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On the wrong track
Page 66
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Why can't the roads be run more like the rail network and give compensation for delays, asks
Peter Orr
If! was a closet News of the World reader with pretensions I would also take The Times :This would have brought to my attentionVOSA's ad for a leader someone to drag this 19th century organisation kicking and screaming into the 21st century.
My motivation for wishing to take control is hinted at by the following question: how can my trailer, prepared by excellent engineers at Cannon Commercials, using the latest state-of-theart brake testing machine, then fail a brake test at its MoT using VOSA's worn-out, over-used, knackered machinery, half an hour later?
Government in control
Our government has recently taken control of the rail network, or at least the tracks. One of the stated benefits to private train operators is that the procedure to obtain compensation for track delays has been simplified.
Let's look at that again.The private train operators,who pay to use the track just as we pay to use the roads, have a system that gives them financial compensation for delays on their tracks.
I do not see any difference whatsoever between private train operators and us, and in particular our coach-operating friends. No doubt the Road Haulage Association and the Freight Transport Association have been fighting tooth and nail for our congestion compensation I expect our cheques are among the 16 million letters the Post Office supposedly loses each year.
One year ago! was privileged to begin donating to this effort, just as John Prescott's 10-year plan for transport was in its premature death throes. Now, as 1 celebrate an anniversary, we have Alistair Darling's 30-year plan for transport. Like buses, no doubt, another will be along in a minute.
The problem is that none of them are going our way.The only guarantee is that our road network will continue to deteriorate and the financial burden on road users will continue to rise unless action is taken now.
But, we, a small team, have a cunning plan. No big deal -just a plan to do with the UK road network what we have watched our Continental neighbours do with theirs. In particular the French, who have widened their autoroutes with the minimum of disruption and at minimum cost without raising the hackles of the environmentalists over a mass of land consumption.
Towns,cities, bypasses... we believe we can sort the lot outnot overnight, but almost, sufficient to cause a massive reduction in the £25bn annual cost of congestion.
Step aside, Darling
Almost two years ago I wrote to Darling offering our services. One of his lackeys replied. informing me of all the Highways Agency was achieving through the expenditure of half a billion pounds, out of a tax take of almost £40bn. It sucks. Step aside Darling, Britain cannot afford you or the Highways Agency any longer! •