| Motoring Discussion > Election 2010 for the motorist | Miscellaneous |
| Thread Author: Stuu | Replies: 33 |
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New Sun 21 Mar 10 19:28
Election 2010 for the motorist - Stuu
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I havent heard one single policy from anyone concerning road travel. Are they missing a trick somewhere? It may well be they have some, but ive not heard about them and I refuse to digest entire manifestos try and find one! |
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New Sun 21 Mar 10 21:14
Election 2010 for the motorist - henry k
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All I have noted, IIRC Clegg has said that the planned increase in fuel tax should not be dropped. Get polishing yer bike ? |
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New Sun 21 Mar 10 21:21
Election 2010 for the motorist - -
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Lets be honest, we wouldn't believe any of them said anyway, bad times are coming and the good old anti social hard working motorist is going to be paying ever higher amounts through the nose for decades. |
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New Mon 22 Mar 10 09:03
Election 2010 for the motorist - movilogo
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Long time back Conservatives claimed they would increase motorway speed limit to 80 MPH. Don't know whether that is still on their agenda. TBH, people drive 80+ MPH on motorways anyway. |
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New Mon 22 Mar 10 09:52
Election 2010 for the motorist - Old Navy
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Oil is about $80 a barrel at the moment, road fuel £1.20 / £1.30. The £6 gallon is not far off. The politicians are quiet on the subject because it is all bad news and taxation will increase.
Last edited by: Old Navy on Mon 22 Mar 10 at 09:53
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New Mon 22 Mar 10 10:00
Election 2010 for the motorist - Stuu
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Im sure they could throw some gesture legislation in, like the 80 mph motorway limit, which wouldnt be too difficult. I have no problem with populist minor policies, sometimes its these little things that irritate the masses more than the big questions. |
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New Mon 22 Mar 10 11:09
Election 2010 for the motorist - idle_chatterer
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But wasn't the 70mph limit a reaction to high oil prices ? The US went for 55mph and took decades to increase this to 65mph. Consequently I expect the 70mph limit to stay in homage to environmental arguments. Likewise the high tax on fuel, higher road taxes, higher BIK for company motorists etc etc. The money's got to come from somewhere and unfortunately working people with middle incomes are a soft target for all parties, I expect no change whatever government we have next. |
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New Mon 22 Mar 10 11:27
Election 2010 for the motorist - tyro
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Stu: "I havent heard one single policy from anyone concerning road travel." From the websites: The Labour Party While working to make motoring greener, we are also giving local authorities powers, flexibility and funding to deliver innovative local solutions to congestion, and to improve local bus services, while tackling congestion on highways through better traffic management. We are investing in a £100 million commitment to encourage a mass market in electric and hybrid cars, and will spend up to £30 million over the next two years to deliver several hundred low carbon buses. The Conservative Party Britain’s road-users have had a raw deal under Labour. To make our roads safer, we will stop central government funding for new fixed speed cameras. We will switch to more effective ways to make our roads safer, such as vehicle activated signs. To address the hassle that so often comes with just trying to get around, we want to see our roads managed more efficiently so we get the best use out of limited road space. So we would give more flexibility to local councils to pilot schemes to get traffic flowing more smoothly. And we would introduce more transparency and democratic scrutiny over key decisions that affect people’s everyday commutes, for example on how traffic lights are sited and phased. We would make utilities who dig up our roads accountable for the congestion they cause. And we would crack down on the private clamping industry to put the cowboy clampers out of business. We will focus on tackling the worst bottlenecks on Britain’s roads. In some cases this will mean making better use of the capacity we have; in others, it may mean building new roads. Providing an improved public transport system, to make it easier for people to make greener transport choices will be an important element of our strategy to address the twin goals of tackling congestion and reducing pollution and carbon emissions from transport. We will put in place measures to deliver a national recharging network to boost greener driving choices and the switch to electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. And we will ensure that overseas trucks who use our roads contribute towards the cost of their maintenance, tackling a long-standing competitive disadvantage for domestic haulage companies. We will scrap Labour’s attempts to bully local councils into introducing local road pricing in return for vital transport funding. We will liberate this money, turning it into a Transport Carbon Reduction Fund, allowing local councils and voluntary groups to apply for funding for