The car as a freedom-of-choice transport means

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At the behest of my (fairly) new employer having now had to drive thrice from just North of Peterborough to a location near Bicester for training, having to negotiate the delights of the A605, A45 and A43, I can't help but wonder if the days of unrestricted vehicular travel in some parts of the country aren't numbered? Whilst some parts of the journey were reasonably free-flowing many were not, leading me to wonder if some times of day and/or journeys might have to run via a schedule in future to avoid gridlock. Possibile or am I dreaming (like Brians mum in the Jerusalem stable)?
Your thoughts welcomed as ever

 

[Spark plug]

Personally I can't see it happening, but something is going to have to be done.

I have the pleasure of only livening 2.34 miles from work so I cycle and I win all round. But I can't comprehend how people spend hours sitting in traffic every day to go to work.

 

[barracuda816]

I think you are right, with the population growth and increasing standard of living on this small island the transport infrastructure is going to need some kind of overhaul to even maintain the poor level its currently at.

I would like to see hgv/lgv restrictions during rush hours and an increase in cycle lane and at the risk of being cycles prohibited on roads that dont have a cycle lane as i regularly see large traffic constrictions on caused by a single cyclist. Its not that they are doing anything wrong, and they have the right at the moment but bikes are not compatible with narrow carriageways and fast moving traffic.

P.s I blame Beeching

 

[Spark plug]

Some people can't understand either that if they in took into account their traveling time and cost into their hourly rate they would be better off takeing a job for less money closer to home.

I'm not saying this will work for everyone but I've seen people leave a stable job in order to get a little bit more an hour but have to drive 30 mile extra each way to get it.

 

[Pete.]

Every day my commute is nearly 100% queuing traffic. I leave my company van at home and take my own bike or I'd go mad.

 

[AndyStobbs]

We really should move more by rail freight.

 

[Spark plug]

On the A1 near Newcastle slow moveing vehicles JCB's, tractors and the like arnt alowed during rush hour.

 

[rtbcomp]

I used to be a field service engineer up to 1985 and even then the driving got on my nerves. Luckily we didn't have mobile phones in those days!

It wouldn't be so bad if we took the commuters and school mums off the roads and configure public transport so it suits the passengers and not the bus companies.

In Sheffield my local bus timetable says "frequent service after 08:00" that's no good if you want to catch a train or keep an appointment. The bus in the other direction turns round half way along its route if it's running late.

We need to take a look at urban planning too, it's OK building tall office blocks which hold a large volume of people, but at travel times this volume spreads over an area to travel - like tipping a can of paint over.

 

[BrokenBiker]

Some people can't understand either that if they in took into account their traveling time and cost into their hourly rate they would be better off takeing a job for less money closer to home.

I'm not saying this will work for everyone but I've seen people leave a stable job in order to get a little bit more an hour but have to drive 30 mile extra each way to get it.

i did, i took a job that is 10 mins up the road to replace a job that was 40 mins up the road, its less money overall but im spending less on fuel so overall im in the same boat as i was before...have gone from spending 60-70 quid a week in fuel to 15 quid a week, so quite a saving compared to old travel arrangements

 

[brightspark]

they should ban mothers takin kids to school. the roads are generaly clear apart from 8 till 9am and 3 thirty till 4 thirty school kid run whats up with there legs

 

[rtbcomp]

i did, i took a job that is 10 mins up the road to replace a job that was 40 mins up the road, its less money overall but im spending less on fuel so overall im in the same boat as i was before...have gone from spending 60-70 quid a week in fuel to 15 quid a week, so quite a saving compared to old travel arrangements

You'll be paying less PAYE too

 

[Spark plug]

i did, i took a job that is 10 mins up the road to replace a job that was 40 mins up the road, its less money overall but im spending less on fuel so overall im in the same boat as i was before...have gone from spending 60-70 quid a week in fuel to 15 quid a week, so quite a saving compared to old travel arrangements

And you'll have more time to fix the megane

 

[BrokenBiker]

yes...that is always a bonus...tracking needs doing again....no idea why though

 

[Parm]

i did, i took a job that is 10 mins up the road to replace a job that was 40 mins up the road, its less money overall but im spending less on fuel so overall im in the same boat as i was before...have gone from spending 60-70 quid a week in fuel to 15 quid a week, so quite a saving compared to old travel arrangements

But it's no fun when that 10 min journey takes 4 hours cause the car didn't work

 

[brightspark]

He would probably spend less if he just phoned a cab rather than owning that french money pit...

or bought a mountain bike and got sum exercise

 

[BrokenBiker]

But it's no fun when that 10 min journey takes 4 hours cause the car didn't work

that hasnt happened yet...yet...the mrs has just got a new job, starting monday, 16.6 miles form the house so one of our main priorities now is a replacement car

 

[awemawson]

It all started with planning laws and the desire for clean air. Times gone by industry, offices and houses were cheek by jowl and most people walked to work. Now towns and cities have developed mainly into a radial pattern with offices in the centre, a ring of industry (if any ), then houses in the outer green bit.

I also used to work in a service capacity, covering tens of thousands of miles a year all over the uk by car, and towards the end it became a right pain such that I no longer enjoyed driving.

Since I retired my 'morning commute' is now a two minute walk across the farm yard to feed the pigs, and then divert into my workshop to play, with the occasional diversion into the field the check on the sheep - far more civilised

 

[stormin]

Ive spent approximately twenty years commuting from Northeast Manchester, Oldham Rochdale area to South Manchester, Stockport and Sale. A long journey I know.

Over the years ive gone from being able to set off at 7am and get to work by half past to now setting off at 6.15 to try and get in by 7.15 to avoid worst of traffic.
Stockport are spending £80 million on road improvements over the next couple of years not sure how much difference it'll make. Likewise there's the smart motorway scheme for M60 / M62 not sure how much good that will do either. At least money is being spent on transport infrastructure and it keeps me in work.

 

[optima21]

Some people can't understand either that if they in took into account their traveling time and cost into their hourly rate they would be better off takeing a job for less money closer to home.

I'm not saying this will work for everyone but I've seen people leave a stable job in order to get a little bit more an hour but have to drive 30 mile extra each way to get it.

many years ago when I was unemployed I can remember signing on for an agency in Leeds (a nearby city), and they asked me what salary I'd be looking for, I said £14,000 if it was in my home town or £20,000 if it was in Leeds. so they asked why it cost so much more for Leeds, so I told them, it was the cost of getting there and the cost of my time commuting. I live a 25 minute walk from where I live, so Im glad I dont have to travel by car to work anymore

 

[awemawson]

Storming - that trip sounds horribly familiar. I worked for Ferranti for many years based in central London, but was in Oldham frequently, and also Moston and Wythenshawe.

Mind you it used to hack me off, when I had an 08:30 meeting in Wythenshawe and was on time having come from south of London, and the local staff were late