[David9694]

A new catch-all Tea Shop thread for those miscellaneous new stories that don’t quite fit with parking, crashing into buildings or trapped/prisoners in their homes. 

Topic

[brooksby]

Scrapping free car parks

Scrapping free car parks could frighten away shoppers 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c8rkxl7rm0ko

Work to reverse town’s wiggly lines ‘devastating’ (Clevedon, again – brooksby)

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn0109gzll0o

[Hirsute]

Should have been wearing hi

Should have been wearing hi viz

Arrest after vehicle crashes into police car on M11

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cjw23pnde6jo

[Hirsute]

”  in Washington last year, a

”  in Washington last year, a traffic crash killed or seriously injured someone every 2.7 hours, but I’ve never seen a TV news station claim that even a single horrific crash “highlights the dangers” of roadway travel. “

[mdavidford]

Looking at streetview, they

Looking at streetview, they are correct that large signs have been replaced with small ones. But that’s because they were previously telling you that you were going from a 20 limit into a 30 limit, whereas now you’re going from a 20 into, er, a 20, so you only get a repeater sign. And there actually appear to be 20 repeaters where there were no 30 repeaters before.

[brooksby]

pockstone wrote:

Yet more from Somersetshire:

https://www.somersetlive.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/thousands-drivers-fined-after-speed-9943796?int_source=nba

I had a look at the streetside view from 2021 and wonder if the veracity of the byline’s claim re. ‘The original 30mph signs were taken down and replaced with fewer and significantly smaller 20mph signs when the limit was lowered.’ could stand some scrutiny. 

I’m more amazed by the claim that there are actual speed cameras there 

[brooksby]

I’d tend to cede priority to

I’d tend to cede priority to the person coming up the hill, as reversing down a hill is an interesting experience, IME.

[brooksby]

I’d tend to cede priority to

I’d tend to cede priority to the person coming up the hill, as reversing down a hill is an interesting experience, IME.

[pockstone]

Yet more from Somersetshire:

Yet more from Somersetshire:

https://www.somersetlive.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/thousands-drivers-fined-after-speed-9943796?int_source=nba

I had a look at the streetside view from 2021 and wonder if the veracity of the byline’s claim re. ‘The original 30mph signs were taken down and replaced with fewer and significantly smaller 20mph signs when the limit was lowered.’ could stand some scrutiny. 

[David9694]

Controversial Bath bus gate

Controversial Bath bus gate cancelled after backlash

24 residents associations and a GP surgery had warned against the plan

The issue of through-traffic avoiding the busy London Road and using residential streets remains a pressing concern for every resident I’ve spoken to.

Mr Guy added: “A great deal of misinformation has been spread about this draft scheme, which has caused unnecessary confusion and concern among the community. Again, I want to be clear that the aim is to improve our streets and create a safer, more sustainable environment for everyone, but it’s vital that we find a solution that truly reflects the needs of our community.”

https://www.somersetlive.co.uk/news/local-news/controversial-bath-bus-gate-cancelled-9956439?int_source=nba

[David9694]

This is a bit more like it:

This is a bit more like it: Hereford western bypass plan: Councillor Toni Fagan comment

Coun Fagan, of the Green party, told the Hereford Times: “Transport planners have understood for decades that additional capacity encourages more people to drive, quickly filling up the new road space and leading to a return of congestion levels, often worse than before. This proposed road will see additional heavy traffic from the Midlands through communities like Much Birch and Harewood End, already struggling with heavy traffic, high speeds and increased road rubbish.

“The western bypass which will now encompass 10,000 additional houses, will encourage more vehicles. Any relief to the city centre will be marginal and temporary.

“The western bypass also presents other critical issues. It will severely impact Herefordshire’s stability, with no external funding secured and escalating costs from necessary off-setting and engineering requirements. 