the green travel initiatives that work best for their communities, whether those are walking schemes, cycle priority, improved real-time information for bus services or other measures to make greener transport choices more attractive for families in Britain. We will reform the way decisions are made on which transport projects to prioritise, so that the benefits of low carbon proposals are fully recognised. To improve bus services, we will encourage partnerships between bus operators and local authorities because these arrangements have proven effectiveness in increasing bus use. We will review the way our roads are managed to ensure the concerns of cyclists are given a higher priority, with the goal of making cycling a safer and more attractive transport option. The Liberal Democrats We want to cut the number of lorries on our roads to reduce congestion and cut exhaust fumes. Liberal Democrats believe buses and trains should be affordable and reliable so people can have a real choice about how to travel. That’s how we can cut pollution and make it easy for people to leave their car at home. Labour has increased road building and the Conservatives plan a concerted programme of further road building. Both approaches will mean more traffic and pollution. We will not proceed with new major road-building schemes unless the benefits are clear, including environmental and safety factors, and based on a full assessment of alternative public transport schemes. Labour has failed to tackle congestion in Britain’s towns and cities. The planning system should be used to minimise the need for car use. Liberal Democrats will reverse the trend away from cycling and walking by: • Including promotion of safer cycling and pedestrian routes in all local transport plans. • Promoting local initiatives pioneered by Liberal Democrats such as ‘safe routes to school’ and ‘walking buses’ which encourage children walking safely to school. • Require new office blocks and other places of employment to have proper facilities for cycling (including cycle parking and proper changing facilities). • Providing personal travel advice and promotional activities on walking, cycling and bus alternatives. • Require train and coach operators to accommodate bicycles on all new vehicles, and improve cycle storage and parking at stations and bus stops. • Support cycle rental programmes such as the ‘Cyclocity’ scheme running successfully in Paris. Green zero-carbon vehicles – We will set a zero emissions target for all new cars by 2040. We will also extend targets to all other vehicles, to ensure that by 2050 all freight vehicles are running on electricity, sustainable biofuels or other renewable fuels. Last edited by: tyro on Mon 22 Mar 10 at 11:32
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New Mon 22 Mar 10 11:51
Election 2010 for the motorist - tyro
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SNP (From the 2007 Holyrood Election) Congestion on our roads - We do not believe Labour and Liberal Democrat proposals for a Toll Tax – charging motorist a new tax for using Scotland’s roads – is the right approach especially as so many Scottish families today do not have adequate access to alternative public transport. The SNP will aim to decouple ownership and usage of cars. We will persuade and not punish car users to use other modes. We will take three specific measures each of which will bring about a modal shift: - By encouraging the increased use of flexi working in the public sector, and home working. Every public sector body will be required within 6 months of our taking office to explain what its policy is and what has been preventing it from doing more, and to provide an action plan of measures. - Park and Ride Schemes have been terrifically successful. The SNP in government will require each city to provide its strategy within 6 months of the election showing what they will do to enhance Park and Ride provision by bus or train or both, in their area. We will work with Local Authorities to ensure every effort is made to fast-track schemes. - There should be greater consolidation of delivery services. In government we will work with the haulage industry to encourage consolidation of loads when doing deliveries into cities. We will also pilot a new scheme to tackle congestion during the school run. In Edinburgh school pupils will be given free bus travel before and after school to encourage greater use of public transport. This will include £4 million investment in modern buses, as a more effective alternative to the Edinburgh Trams scheme. Clearing our transport arteries - Alongside vital investment in our railway network to get the best return for our investment and make the most of current infrastructure, an SNP led Scottish government will take forward key improvements to nationally significant trunk routes, including among others the A9, A96 and A77. We will work closely with Regional Transport partnerships to ensure long-term planning for future road improvements. A new Forth crossing - Making the right decision on a replacement for the Forth Bridge is the most important transport task facing Scotland today. As a bottom line, we must be in a position to give early go-ahead for a replacement crossing. We must do all we can to remove any risk of a period of closure, with the devastating effect that would have on the economy of Scotland and in particular the economy of the east coast and north of our country. A new bridge remains an option, however we have concerns about both the construction cost and the time it will take from decision to delivery. In government we will do all we can to fast-track the planning and parliamentary process. And we will give full consideration to all options for the new crossing including a Forth Tunnel. Plaid Cymru The Plaid Cymru web site defeated me. I couldn't find a section on transport policy. Last edited by: tyro on Mon 22 Mar 10 at 11:54
