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Viva la France!
Page 9
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Mr X looks on in awe as the French government asks its populace for advice...
What's this I hear-a government ministry asking the public for ideas? Surely I must be dreaming. Ministers and their entourage never stoop so low as to ask the users of their services for advice, do they? After all, that would be encouraging sensible solutions; usually something government departments are allergic to.
After the third time I heard the announcement, the message began to sink in. Broadcast on regional radio stations throughout the country at frequent intervals, the message was loud and clear; "help us to get it right" with details of a website on which your ideas can be submitted. As the ministry in question was responsible for roads I struggled to contain my natural urge to log on and get writing. Unfortunately my command of the language in question, while stretching to asking for a loaf of bread or another bottle of wine, does not extend to making suggestions about the layout of junctions, traffic light phasing and so on. As some of you may have guessed I wasn't in dear old Blighty at the time, but sunning myself on the French Riviera.
I am not one of those people who think everything in France is wonderful -far from it but one has to admire their far-sighted approach to transport infrastructure. From 200mph trains to continuously updated motorways, they do seem to have got it just that little bit more right than our own beloved Ministry of Transport, or whatever it masquerades as today. And to prove it, here is an expensively produced and co-ordinated initiative, broadcast at peak time, asking for participation in planning and improvement.
Would it not be encouraging if we, as essential users of the road system, were given the opportunity to have some say in the planning of new initiatives? From simple junction "Improvements" to full-scale bypasses, there is a lot to be learned from the experienced driver.
It would make good sense to get things right first time. I am sure we all have a "pet" junction or stretches of road that make our blood boil each time we use them and which could be made safer with just a can of white paint!
I am not one of those people who think everything in Rance is wonderful but you have to admire their infrastructure"