Satanic curses

[Martin Cassini]

My main beef with the London congestion charge is that it was imposed before deregulation was even tried, so in my view it is grossly premature. Operationally it's odious too, but that's another matter. Cambridge is plagued by measures which obstruct flow, e.g. a bollard for non-existent pedestrians which turns two lanes into one and causes a permanent mile-long tailback (Coldham's Lane). When I challenged a councillor about this and other examples where simple improvements could ease congestion, he admitted openly that it was deliberate policy -- to force people out of their cars. Since when were transport planners licensed to enter the field of social engineering? Despite simple, life-enhancing solutions, Cambridge is considering a congestion charge – more high-cost, unproductive bureaucracy to tax and vex the people. Until there is an alternative to personal transport that is equally convenient in all circumstances, road capacity and freedom of choice should be maximised, not rationed. Why is Cambridge still angling for a charge, despite Manchester's rejection? One reason is because government is making money for public transport dependent upon the introduction of a charge. Satanic scandal.