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New Mon 22 Mar 10 12:08
Election 2010 for the motorist - tyro
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Plaid Cymru Found it! Welsh Assembly manifesto 2007 Building the transport infrastructure that Wales needs is a long term task and substantial investment is needed to achieve that aim and to reduce dependency on road travel. Creating better links, both road and rail, from the North, the West and the South Wales Valleys to Cardiff will be a priority. We are committed to reopening a limited number of railway lines and to dual track single lines. We will draw up a frm programme to upgrade North/West - South road links to be completed by 2015. We will create a fast, convenient national long distance express coach service, well-integrated with feeder rail and local bus services. We will give a new impetus to the fagging programmes to extend cycle paths and urban bus lanes; promote park and ride schemes and plan seamless links between transport modes. Plaid Cymru vision statement: We will seek to make Wales oil-free within a generation. We will encourage the shift to alternative fuels such as biodiesel, bioethanol or biogas of all transport paid for by the public purse by 2015, with the aim of cutting emissions from those vehicles by about 70%. Plaid Cymru 2005 Westminster manifesto (this is beginning to be rather out of date) Plaid Cymru the Party of Wales wants to see congestion charging in our main towns and cities as appropriate, with the funding going directly to public transport Last edited by: tyro on Mon 22 Mar 10 at 12:10
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New Mon 22 Mar 10 12:25
Election 2010 for the motorist - Stuu
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| Thanks for that, interesting reading. Just a shame that not one party has actively tried to make the public aware in the national press with any success. Ive had a gutfull of bankers and parliamentary reform ( Im happy for it to be tackled, but other issues in this country aswell that get little or no coverage ). |
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New Mon 22 Mar 10 12:27
Election 2010 for the motorist - Alanovich
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In the interests of fairness, it struck me that tyro has failed to represent the views of all the major parties of this country. Monster Raving Looney Party policies on transport (the bit about canals is actually quite good): 11: Safe Tractors Ban tractors from driving on roads, they can drive across their fields. 58: Jumping the Que We propose dedicated pogo stick lanes on routes to centres of work 76: Traffic As you may be aware, there have been recent measures to reduce congestion in London with proposals for other major cities to follow suit. It is proposed that all car owners in the affected areas (London and soon Birmingham, Manchester, etc,) be forced to replace their cars with hovercrafts for the following reasons: 1. Hovercrafts can go on all terrain, meaning they can spread out, take short cuts and go on water etc. 2. As they are inflatable, being hit by one will be less painful. 3. They could use the canal system, thus creating extra jobs and revitalizing a sadly neglected part of our Heritage. 3. Electric eels like hovercrafts because of their association with the see, therefore, electric eels should be persuaded to jump start any hovercraft where the battery is dead. |
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New Mon 22 Mar 10 12:46
Election 2010 for the motorist - tyro
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"In the interests of fairness, it struck me that tyro has failed to represent the views of all the major parties of this country." I'm working on it! Though it might have taken time before I got to the MRLP. :-) And now far a party which takes the motorist seriously. Very seriously. And which has, accordingly, worked out detailed policies, and is prepared to spell them out - more than can be said for most parties. (I've not bothered italicising this time.) The Green Party Park and Ride TR280 The Green Party does not support the introduction of Park and Ride services generally, as they tend to enhance the culture of driving in rural areas to nearby towns and can be detrimental to other rural bus services. TR281 Whilst adhering to the above principle, the Green Party recognises that in the short term there may be some locations where Park and Ride may be one of the most effective ways of reducing immediately the numbers driving within urban or scenic areas as long as two factors apply: 1. That a charge is levied for users which is used to provide for more sustainable modes of transport. 2. Measures (including subsidies) are included to provide for bus priority which gives priority to other bus services that may otherwise be affected by the Park and Ride. TR282 The Green Party does not support the building of Park and Ride sites on greenfield land. We will support Park and Tour systems for tourists provided that this is properly integrated into the existing public transport infrastructure for that place. Personal motorised transport Car culture TR300 Cars are currently seen as the primary means of transport by many people. The Green Party would work at all levels to alter this perception, by providing information on the problems and real costs of their use, and by improving the perception of all more sustainable methods of transport. TR301 Car driving is not a right but a privilege. The Highway Code as it applies to driving will be made more comprehensive, especially in