....GMB PERSPECTIVE..
And there are daily posts on all those Facebook groups with people complaining that their journey times are now longer and the new game to play with the kids is ‘spot the cyclist’.
Now as I stated at the beginning; I am a motorist, a pedestrian and a cyclist, and sometimes when the mood hits me I actually do some running, so I do feel that I can have an objective view.
However despite tying to be objective I simply cannot fathom how the minds of local councillors work.
For example I have heard too many times the excuse that: “It’s the government’s fault because it wanted to hand out money to cities and towns to aid social distancing.” Sorry that doesn’t wash with me. As far as I know the powers that be never told anyone to use the money without thinking about the consequences, let alone modelling of congestion and extra pollution.
For example: the city is about £25m short of funds, but the coun- cil has removed a massive amount of car parking income to accommodate these pop-up ‘Covid-19 Bike Lanes’. Well that’s an easy fix because all that will happen is that the rates will all go up to make up the difference.
However, because of the outcry and criticism of the congestion on the seafront road the council has had to remove 600m of the ‘Covid-19 Bike Lane’ and apparently this cost £3k to do. But don’t worry, this will just be added to the looming increase in rates.
The council also closed off a major road in the city called Madeira V
Drive. This caused a huge outcry as this is used for motoring events such as the ‘Old Crocks – London to Brighton Vintage Car Rally Event. This was apparently for exercise and social distancing reasons. I think the council forgot that we have a massive seafront on which people can exercise.
But the council has done a U-turn on this and has stated that Madeira Drive will now be re-opened - but only as one-way. I understand the opposition party suggested this a few weeks ago.
However, back to good old ex-building company boss Green Councillor Pete West. Well he resigned under what the local rag headlined as “Brighton’s cycle lane chief quits amid backlash”. Perhaps he may consider re-opening up his old building company in the city, but of course only using his bicycle to lug around bags of cement and planks of wood.
Lastly if this appears to be an attack on an individual councillor then it is absolutely not meant to be. However, if a councillor puts themself in a gung-ho position with unrealistic dreams and inten- tions and without stopping to consider the consequences, then they also put themself in the firing line of criticism.
Andy Peters Secretary GMB Brighton & Hove Taxi Section
andy.peters@
gmbtaxis.org.uk
VIKING 5 TAXIMETERS
The Mirror Red £192 inc VAT + fitting
5 year guarantee TfL approved European MID approved
The Viking 5 £168 inc VAT + fitting
Auto dim for night use Printer and data output 50 smart tariffs
The Mirror Blue £204 inc VAT + fitting
Over 100 UK dealers PCB conformal coated Clock calendar control
0161 628 4093
www.vikingtaximeters.com
sales@vikingtaximeters.com OCTOBER 2020
55
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112
