Fuel Blockades

M.ister W

I think you're spot on, JB, but it's going to require a complete culture change.

UltraCas

The big problem is that we pay a lot of money in fuel and road tax but only a very small proportion is ploughed back into maintaining and improving roads or funding public transport alternative to cars.

UltraCas

When I changed jobs I negotiated working from home three days a week, so my net travelling was no different from driving to the office five days a week in my old job. If more people were given the freedom to do the same, then there would be less cars on the road but the UK seems to live in a culture where is you are not 'seen' in the office working then you must be skiving.

[Deleted User]

I imagine the protests will fail as the press won't back them. it's the wrong time of year. last time it was in the summer when parliament was in recess.

The spin will be 'look at all these rich haulage companies ruining christmas for everyone, all the kids won't get presents as no-one can get to the shops.'

UltraCas

Google fuel protests under news - it has been reported. Maybe not on the front page but it's there.

Johnny Blaze

I look forward to the return of the Penny Farthing Bicycle and the handlebar mustache.

[Deleted User]

Proper safe cycleways linking with other routes (trains/trams - we cant take bikes on the tram !) safe storage and changing facilities encouraging people to cycle more -maybe even a lot more urban bike hire places

Safe pedestrian routes - maybe marked route walkways to give people an on foot option - again linked to public transport and park and walk or walk and ride schemes

Good for the environment, great for Public Health and maybe better for individual pockets

oxymoron

its still never really going to beat sitting on your arse in a climate controlled car whilst listening to radio four and chatting on the phone though is it?

[Deleted User]

cas - not everyone is an office worker.

[Deleted User]

I dunno - if its sitting on your arse in a jam for 3 hours twice a day?

Johnny Blaze

Good point well made.

Cars are dang sexy ain't they?

Johnny Blaze

x post there somewhere.

[Deleted User]

Dont talk to me about fcuking cars

Johnny Blaze

Somone should plot income against carbon footprint - might make interesting reading.

UltraCas

No - I know they're not but a lot are and the culture in this country seems to discourage flexible working for people who do carry out desk based jobs. Alot of my job involves flying all over the place but when I can just sit at a desk, I try to do it by walking across the hall rather than driving 80 miles.

Maddy.

I love fuel protests - 50% les traffic on the roads last time - bliss for cycle commuting

oxymoron

if i had to face a 6 hour daily commute i'd move or get a new job

[Deleted User]

starting with the Beck-Hams?

[Deleted User]

do you think people travel further to  jobs because they have to or because they can?

[Deleted User]

I want my 15 min walk to work back but the managers wont move me back (NHS)

oxymoron

well, unemployment is very low, so i reckon the latter

Corinthian

Because they have to in most cases Buney- at least in the short term. 

UltraCas

After commuting 140 miles a day for my first job I did move and then (when in the office) had a 5 min walk to work. But changed jobs again and found digs until I could move as I couldn't face the long distance commute again. This time I won't move for the job - partly because I have moved four times in 10 years and this time we're settled and also because I would not want to live where I work and my OH works locally to where we are now.

I think people end up commuting because they can't always afford to move and uproot their families. I think the cost of housing has had a big influence on the distance people are prepared to travel to work.

Johnny Blaze

Its all the fault of us rich folks

Corinthian

I work in the centre of a large city - I don't want to live in a city centre so I commute.  When they build a university next to my house in the country I'll stop commuting.

UltraCas

lol Corinthian!

UltraCas

Right I'm off to bed so I can get up nice and early and search for fuel to expand my carbon footprint.

Johnny Blaze

I would not like to uproot my family to live near work.

Plus its Nottingham and I don't want to live there - done the city thing. 

So work from home couple of days a week.

But I'm afraid my footprint is as big as a whale as I do a lot of plane travel.

We are all guilty.

[Deleted User]

Here in Plymouth an oil tanker thing was held up because of bad weather, and 2 of our works vans had to come off the road as so many petrol stations had run out of diesel.

During the last fuel blockade, I saw loads of people park their car (on double yellows ) outside our local newsagents, leave the engine running, then nip in to buy their paper .

Neither me nor Mr K drive, I walk the 10 minutes to work, he either cycles or catches the bus if its cold/icy/raining.

Duck Girl

My trip to Wales on the train is off-peak, booked weeks in advance, & the cheapest ticket for 2 days + railcard, so it is cheap as they get.

Corinth, you should come to my university. It has cows in the field next to it, & lots of places to go running through fields away from people