its recognition of the affect of driving on more vulnerable road users. The testing of drivers will also be made more comprehensive and stricter to include hazard awareness and environmental aspects and knowledge of working of vehicles. Driving tests would be done at regular intervals (e.g. 5 years) to ensure that drivers remain competent. TR302 Experience shows clearly that the performance of drivers is degraded by alcohol and some other drugs. Traffic incidents (accidents and intimidation of others) are therefore more likely, even at the levels of alcohol that are currently permitted in the bloodstream. The Green Party will reduce the permitted level of alcohol to as close to zero, allowing for natural levels. TR303 Speed limits and regulations which are not implemented are ineffective. All speed limits would be rigorously enforced, as would any other regulations relating to drivers of vehicles (including public transport). Greater use will be made of automatic cameras and other speed measurement. TR304 Penalties will focus more on limiting the convicted driver's ability to drive, as well as fines and imprisonment. Procedures for prosecuting such offences will be dealt with as soon as possible, and it will be made easier for a driver not to contest the charge but to accept licence penalties. This will enable more prosecutions, increasing the overall effect of prosecuting. TR305 Vehicle insurance policies will be registered along with the rest of the vehicle details when the vehicle is licensed. The compulsory third party element of vehicle insurance shall be required to cover civil liabilities arising from accidents. There will be a considerable increase in the penalties for damage, injury and death caused by traffic accidents. Driving without a valid licence or insurance will be penalised with immediate confiscation of the vehicle. TR306 Car parking is not a right that any driver has on the road. Restrictions on parking on roads will be expected to increase to make more efficient use of road space and to improve safety. The aim of parking policy will be to transfer the expectation that drivers have that they can park anywhere to one where parking will only be allowed in appropriate places that are duly marked. These would specifically exclude pavement parking that can obstruct pedestrians and any parking on green spaces adjacent to roads. Disabled parking would be retained and provided wherever necessary. TR307 As a use of valuable road space, car parking will become subject more generally to charging. The Green Party supports the widespread introduction of neighbourhood parking schemes (controlled parking zones) that entail residents being charged for on-street parking, and would set guidelines to both reduce on-street parking where it endangers pedestrians and cyclists and to ensure that off-street parking does not degrade a street's environment. In non-residential sections of urban areas, on-street parking should be subject to metering. TR308 The culture of company car provision and use will be challenged in all ways possible, including financial measures, to achieve a transfer of workplace travel to more sustainable modes. TR309 The construction of vehicles is at present regulated at a European level, where there is heavy lobbying by motor manufacturers. The Green Party will aim to bring this regulation down to more appropriate levels, and aim for regulations and enforcement that reduce the ability of vehicles to cause harm to others. TR310 Vehicles would not be permitted for road use that had the ability to travel at greater speeds than the majority of EU national maximum speed levels. TR311 The Green Party would reduce the need for people to feel that they need to own their own car. We recognise that while cars may always have a role to play in transport, individual ownership tends to increase usage and create reliance. Where cars are seen as necessary for some travel, we would promote the development of car clubs (the shared use of cars by local residents), where this will effectively reduce the number of car journeys that may otherwise be made or the number of cars parked in the locality, to promote the sharing of cars and journeys. TR312 Transport advertisements would be regulated, with those that glamorise aspects such as excessive speed being banned. The placing of adverts where they might lead to danger on the road would not be permitted. TR313 SUVs (Sports Utility Vehicles) consume more fuel, create more pollution and are more hazardous to other road users than ordinary cars. They are quite unnecessary, especially in urban areas, and their purchase and use should be discouraged. They would be subject to extra taxes and charges beyond those in TR060-070 and advertisements for them would need to include information about their adverse effects on society. TR314 The Green Party would introduce no new restrictions on the use of historic vehicles and would impose safety and pollution standards appropriate to the age of the vehicle. Motorcycles TR320 Smaller, low powered motorcycles are generally preferable to cars (especially those with a single occupant) as they take up less road space and are more economic consumers of fuel. However, the Green Party does not wish to see increased use of motorcycles because they emit pollution and noise and can endanger road users. The aim is to encourage much less use of high powered machines and for low powered machines to offer an alternative for those who currently use these or cars and could not transfer to more sustainable modes. TR321 The Green Party would take measures to encourage a transfer of motor cycle manufacture and use from larger, powerful machines to less powerful ones including scooters and mopeds. These would include setting and enforcing strict noise limits and, for higher powered machines, speed limiters. TR322 For the safety of other users, the Green Party does not feel it appropriate for motorcyclists to be able to use any priority measures put in for pedestrians and cyclists, including those shared with public transport. |
