SlowDownDerek
UTC Legend
Whilst I fully accept the benefits of cycling for exercise/recreation nobody has passed any comment about the fiscal reality of splashing the cash to the tune of £120M in the BCP area and rising. Another Bumbling Boris whiz idea on the back of his fag packet high on headlines low on detail.
The country, because of Covid, has a severe economic problem that will take possibly decades to resolve and party manifesto or not will cost us all in the form of taxation. I am of the opinion that public spending should come with caution on the packet. There are things the country needs to have and those that are nice to have but affordability must be the key.
The tribute to public sector waste on Castle Lane has been mentioned or spot the cyclist. A minority of the population and the spending in my view is totally disproportionate for the minority that will use the cycle lanes etc surrounded by concrete, difficult to clean I suggest, or not.
A 5 minute Covid wonder when people had nothing to do, nowhere to go in nice weather created a mini cycling hick-up of activity. The Unity shambles locally jumped on the bandwagon of Government money and nobody has challenged it because Mike Greene of the present administration is yet another bike zealot. The road space is limited despite the best intentions of the schemes. Has there been a reality check that depends on which side you sit on.
The Lycra mafia will still take to the roads, 2 or 3 abreast, on a Sunday roads not lanes. The school run, shopping (excluding Internet based deliveries) and commuting will be unchanged especially when the weather changes.
Each to their own but to me as a tax/Council tax payer it is the Emperor's New Clothes or Fools Gold syndrome and not good value for the majority.
That is my view I know others will not agree but the bottom line the money, our money, can only be spent once.
Tax on emissions should increase to pay for greener travel. We don't get to opt out of your pollution so the least you should do is pay for the damage you do. If you had to bear the full cost of your decisions you'd probably hold a different view. The health of our people is more than just a 'nice-to-have'.