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Hot on the news that a high occupancy lane has been opened up north, comes news that such a proposed scheme for down south, between junctions seven and 10 of the M1, has been abandoned as being unrealistic.
Hot on the news that a high occupancy lane has been opened up north, comes news that such a proposed scheme for down south, between junctions seven and 10 of the M1, has been abandoned as being unrealistic.
Six days ago, transport minister Ruth Kelly officially opened a 1.7-mile stretch of hard shoulder between the southbound M606 and the eastbound M62 toward Leeds for use by cars and taxis carrying two or more people. This followed the construction of new lay-bys for broken down vehicles, with the new high occupancy lane estimated to save up to seven minutes on journey times.
Unfortunately, the Department for Transport has determined that such a scheme is not viable for the M1 as it will not allow for vehicles leaving and entering the motorway between St. Albans and Luton. Switching a high occupancy vehicle lane to the outside lane would prove too dangerous and difficult to police as there would be no emergency lay-bys for broken down vehicles and camera technology to check occupancy does not yet exist.
Talking of camera technology, the speed cameras covering the variable speed limit stretches of the M25 are going digital, which will mean greater enforcement and a massive increase in fines as the cameras will not run out of film. Apparently, the latter were set rather conservatively for catching 90mph+ speedsters when the 70mph limit was in force but the digital ones will catch you at 10% plus 2mph over whatever speed limit is applied.
If you think that's tough, just think about the poor citizens of Portsmouth who will soon have to limit their speed in residential areas to just 20mph. The council has only one final section to complete before there is a blanket 20mph speed restriction. Norwich council is considering following suit.
Times are definitely a changing. With more cycle lanes planned in major towns and cities, it will not be long before using a bike will be an attractive proposition. Maintaining a steady 20mph on the flat is quite a realistic proposition for a cyclist, added to which two-wheel self-propelled mobility keeps you fit. All we need to do is sort out the weather!
Seriously though, it is inevitable that our habits will change. In the future, with the imposition of lower speed limits, we will think twice about using cars for short journeys. In many ways this can be no bad thing, making our neighbourhoods cleaner, safer and quieter.
I am just dreading the day when central Government decides to impose a blanket 50mph national speed limit so that we all save on fuel.
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