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New Mon 22 Mar 10 12:55
Election 2010 for the motorist - tyro
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The British National Party Congestion of our towns and cities must be eased by the provision of greater incentives to use rail and bus transport instead of private cars. The first step is to end the crime and squalor that puts so many people off public transport. Motorists must not be made the scapegoats for government failure. Fuel tax should be cut, motorway speed limits raised, and hidden speed cameras should be banned. Far more must be done to encourage the development and use of cleaner fuels. And, from the 2007 mini-manifesto: - Stop the persecution of motorists by, for instance, reducing the number of speed cameras. - Abolish the road fund licence and the hidden tax known as the ‘congestion charge’ Our transport infrastructure is grinding to a halt. Reducing the population will help reduce road congestion, but we also need a modern rail network that attracts passengers by providing high-speed travel (over 300 mph), and we need to reduce the misery of those living near noisy and ever-expanding airports. |
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New Mon 22 Mar 10 13:01
Election 2010 for the motorist - Stuu
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| A few good ideas across the parties. Dont think I could bring myself to 'go Green' though, eek. |
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New Mon 22 Mar 10 13:05
Election 2010 for the motorist - R.P.
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| or BNP. |
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New Mon 22 Mar 10 13:11
Election 2010 for the motorist - tyro
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"or BNP." I won't be voting BNP either, though not because I have any problems with its transport policy - apart from the sinister reference to "reducing the population". |
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New Mon 22 Mar 10 15:16
Election 2010 for the motorist - Focusless
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>> I won't be voting BNP either though not because I have any problems with its >> transport policy - apart from the sinister reference to "reducing the population". Their 300+mph trains sound interesting - could be a tad expensive though. |
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New Mon 22 Mar 10 13:09
Election 2010 for the motorist - Alanovich
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I am actually blown away by the Green Party's policies. They are astonishingly good. Although the bit about EU national speed limits has a serious, obvious flaw so long as Germany remains how it is. There you have it. I love cars and I love driving, and I see nothing in there to frighten me. |
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New Mon 22 Mar 10 14:43
Election 2010 for the motorist - ....
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>> I am actually blown away by the Green Party's policies. They are astonishingly good. >> >> Although the bit about EU national speed limits has a serious obvious flaw so long >> as Germany remains how it is. >> What is the problem with Germany ? They have an advised maximum of 130kph like most other countries. The difference is you have a choice to exceed this where safe to do so and not be dictated to. You are encouraged to make decisions for yourself. |
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New Mon 22 Mar 10 14:45
Election 2010 for the motorist - Alanovich
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| I wasn't inferring a problem with Germany, rather a problem with the Green Party's policy caused by the German law. |
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New Mon 22 Mar 10 15:01
Election 2010 for the motorist - ....
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Sorry, problem was the wrong word to use my point was France and Germany have the same limit, the difference being France choose to enforce it UK style whereas the Germans just say get on with it and take the consequences. An 80mph limit with zero tollerance could be implemented in the UK with no difference to actual motorway speed due to 10%+2 tollerance. Last edited by: gmac on Mon 22 Mar 10 at 15:02
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New Mon 22 Mar 10 13:06
Election 2010 for the motorist - tyro
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UKIP From the 2010 manifesto: - Invest in an enhanced and safer road net-work, building new bypasses and widening major roads - Offer a ‘Windfall Return’ on fuel duty above a set world dollar oil price. When this level is reached, government receipts from oil duties will be returned to motorists as fuel tax cuts - Be fair to motorists by subjecting parking charges and revenue-raising devices, including speed cameras, to greater democratic control - Repeal EU-generated road directives that impose unnecessary and expensive burdens, such as the new Road Transport Directive - Introduce a ‘Britdisc’ which foreign lorries will have to pay for using major British roads. Currently, many of these lorries pay nothing for the wear and tear they cause - Veto EU attempts to force the UK into accepting EU lorries that are a third longer and a third heavier than currently allowed - up to an unacceptable 60 tonnes - Invest in better rail and road links to ports - Oppose a sixth