Congestion Charge Hits Petrol Cars

[andy_k]

As far as this new charging goes, I forget the dates but in the future, old highly polluting vans and lorries are to be charged £100 a day, and this zone will extend out to the inside of the M25!

That's good news

 

[graeme73s]

No, thats the wrong sews, the answer lies in the soil.

Malcolm

By that I guess you mean that in the soil would be the best place to put dear old Ken

 

[Brett]

Where's London?

 

[Parrot of Doom]

How does a 'gas guzzler' create more congestion than any other car?

Someone get that fool out of office please.

 

[andy_k]

How does a 'gas guzzler' create more congestion than any other car?

it doesn't but it wastes more fuel, creates more pollutionand generally stuffs up other peoples lives ,more than a small car does.

Someone get that fool out of office please.

Of course, anybody living in London where they are directly affected by his policies is more than free to make sure he is kicked out of office by not voting for him. These are the people who have voted him in since the year 2000, presumably because they realise that he is actually doing some good.

Sadly though, people living outside the borough who usually only have a little less than half of the story can only sit there throwing stones

Andy

 

[BTB 500]

Drive in London alot, con charge works well, Has certainly had the desired effect.

I've worked on the Strand for 10 years, my perception is that the con charge hasn't had any significant effect on traffic levels there. When I walk to and from Charing X station every day I'm usually going faster than the traffic

Most of the cars I see queueing in rush hour are large, expensive, and new-ish. The drivers would probably pay the higher rate without batting an eyelid, as far as I can see it's mostly a revenue generation scheme.

Are there any published figures confirming lower levels of pollution and improved traffic speeds (although of course there were allegations that the latter were sabotaged pre-charge by rigging the traffic light timings)?

 

[glojo]

I don't visit London, have no idea how these charges work, so where do the government ministerial cars fit into this charging?

Whilst I'm at it how do they justify a convoy of gas guzzlers going the very short distance from Downing Street to the Palace of Westminster (House of Commons) There is a secure walkway that can be used, plus they could practise what they are preaching. Use environmentally friendly cars. The few examples they do have are used very infrequently by the most junior of minions and then it is generally a staged publicity stunt.

As Andy says, we get the government we deserve. The country or London voted, they and we are now paying the price of being part of a democracy.

John

 

[IanA2]

:bannana: :bannana: Percy Thrower!!:bannana: :bannana:

Thought you'd just throw that in did you.....

 

[Alfie]

I don't visit London, have no idea how these charges work, so where do the government ministerial cars fit into this charging?

Whilst I'm at it how do they justify a convoy of gas guzzlers going the very short distance from Downing Street to the Palace of Westminster (House of Commons) There is a secure walkway that can be used, plus they could practise what they are preaching. Use environmentally friendly cars. The few examples they do have are used very infrequently by the most junior of minions and then it is generally a staged publicity stunt.

As Andy says, we get the government we deserve. The country or London voted, they and we are now paying the price of being part of a democracy.

John

All government ministers except the very few at the top (2 jags and bozo blair) are forced to use the awful of awful hybrid... The Prius. They also get to park on double yellow lines with impunity!

I'd rather drive a proper car and pay the charge myself!

As John says, those who voted for these people are paying the price as we all are, thanks.

 

[hawk20]

I don't visit London, have no idea how these charges work, so where do the government ministerial cars fit into this charging?

Whilst I'm at it how do they justify a convoy of gas guzzlers going the very short distance from Downing Street to the Palace of Westminster (House of Commons) There is a secure walkway that can be used, plus they could practise what they are preaching. Use environmentally friendly cars. The few examples they do have are used very infrequently by the most junior of minions and then it is generally a staged publicity stunt.

As Andy says, we get the government we deserve. The country or London voted, they and we are now paying the price of being part of a democracy.

John

Just to keep the record straight, there is no secure walkway from Downing Street to the Commons.

 

[glojo]

Where's London?

Brilliant

As far as I was aware there were:

Eight ministers in the Labour government have so far taken delivery of the £17,000, five-door hatchbacks since the Government Car Service began offering them as an alternative to traditional marques.

There are approximately 120 Labour MP's that qualify as being called a Minister and of course get all the perks, pay, expenses etc of that office.

