London Congestion Charge

[cdd]

Just to let you know this is a rant thread, so if you don't feel in the mood for a good long rant, perhaps you should leave now

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Also known as the SuckasmuchmoneyaspossibleundertheexcuseofbeingEnvironmentallyFriendly charge, what do you guys think about the fact Ken Livingstone (London's pathetic excuse for a mayor -- let's not forget that concrete block he built which were meant to be government offices but actually never were and will probably get bulldozed soon), he cast a vote to the resisdents in K&C about whether they'd like to have the congestion charge installed (as an extended, 'second' ring, so to speak) in the area. Now anyone who lives in London will know that there is practically no traffic in that area, and unsurprisingly he received a wholehearted "no" when he tried to put it past them. However, he's decided to close his eyes to this poll and build it anyway.

Now I hope you'll excuse me ranting here, but how hypocritical can he be?

<ul>
<li> Ken "puts it to the people"</li>
<li> Ken gets a big "NO"</li>
<li> Ken realises that his little earner isn't proving popular, so:</li>
<li> Ken commences plans on it anyway, this time ignoring the people.</li>
</ul>

It's at times like this that I just want to sigh.

That is all,

C

[James Hatts]

let's not forget that concrete block he built which were meant to be government offices but actually never were and will probably get bulldozed soon

What's that then?

[Big Brother]

I don't think the Congestion charge was supposed to be popular. Infact it's doing it's job surely by detterring motorists using the area's it's in.

Not having been to London myself I don't know how bad the traffic is but from what I've seen on the TV and in the papers - traffic is quite bad. What else is he supposed to do? Build new roads? Create the flying car?

Why does it bother you... are you old enough to drive?

[cdd]

I don't think the Congestion charge was supposed to be popular. Infact it's doing it's job surely by detterring motorists using the area's it's in.

Not having been to London myself I don't know how bad the traffic is but from what I've seen on the TV and in the papers - traffic is quite bad. What else is he supposed to do? Build new roads? Create the flying car?

Why does it bother you... are you old enough to drive?

I actually agree with the first ring of the congestion charge - traffic was really bad and it put an immediate halt to it. However, this second ring I think is totally unreasonable, and my point is that he shouldn't have even made it a public vote if he was planning to ignore it!

let's not forget that concrete block he built which were meant to be government offices but actually never were and will probably get bulldozed soon

What's that then?

I forget the area, but if you want I'll find you a picture of the ghastly thing!

[Brad]

Is the charge still £6 a day? I think it was that when it was introduced.

[cdd]

Is the charge still £6 a day? I think it was that when it was introduced.

£5/day you drive in

[Inspector Sands]

I don't think the Congestion charge was supposed to be popular. Infact it's doing it's job surely by detterring motorists using the area's it's in.

Indeed, it's not meant to be popular, it's meant to do its job. Politicians are not there to make popular decisions.

That's what I like about Ken. Any other politician would have spent years doing consultations and listening to those with vested interests about what he shoud do and it would take forever. Ken came to power and just did what he thought was for the best with the proviso that if the system didn't work he would ditch it. But it did work and he was re-elected.

He's quite a conviction politician, others will come up with an idea and then when the papers campaign against it will water down or scrap their plans.

[Inspector Sands]

(London's pathetic excuse for a mayor -- let's not forget that concrete block he built which were meant to be government offices but actually never were and will probably get bulldozed soon)

Do you mean the GLC building in the middle of the roundabout at Waterloo? If so not only was it over 20 years ago it was also a GLC decision and not Ken's alone. In fact if it wasn't used surely that's the fault of the people who axed the council?

[James Hatts]

Do you mean the GLC building in the middle of the roundabout at Waterloo? If so not only was it over 20 years ago it was also a GLC decision and not Ken's alone. In fact if it wasn't used surely that's the fault of the people who axed the council?

I also suspected that cdd was referring to the County Hall annexe - but as you say it was not Ken's decision to build it, and it was certainly used - I know someone who used to work there.

[Johnny]

I think the congestion charge is a good idea but a discount should be done for people who visit everyday.

And although I can't drive I ain't a tree hugger. I don't think cars should be banned from central London completely (except Oxford Street) but it's not that difficult to get round central london

[Inspector Sands]

I think the congestion charge is a good idea but a discount should be done for people who visit everyday.

Eh? the people who it every day are the people who congest it!