Heathrow Airport terminal and third runway and the expansion of Gatwick and Stansted in favour of a major new Hong Kong-style Thames Estuary airport with motorway connections and a high-speed rail service to London, the UK and the Continent From the 2010 transport policy document, section on roads: * Use funds released from leaving the EU on select new bypasses, road improvements, safety and widening schemes * Introduce a 'Britdisc' (vignette) on foreign lorries not paying anything for British roads, and crack down on 'killer lorries' (overladen or dangerous) * Give back a ‘Windfall Return’ on fuel duty above a set world oil price, where windfall Government receipts are returned to the motorist over time through fuel tax cuts * Oppose EU proposals for raising the Gross Laden Weight ( GLW ) for lorries to 60 Tonnes and oppose Longer Heavier Vehicles (LHVs) of unwieldy 25 metres. We will encourage a long term programme of shifting freight to rail for longer distances, as the majority of the British public (86%) want * Repeal EU directives such as The Working Time Directive and the new Road Transport Directive, Daylight Running Directive and Control of Noise and Vibration Regulation * Oppose EU’s Galileo satellite 'spy in the sky' technology programme for road pricing * Require new insurance discs to also be displayed on windscreens to tackle over 1 million uninsured drivers * End the 'highway robbery' of unfair fines on motorists by returning to first principles on car parking ( to keep traffic moving not be a tax generator ) and make speed cameras democratically accountable, and remove them where they serve no use. * Remove the £15 surcharge on motorists for minor offences such as not wearing seatbelts for compensation to victims of crime as a nonsense * Support electric vehicles and the battery charging infrastructure they need * Consult on raising the motorway speed limit to 80mph to suit modern reality * Legislate to introduce a crime of Vehicular Manslaughter, where for those whose excessively dangerous driving makes death on the road a near certainty * Use US-style traffic schools for the education of bad drivers * Oppose the metrification of British roads and speed limits * Introduce a simple form of 'bus franchising', particularly for local and rural buses, to deliver better value for the taxpayer and eliminate unfair competitive practices * Allow councils to offer discount public transport cards (rail/bus) if they wish to * Invest in tram/Light Rail schemes where they have strong local support * Seek to improve the quality of taxi services but without excessive regulation * Support measures to improve motorcycle safety whilst supporting its freedoms. We will oppose EU proposals for daytime lights for all vehicles as dangerous * Support responsible pedal cycling but have zero tolerance on dangerous practices such as running red lights. We will consult on proposals for cyclists to display a cheap 'Cycledisc' to deter theft and give 3rd party insurance for car damage. Last edited by: tyro on Mon 22 Mar 10 at 13:08
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New Mon 22 Mar 10 14:05
Election 2010 for the motorist - Crankcase
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Many thanks to Tyro for putting all this together. It's a useful resource pre-election. Now if I were running a car forum, I'd be amalgamating this thread without the comments and pinning it up as sticky until after May 6th. I'm not, of course. |
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New Mon 22 Mar 10 14:09
Election 2010 for the motorist - Stuu
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>>Now if I were running a car forum, I'd be amalgamating this thread without the comments and pinning it up as sticky until after May 6th.<< Excellent idea. |
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New Mon 22 Mar 10 14:07
Election 2010 for the motorist - Telb
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Don't forget the English Democrats! Transport Only the state can bring together the resources and long-term strategic planning that is necessary for the creation of an integrated transport infrastructure. Transport policy should give proper weight to economic, environmental and public service considerations. All of these issues need to be taken into account when planning and building a cheap, efficient and safe integrated transport system. There should be greater local involvement in transport planning and a more equal distribution of resources throughout England. Greater use should be made of light railways, trams, cycle-ways and pedestrian friendly areas. The motorist has become an easy target for prosecution and fund-raising. The imposition of speed cameras has become a revenue raising exercise. Prosecuting motorists does not count as fighting crime. Motorists already pay, via fuel tax and road fund licences, far more than is needed to maintain and improve the road network. Too much emphasis is placed upon road tolls, bridge tolls, speeding fines, congestion charges as well as parking fines and penalties. Speed cameras should only be used as a last resort and only for safety reasons. Proposed improvements to the transport network have been shelved by the government citing costs, and yet Scotland continues to benefit from like schemes. There should be a review of all transport projects abandoned by the government to ensure that England is treated fairly. It is unfair that foreign vehicles should have free access to our road network. A toll should be introduced on all vehicles entering this country to ensure that they pay the full cost of the wear and tear on our road system which they cause. Terry |
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New Mon 22 Mar 10 14:15
