| Topic: | Re:Reply | |
| Posted by: | Steven Rose | |
| Date/Time: | 06/02/26 20:17:00 |
| Richard, you have argued throughout that the closure of Hammersmith Bridge has not affected traffic flow at Putney Bridge. Your evidence is that the number of cars crossing the river at Putney Bridge and the other West London bridges has actually decreased since the closure. But this fact does not prove your case. The most likely explanation for the decrease is that more people are working from home since the pandemic. It is quite possible that traffic flow at Putney Bridge migh5 have decreased still more if Hammersmith Bridge had not been closed. The assumption behind your view is that all the motorists who used to cross the river at Hammersmith have abandoned their cars and now use alternative means of transport. This is inherently unlikely. Many people crossing the river need their cars either for business or because their destination is not well served by public transport. These individuals necessarily must use another bridge, adding to congestion. Philippa’s quip that loosening your belt is no cure for obesity is true. But tightening your belt when you are overweight is likely to lead to painful stomach cramps and a visit to the doctor. Closing bridges to cars is not a cure for traffic congestion. Would you be in favour of closing Putney Bridge as well? Why not close all the bridges? That would certainly solve the problem of congestion. Road pricing , which you advocate, is controversial. I accept that a fixed road tax for motorists regardless of the number of journeys they make is somewhat unfair. But road pricing would depress economic activity when businesses are already facing increasing taxes. It would also be regressive, affecting poorer families most. Furthermore it would constitute a form of double taxation on motorists who already pay VAT on fuel. And it would turn the UK into a surveillance society. |
| Topic | Date Posted | Posted By |
| Hammersmith Bridge - A Fundamental Point | 25/01/26 22:49:00 | Miles Thompson |
| Re:Hammersmith Bridge - A Fundamental Point | 26/01/26 08:45:00 | Barbara Stevens |
| Re:Re:Hammersmith Bridge - A Fundamental Point | 27/01/26 13:45:00 | Philippa Bond |
| Re:Re:Re:Hammersmith Bridge - A Fundamental Point | 27/01/26 13:51:00 | Barbara Stevens |
| Re:Re:Re:Re:Hammersmith Bridge - A Fundamental Point | 28/01/26 13:46:00 | Miles Thompson |
| Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Hammersmith Bridge - A Fundamental Point | 29/01/26 11:06:00 | Philippa Bond |
| Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Hammersmith Bridge - A Fundamental Point | 04/02/26 10:06:00 | Peter Higgins |
| Reply | 04/02/26 14:01:00 | Richard Carter |
| Re:Reply | 04/02/26 14:25:00 | Barbara Stevens |
| Re:Reply | 04/02/26 14:28:00 | Barbara Stevens |
| Re:Re:Reply | 04/02/26 18:03:00 | Steven Rose |
| Reply | 04/02/26 19:08:00 | Richard Carter |
| Re:Reply | 04/02/26 19:23:00 | Barbara Stevens |
| Reply | 05/02/26 08:06:00 | Richard Carter |
| Reply | 04/02/26 19:10:00 | Michael Ixer |
| Re:Reply | 04/02/26 19:25:00 | Barbara Stevens |
| Re:Re:Reply | 04/02/26 20:17:00 | Steven Rose |
| Reply | 05/02/26 11:09:00 | Richard Carter |
| Reply | 05/02/26 11:22:00 | Martine Guy |
| Re:Reply | 05/02/26 15:09:00 | Ivonne Holliday |
| Reply | 05/02/26 15:52:00 | Michael Ixer |
| Re:Reply | 05/02/26 16:37:00 | David Ainsworth |
| Re:Re:Reply | 05/02/26 16:58:00 | Peter Higgins |
| Re:Re:Re:Reply | 05/02/26 19:57:00 | Philippa Bond |
| Re:Re:Re:Re:Reply | 05/02/26 20:31:00 | Barbara Stevens |
| Reply | 06/02/26 12:38:00 | Richard Carter |
| Reply | 06/02/26 13:03:00 | Martine Guy |
| Re:Reply | 06/02/26 14:29:00 | Barbara Stevens |
| Reply | 06/02/26 19:32:00 | Richard Carter |
| Reply | 06/02/26 19:47:00 | Martine Guy |
| Re:Reply | 06/02/26 19:54:00 | Barbara Stevens |
| Re:Reply | 06/02/26 20:17:00 | Steven Rose |
| Re:Reply | 06/02/26 20:10:00 | Ivonne Holliday |