“The project also undermines the carbon reduction and emissions targets.”

https://www.herefordtimes.com/news/24937526.hereford-western-bypass-plan-councillor-toni-fagan-comment/

[chrisonabike]

No, I’m not – I have no idea

No, I’m not – I have no idea where this person lives.  I just made an assumption.  All I know is that the story linked in the OP appeared in the Manchester Evening News, references her (falsely) being reported driving in Cheshire and Kingsway in south Manchester, and that she is dealing with the Greater Manchester police.

[Spangly Shiny]

You sure it’s the Swinton in

You sure it’s the Swinton in Greater Manchester and not the one in South Yorkshire?

[Spangly Shiny]

That’s all good for UK, but a

That’s all good for UK, but a San Francisco resident tells me that priority is afforded to the descending driver there, in case of braking problems.

[stonojnr]

Sturmer potholes causing
Sturmer potholes causing chaos https://www.eadt.co.uk/news/24940891.sturmer-a1017-potholes-near-haverhill-slammed-residents/

Comes with a video too
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1HbxsvG66S/

[Jogle]

I think that the could be

I think that the could be distilled to “I don’t like cycling and so neither should you. And I don’t like buses. Now stop wasting my money on cycling infrastructure where I want to drive”

Daily Echo wrote:

[b]‘Very few people enjoy cycling’ – Letter[/b]

Whilst advocates of cycling are vociferous in their support of this mode of transport, their beliefs and motives have so obviously been rejected by the huge majority of the travelling public. How can this simple statement be denied?

 

It would appear that virtue-signalling politicians and similarly motivated local councillors buy into this ideology, using everyone’s money—gleaned via taxation, road traffic fines and suchlike—to create even more miles of rarely used cycle lanes.

 

I would suggest, as proven in reality, that very few enjoy or prefer to ride a bicycle.

 

The whole scenario reminds me of the tale of The Emperor’s New Clothes. Everyone “on message” wants to be seen as aware and saying the right thing… until suddenly, some innocent points out the obvious and asks, “What clothes?” Or in this case, “What bike riders?!”

 

Furthermore, I strongly suspect that our councillors, politicians, and civil servants are not dashing around the city or county from meeting to meeting on their trusty tredder! Nor is the private corporate business sector.

 

Have you ever heard of an MP, a local leading councillor, or a civil servant insisting they must have access to the corporate bone shaker? I very much doubt it. Furthermore, if the “company bike” is unavailable, are they then stood in line with the rest of us at the bus stop, waiting for a bus that may not even turn up?

 

For us peasants, having secured a doctor’s appointment two weeks in advance, to then be left deserted at the roadside is, of course, our own fault. Be we sixteen or seventy, we really should have been frantically pedalling our way to the surgery.

 

In my view, the majority of car users are not lazy, pro-pollution, or anti-cyclist. It is simply a case of work, lifestyle, personal capability, and practicalities.

 

Surrounding the city are numerous estates and new urban development’s consisting of thousands of dwellings. Other than those in peak physical condition, the ability of the rest to complete multiple journeys in a day by bike is pretty much inconceivable.

 

Many would likely be beaten on their first “Mini Switzerland” hill climb! With ice-cold gusty winds, unpredictable rain, specialist bikewear, and a bag full of alternative clothing, no wonder many would be out of puff before they’d even had a chance to skip their first red light!

 

And how does it work socially? I’ve never been asked off the cuff, “Can I offer you a lift home on my crossbar?” Or when going on a romantic date, does one agree to meet up somewhere on their bike, hoping her glamorous frock doesn’t get caught in the chain?

 

Furthermore, what happens when going out for a celebratory meal with family or friends? Do six of us sit at the table in sweaty leggings, hi-vis Lycra safety vests, complete with 12 pairs of bicycle clips and six crash helmets (hope no one’s had their hair done!), or have we brought suits, gowns, and best clobber to change into?  

 

Then, after our five-course buffet—including suet pudding and custard—do we somehow all wobble home together at the same time and speed?

 

I could go on. Whatever the case, suffice to say, I remain unconvinced that we are heading in the right direction of travel.

[B]J Martin

Hedge End[/b]

https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/24937452.echo-reader-says-its-proven-people-enjoy-cycling/

[Author]

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