Election 2010 for the motorist - Armel Coussine
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Any party with the chance of a lot of seats will be covering its bottom for any future changes. Basically politicians have to be ready to hate the automobile, or pretend to hate it, for three basic reasons. In descending order of importance, these are: It is a cash cow in every way you can think of for everyone except the owner and user. It is hated by bien-pensant twozzers who can't drive and live in towns. It is falsely blamed for what may be the wholly imaginary 'global warming/climate change' phenomenon. Whatever any party says about road transport is unlikely to be true even if it makes sense, which is also unlikely. Politicians can't be trusted on matters of this sort. |
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New Mon 22 Mar 10 14:33
Election 2010 for the motorist - tyro
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I hadn't forgotten the English Democrats, Terry! I'm hoping to post statements from other parties in due course. Whatever any party says about road transport is unlikely to be true Quite possibly, Armel Coussine. But more to the point, they will enact policies that they never put in their manifestos. The car scrappage scheme - to which I remain strongly opposed - is a case in point. There is an interesting discussion of the whole question of politicians and the motorist here: tinyurl.com/yf3xpal (See, in particular, the post at Mon 27 Sep 2004 09:10 ) |
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New Mon 22 Mar 10 15:35
Election 2010 for the motorist - Old Navy
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| Does anyone actually believe a word a politician says or puts in a manifesto? |
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New Mon 22 Mar 10 15:41
Election 2010 for the motorist - ....
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What tyro has extracted from the Labour party website is short enough to make you think they've run out of ideas. I read somewhere, could have been another thread here, where one of the Labour peers said the election pledges were not legally binding. In that case what have the electorate got from which they can make an informed decision come election time ? Note: There is not a pro Conservative antiLabour posting, I dislike all MPs equally. |
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New Mon 22 Mar 10 15:52
Election 2010 for the motorist - tyro
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What tyro has extracted from the Labour party website is short enough to make you think they've run out of ideas. I think they are just keeping their powder dry. They have not yet released their manifesto.* It is, however, interesting that the big two have much less to say than most of the smaller parties. Smaller parties want to get their policies across. Big parties know that it's not your policies that count - it's your image. Hence all the money they spend on PR. *Either that, or their website is too difficult for me! |
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New Mon 22 Mar 10 15:47
Election 2010 for the motorist - tyro
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Does anyone actually believe a word a politician says or puts in a manifesto? I certainly do. And not just one word. I believe two or three. :-) |
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New Mon 22 Mar 10 15:58
Election 2010 for the motorist - tyro
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And on the subject of the manifestos, I found ploughing through them to be downright scary. Some of these people are dangerous nutters. And I'm not just talking about the tiny parties. |
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New Mon 22 Mar 10 15:45
Election 2010 for the motorist - tyro
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I've had a trawl through the web sites of minor parties. Some didn't seem to have any transport policies, or at least none that affected motorists. Here is a selection: Respect Public transport must be a cheaper option to car use if it is to provide a real alternative. We want to see freight taken off the roads and returned to rail where it’s transportation would be safer and cleaner. We need a pollution-free alternative to car transport, yet walking and cycling routes remain marginal to transport policy. Urban planning should be based on the needs of people not just on traffic considerations. Remarkably, 80 percent of all car journeys are less than three miles. We need to see school transport provision extended to cut the use of cars on the school run, with safe walking and cycling routes to school. Congestion charging has a role to play providing it reflects the ability to pay and is linked to viable public transport alternatives. RESPECT CALLS FOR: - Investment in a cheap and integrated transport system to reduce the need to use cars, making the current road building programme unnecessary. - New road building only with the agreement of the communities affected. - A full programme of cycle routes in our towns and cities. - Higher taxes on company cars and on company parking spaces. Socialist Labour Experts now acknowledge the detrimental effects of the car and heavy duty lorries on our environment, our roads, our villages, our countryside. Only Socialist policies for an integrated public transport system can tackle the problem. The Liberal Party Road vehicles and traffic jams are not a 20th century phenomenon; they have been with us for hundreds of years and Liberals recognise the freedom of movement and flexibility that a private road vehicle offers. However, the number of vehicles continues to increase with Government figures forecasting an increase in road