need to travel more, and OUR fault we don't want to use the stinking trains. It's OUR fault we cause congestion, and OUR fault that the DETR's surveys constantly show that over 80% of public opinion is against congestion charging, enforced public transport, increased motorists taxes, toll roads (there's a list of subjects but you get the point!) But surely it's the Government's fault for failing to interpret the research and make sensible policies for Transport?
Is any minister going to take responsibility for this fuggup in policy making? JOHN PRESCOTT PLEASE STAND FORWARD!
TONY BLAIR IS A TWAT
JOHN PRESCOTT IS A TWAT
ROBIN COOK's PARENT SHOULD BE ASHAMED. THEY ARE TWATS.
THE TWAT WITH THE GLASSES WHO NODS AND AGREES WITH ALL THE TWATTISH TWOT THAT TONY SAYS IS ALSO A TWAT.
ALISTAIR DARLING IS PROBABLY A TWAT.
DEAD KEN IS AN ENORMOUS MOANING SOUNDING TWAT.
I'VE MISSED SOME TWATS SO THEY TOO ARE ALL TWATS.
ALAS MOST OF THE OPPOSITION ARE TWATS EXCEPT FOR BORIS JOHNSON WHO LIKES FAST CARS. HE KNOWS HE@S A TWAT AND PLAYS ON IT THAT SHOULD BE APPLAUDED.
AND MOST OF US ARE TWATS BECAUSE WE'll PROBABLY VOTE FOR THEM AGAIN NEXT TIME.
SAY AFTER ME. T. W. A. T. S TWATS.
JOHN PRESCOTT IS A TWAT
ROBIN COOK's PARENT SHOULD BE ASHAMED. THEY ARE TWATS.
THE TWAT WITH THE GLASSES WHO NODS AND AGREES WITH ALL THE TWATTISH TWOT THAT TONY SAYS IS ALSO A TWAT.
ALISTAIR DARLING IS PROBABLY A TWAT.
DEAD KEN IS AN ENORMOUS MOANING SOUNDING TWAT.
I'VE MISSED SOME TWATS SO THEY TOO ARE ALL TWATS.
ALAS MOST OF THE OPPOSITION ARE TWATS EXCEPT FOR BORIS JOHNSON WHO LIKES FAST CARS. HE KNOWS HE@S A TWAT AND PLAYS ON IT THAT SHOULD BE APPLAUDED.
AND MOST OF US ARE TWATS BECAUSE WE'll PROBABLY VOTE FOR THEM AGAIN NEXT TIME.
SAY AFTER ME. T. W. A. T. S TWATS.
Perhaps relevant here, is that Clarkson on top gear a couple of weeks ago quoted:
"The average journey is 16% longer than it was 4 years ago and there are exactly the same amount of cars on the roads now as there were 4 years ago"
In other words the cause of the increase in congestion is purely down to the governments anti - car policies
i.e. bus lanes, speed humps, traffic light fiddling, lowered speed limits, speed cameras........
"The average journey is 16% longer than it was 4 years ago and there are exactly the same amount of cars on the roads now as there were 4 years ago"
In other words the cause of the increase in congestion is purely down to the governments anti - car policies
i.e. bus lanes, speed humps, traffic light fiddling, lowered speed limits, speed cameras........
I guess it's just a shame that the demands of modernisation and performance improvement measures which even firemen (sorry- firefighters) are being subjected to shortly, aren't applied to Politicians. If they were, I think we'd be cancelling thier performance bonuses.
I seem to recall that in Year 1, Tony Blair started to publish an annual report saying how well New Labya were doing... interesting that they haven't published another since 1998 though...
I seem to recall that in Year 1, Tony Blair started to publish an annual report saying how well New Labya were doing... interesting that they haven't published another since 1998 though...
My humble apologies for my drunken tirade a a few nights back. Although there appears to be some truth in my words my lack of explanation for calling the Laboured Govt and other UK parties a bunch of twats was unfair.
I think we now deserve a change in the way things happen in the UK. What with reality TV and the number of ways we can now get fleeced for our hard earned money. Why not a change - it appears that everything must be updated and reassesses except politics and the govt. Watching grown men behave the way they do in Parliament is absurd. A govt when voted in should have a number of firm committments to make - lets say ten. This is what gets them voted in and this what they must concentrate on. At the end of their period in office (4 years is plenty) we look at the scorecard (marked independently) and see what they have achieved or haven't in our current govts case. naturally their objectives need to be SMART so they can be judged. If they fail to meet the required number of objectives then they fail to get the opportunity to stand again. None of this spin or spending more of OUR money to cover up and advertise their way out of accepting what they have not achieved. This way you get a fairer rotation and the Govt accountable. This way the politicians dont spend wasted time arguing about nothing but really working hard to ensure that their policies are robust and achievable. Just imagine what could have been done with £1billion odd that they used to build a tent for twenty years in Greenwihc. Why does it cost millions for it to just sit their empty ? Our current govt can not afford to fulfil the promises they made us. they have recently admitted it. Where do we honestly think the shortfall will come from ? You guessed it. Thousands of parking attendants in our capital, congestion charging, Gatso's are all their for one reason - assisting the shortfall. what about the fiasco caused by the january Sales surely there should be a person tax for these days too. Where's the fireworks ? Wheres the Olympics and the World Cup ? Where's the National Stadium (for a sensible amount of money ...).
Happy New Year.
I think we now deserve a change in the way things happen in the UK. What with reality TV and the number of ways we can now get fleeced for our hard earned money. Why not a change - it appears that everything must be updated and reassesses except politics and the govt. Watching grown men behave the way they do in Parliament is absurd. A govt when voted in should have a number of firm committments to make - lets say ten. This is what gets them voted in and this what they must concentrate on. At the end of their period in office (4 years is plenty) we look at the scorecard (marked independently) and see what they have achieved or haven't in our current govts case. naturally their objectives need to be SMART so they can be judged. If they fail to meet the required number of objectives then they fail to get the opportunity to stand again. None of this spin or spending more of OUR money to cover up and advertise their way out of accepting what they have not achieved. This way you get a fairer rotation and the Govt accountable. This way the politicians dont spend wasted time arguing about nothing but really working hard to ensure that their policies are robust and achievable. Just imagine what could have been done with £1billion odd that they used to build a tent for twenty years in Greenwihc. Why does it cost millions for it to just sit their empty ? Our current govt can not afford to fulfil the promises they made us. they have recently admitted it. Where do we honestly think the shortfall will come from ? You guessed it. Thousands of parking attendants in our capital, congestion charging, Gatso's are all their for one reason - assisting the shortfall. what about the fiasco caused by the january Sales surely there should be a person tax for these days too. Where's the fireworks ? Wheres the Olympics and the World Cup ? Where's the National Stadium (for a sensible amount of money ...).
Happy New Year.
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