24th February 2007, 03:21 PM
Slow/crawling traffic - yes it's less efficient but the total emission/consumption is less - the engine is at tickover as opposed to 2000-4000 revs. There again there is the matter of vehicles per unit time over a given spot - again it is not a simple catchphrase answer.
The supermarket thing is a separate issue, more to do with, well, supermarkets, than traffic congestion etc. Walk round a French supermarket (or indeed a French motorway services) and you will see a world of difference. Local and regional produce, cheaper than here.
How about getting freight off the roads and back onto trains? Re-opening small stations on existing lines like Hipperholme and Lightcliffe? Maybe building new lines if and where necessary. To do this requires an increase in income tax - help with the NHS and education too - which of course then relates to the ability to pay, unlike flat rate punitve taxes. If you can afford an BMW or Rangie a congestion charge probably won't bother you.
Staggered working days are an intriguing idea but I wonder how much effect they could have? The rush "hour" is more or less 7.30 to 9.30 I suppose, perhaps more condensed in city centres where most are office workers.
If they implemented policies along these lines I would be more convinced the government was genuine in its intentions.
We owe the dead nothing but the truth.
The supermarket thing is a separate issue, more to do with, well, supermarkets, than traffic congestion etc. Walk round a French supermarket (or indeed a French motorway services) and you will see a world of difference. Local and regional produce, cheaper than here.
How about getting freight off the roads and back onto trains? Re-opening small stations on existing lines like Hipperholme and Lightcliffe? Maybe building new lines if and where necessary. To do this requires an increase in income tax - help with the NHS and education too - which of course then relates to the ability to pay, unlike flat rate punitve taxes. If you can afford an BMW or Rangie a congestion charge probably won't bother you.
Staggered working days are an intriguing idea but I wonder how much effect they could have? The rush "hour" is more or less 7.30 to 9.30 I suppose, perhaps more condensed in city centres where most are office workers.
If they implemented policies along these lines I would be more convinced the government was genuine in its intentions.
We owe the dead nothing but the truth.