Ladyboy vists the North East

Honest John Back Room » Motoring discussion
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Fri 30 Jun 2006 13:49
Ladyboy vists the North East - Snakey
Well, the transport Minister Ladyman (or whatever it is) visted the North East to 'open' a section of dual carriageway (that motorists can't use for several weeks) and announces that the area would be ideal for a trial of road pricing and 'congestion' measures.

Uh-oh.

Especially as the 'measures' are at 'peak times'. In other words, when everyone is trying to get to work. I have a vision of the future, it will cost me £50 a week extra to travel, yet the level of congestion remains the same due to the alternatives not being viable.

Speaking as resident of nearby Durham, I can safely say the anti-congestion measures touted by the council have simply increased traffic problems in key areas. Has anyone else noticed this pattern in their area?
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Fri 30 Jun 2006 14:21
Ladyboy vists the North East - Roberson
Is this Scotswood Road you refer to Snakey?

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Fri 30 Jun 2006 14:39
Ladyboy visits the North East - Thommo
I have always been of the opinion that we do not have a capacity problem but a scheduling problem.

With computers and mobile phones and video conferencing etc etc plus with little bit of flexibility on the part of employers I believe the whole problem could be solved by just staggering work start and finishing times.

Unfortunately in every company I have ever worked for the guy (or woman in one case) in charge has been a PINK FLUFFY DICE (beat the mods to it) control freak who insisted everyone was at their desks at 9am sharp or else for no better reason than as an open exercise of power.

Think about it. In 2006 the concept of a rush hour is ridiculous.

Rant over.
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Fri 30 Jun 2006 14:49
Ladyboy visits the North East - artful dodger {P}
>>Unfortunately in every company I have ever worked for the guy (or woman in one case) in charge has been a PINK FLUFFY DICE (beat the mods to it) control freak who insisted everyone was at their desks at 9am sharp or else for no better reason than as an open exercise of power.

It is the only thing those in charge can actually measure. Nothing worse than someone who is always early and then is lazy or slow at working, yet someone who is 5 minutes late and works hard all day is ticked off. Just shows those in charge know little about motivating their staff.


--
Roger
I read frequently, but only post when I have something useful to say.
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Fri 30 Jun 2006 14:50
Ladyboy visits the North East - daveyjp
I work flexi time which means I can avoid the mad rush. One problem with your theory is schools can't offer flexi time and how many journeys to work are dictated by schools start time?

If I leave home at 8am I'm in the office for 8.20. If I leave at 8.20 it takes me until at least 9am - the main road leading to the office has four schools - these are responsible for most of the delay. If I leave at 8.45 I'm back to 20 minutes. Come school holidays the journey takes no more than 20 minutes regardless of when I leave home.

A major supermarket has just opened a new HQ which is on my journey home - last night I was near there at 5.10pm and all 2,000 cars seemed to be leaving at the same time as you can imagine this causes lengthy queues.
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Fri 30 Jun 2006 14:39
Ladyboy vists the North East - Snakey
It is indeed- the newly dualled section!

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Fri 30 Jun 2006 14:54
Ladyboy vists the North East - Roberson
I never even knew they were doing this, but I don't go into town that way. It appears Tyneside as a whole could be a target for 'congestion charging'.

Just found the Chronicles coverage of the story: tinyurl.com/kpp4v

Thommo - couldn't agree more.
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Fri 30 Jun 2006 15:09
Ladyboy vists the North East - Snakey
It seems a little bizarre as well to dual a section of road leading to the city centre, then announce congestion charges. So, the new section lets you get yourself to the charging zone quicker!
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