traffic of up to 142% by 2025. Liberals recognise the impact this continues to have on the environment, on the amount of energy consumed, on atmospheric pollution, and on the quality of life, apart from the economic cost of delay caused by traffic congestion. Liberals are also concerned by the increasing speed/acceleration disparity between motor vehicles and other road users such as cyclists and pedestrians. Liberals do not believe that it is possible, or desirable, to undertake more major road building. We are particularly concerned at the effects such a policy would have on by the availability of road building materials, much of which would have to be imported as to the nation's own supplies were be exhausted. Liberals believe that if comfortable, secure, reliable and competitively priced alternatives exist, people will readily leave their cars at home. However, such alternative transport networks must already be in place before an attempt is made to restrict motor vehicle use. Liberals envisage: 1. halting all new trunk road building and diverting funds to public transport. Work on the elimination of accident black spots and improvement of existing road infrastructure would not be affected; 2. limiting the environmental impact of motor vehicles by manipulating traffic regulation and excises and taxes so as to penalise large, powerful vehicles. Large lorries should be restricted to a designated network of “juggernaut alleys”, such as motorways, trunk roads, and parkways linked to “break bulk” depots, where freight would be transhipped for onward dispersal in smaller vehicles. Heavy lorries should be prohibited access to cities, towns, villages and residential areas; 3. the introduction of tax and access concessions on small vehicles built to certain standards and dimensions. Specifications for an ‘Eco Car’ should be drawn up and reviewed every three years to take account of advances in technology. Concessions should be funded by increased taxation on all other vehicles that fell outside the specification, so that over a period of years people are given a clear incentive to buy and run small economical cars and to dispose of large vehicles. Eventually such a ‘small vehicle’ policy would ease traffic congestion and the shortage of parking spaces; 4. substantial premiums over and above the rate of inflation on vehicle fuels and the increasing subsidisation of a properly regulated and integrated public transport system; 5. speed limits regulated according to traffic conditions, including a new road designation introduced for residential roads with a speed limit of, say, 8mph. Residents should be able to petition the local authority for such a designation and it only be refused if: 1. the road already serves a necessary distribution function; 2. no part of the 8mph zone is more than 100m from a 30mph road; 6. new road classifications to include locally determined speed restrictions; 7. the creation of car-free residential areas. Additionally, Liberals believe that, if widespread gridlock on our roads is to be avoided in the future, some sort of rationing of vehicle use and even vehicle ownership is inevitable. Accordingly, we would draw up proposals for road transport rationing, with a view to implementation of such a scheme, once a properly funded and integrated public transport system has been introduced. Liberals recognise the number of road accidents attributable to alcohol, and call for the imposition of lower limits of blood alcohol for disqualification. Libertarian Party - We will end the indirect subsidy of road freight. This may require retention of a form of distance-based road pricing for HGVs, which in 38-tonne form, do 10,000 times more damage to roads than a 1 tonne car. - It is expected that the move towards locally elected Police Chiefs shall result in the removal of the majority of speed cameras and the return to intelligent use of Traffic Police, without the need for compulsion from central government. - Repeal specific legislation about phone use, smoking and so on, and rely on historic laws in regard to vehicle control. Killing as a result of driving a vehicle while incapacitated—for whatever reason—should be manslaughter, and treated accordingly. - Repeal nanny-state legislation such as compulsory seatbelt and crash helmet use. Motorists and riders should have the right to make their own choices on their use of safety equipment; insurance companies should have the right to charge additional premiums (or decline cover) to those who do. - Undertake a review of existing, proposed and potential road charging schemes. In principle, we are against charging for non-freight vehicles. - We will introduce a combined MOT—insurance certificate to tidy up the de-facto linkage that currently exists. Christian People's Alliance Traffic movements around cities will be made faster by investing in orbital coach systems, served by a necklace of transfer points at radial roads and motorways. This will create an efficient alternative to the car. We will reduce transport demand and congestion by making walking and cycling real choices. Congestion charging and road pricing will be used to manage peak car movements, in return for new investment in public transport. (note that the CPA issued a detailed report in 2000 on transport policy for London: tinyurl.com/yfspl2f ) Christian Party (who co-operated with the CPA in last year's European Parliament elections, but who are quite distinct). - Raise the motorway speed limit to 90mph. - Enact a speeding fines amnesty in cases where fines were more a matter of revenue collection than road safety. - Limit fines for overstaying in car parks to a maximum of the cost of the day rate for parking in the facility. |
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