Road charging

[rov1200]

Now that the Galileo satelite is close to operational use is the government still intent on charging motorists by the mile or are they witholding the idea until after the general election?

http://news.bbc.co.uk.../sci/tech/8351457.stm

[Panic Button]

Wasn't the idea dropped after a couple of million 'signatures' on the internet petition to No.10?

[TWR]

Hi, I for one signed that petition, I also contacted the Local Highways ( Lancs) regarding the state of the roads, the area in particular was renewed due to my complaint, I contacted Network rail due to one of their crossings that in-turn cracked a spring on my car, I won, I am not one of these people that think CLAIM CLAIM CLAIM, but are one of these that pay enough road tax to expect a decent bloody road surface not a road that looks like a quarrie, why should we all pay the extortionate price for road surfaces that are crp, now that winter is coming, not gritted! are we right to complain? I will let you people answer that.

[Panic Button]

I honestly believ that with the complexity of the system needed, and with so many techie criminals around, such a system couldn't be made to work.

[New Judge]

You're probably right, PB.

However, this government (and probably the next one as well) will spend about £10bn of taxpayers' hard-earned on consultation and feasability studies before coming to the same conclusuion.

[rov1200]

We know this governments propensity to hide bad news from the public when it suits them. This is obviously a vote loser and the fact that a petition was raised and supported does not mean they will not go ahead with it. If it does come about the most likely time is in the period of a new government. I cannot see the Tories ducking it either as road tolls are up their street so to speak.

As TWR says the potholes in our roads are disgraceful and I have found a few. Maybe our road taxes are helping the bankers or put towards the war in Afghanistan.

Maybe the leaders when they have their conflab should be asked on their position and whether it is a goer or not. We would like to know.

[denis567]

Not just the potholes, what about the speed humps??

[TWR]

I will just leave you with some advice regards potholes etc, first of all take a time dated camera with you, if you have the evidence for a claim use it, I complained about a crossing in our home town, they would & still have not repaired it but now I am not bothered "WHY" I said to them if any damage was done to my car I would sue the, this I did after 2months I got paid out for a broken front coil suspension spring, ( & before anyone Say's it) the 2 where replaced, it does not matter how big the company, if you have given the the evidence about the offending holes etc to the persons concerned, In my case it was Network Rail.

[rov1200]

At least the speed humps give you more time than the potholes although I agree most of them are a menace and badly designed. I can never understand why its necessary to stop traffic with a purpose to slow it down like you get at some artificial pinch points. The ideal situation would be a constant slow speed in restricted areas for everyone. Maybe one day average speed limits could be more refined in built up areas.

[denis567]

I couldn't agree more, but in our area (and probably most others) the council don't bother repainting the warning marks on the speed humps, so especially in the dark, they can quite easily catch you out, even if you are within the speed limit.
I would also agree about the artificial pinch points, they seem to be pointless in stopping one stream of traffic to let the oncoming vehicles through.

[Panic Button]

They could reduce congestion, reduce pollution, improve fuel consumption and reduce accidents on the M25 now.

How?

Remove the tolls on the Dartford Crosing.

[jake-the-peg]

Your definition of close to operational use is a peculiar one.

These are test systems - Full operational use is currently estimated at 2013

http://www.europarl.e...ence=20080414BKG26528

It's not a matter of witholding - it's just a long way off - this is likely to be a question for the general election after next

[rov1200]

Jake so you suppose the Tories will be in power for only 3 years come 2013. You can bet if the government hands over the collection of road fees to a private company it will be up and running in no time. Look at the M6 toll road. I am convinced that your vote at the next general election in 2010 will give the green light for the future 'charge by the mile' operation. Maybe its the reason why current politicians are keeping stumpph.

I agree PB with the highway robbery at the M25 river crossing. Goes to show its easier to keep a tax going rather than introducing a new tax to finance the old one.