Eight hybrids in a pool of countless gas guzzlers do not make much of an impact. Hands up all those that have seen a high profile minister in one of these vehicles?

In fairness to the high risk ministers they should be in vehicles that are capable of bearing the weight of these overfed, over paid ego-testicle dictators (Fruedian slip ) but surely a diesel powered Range Rover is more economical than its 10mpg petrol counterpart (armour plated and carrying numerous 'electronic gadgets')

Just to keep the record straight, there is no secure walkway from Downing Street to the Commons.

Not going down that route and yes I have been in most private areas of the Palace

Merry Christmas everyone
John

 

[Robbo]

Not going down that route

Was the pun intentional

 

[hawk20]

Hybrids are not really environmentally friendly -just good PR. A US magazine drove an ML diesel and a Lexus Hybrid 4x4 from LA to New York. The ML used less fuel!

Serious studies looking at all the energy involved in developing and producing hybrids has shown they are far from being the bees knees.

The secure walkway is from Westminster tube to the Commons but not from Downing Street.

 

[BTB 500]

Yup it's a joke that as a hybrid the Lexus 400H is exempt from the con charge. Ken has apparently spotted this slight anomaly though, which may upset some owners (aaaah ... )

http://www.motorinsurance.co.uk/news/1449.html

 

[glojo]

Hybrids are not really environmentally friendly -just good PR. A US magazine drove an ML diesel and a Lexus Hybrid 4x4 from LA to New York. The ML used less fuel!

Serious studies looking at all the energy involved in developing and producing hybrids has shown they are far from being the bees knees.

The secure walkway is from Westminster tube to the Commons but not from Downing Street.

Hi Hawk,
Your correct in both statements.

The hybrid comparison showed that not only was the ML more economical, it was a more comfortable vehicle. The drivers of the Lexus were not in any rush to make the return journey, but drivers of the ML stated how comfortable the vehicle was and they would readily make the return trip. As far as I am aware though the diesel fuel they used was imported from Europe, as was definitely the diesel fuel for all the World records acheived by the E320CDI.

The secure walkway
Please note I am NOT suggesting a secret underground tunnel linking the Prime Minister's residence to the Palace complex and that is all I am saying. Hopefully I have chosen my words carefully.

My previous post is correct.

seasonal greetings,
John

 

[SimonsMerc]

Discussion of this topic in an open forum is enough to get security clearance revoked (or add the need for developed vetting). I suggest the discussion ends now.

-simon

 

[Dieselman]

Discussion of this topic in an open forum is enough to get security clearance revoked (or add the need for developed vetting). I suggest the discussion ends now.

-simon

Surely the security services aren't that bothered that we are discussing the merits of the congestion charge. Are they??

 

[lil.smartie]

You all just need cdi Smart fortwos, free from road tax (sorry road fund licence!) and soon to be free from congestion charge too! And they come with 2 seats so 1 spare for most london commuters too!

Kate

 

[janner]

http://www.motorinsurance.co.uk/news/1449.html

From that link..."Green Party member of the London Authority Jenny Jones told the Times.
"Its size means it causes more congestion and it also poses a danger to pedestrians and cyclists because of the high, unforgiving bonnet."

The Lexus is 2" longer and 2" wider than a Mondeo saloon. It hasn't been tested by NCAP yet but there's no evidence that it poses a danger to pedestrians. If anything the larger frontal area makes it easier to see and spreads the load more if it hits you.

A US magazine drove an ML diesel and a Lexus Hybrid 4x4 from LA to New York. The ML used less fuel!

That's because on a long run the hybrid is running soley on petrol. Around town it's mostly electric which is why it's exempt from the charge.

I'm not defending the Lexus because I like it (I don't).
I just hate it when tree huggers start talking ********.

 

[Parrot of Doom]

it doesn't but it wastes more fuel, creates more pollutionand generally stuffs up other peoples lives ,more than a small car does.

Waste? I disagree. I also disagree that it stuffs anybody's life up, excepting of course the type of person who gets their knickers in a twist over 4x4.

What started as a congestion charge is now becoming a pollution charge. Soon it'll be a lifestyle tax. The man is a fool, he can't even drive.