Category Archives: Uncategorized

Road pricing?

Posted on 16th November 2020 by Martin Cassini

The song Taxman by George Harrison and John Lennon has the lines, “If you drive a car we’ll tax the street … If you take a walk we’ll tax your feet”. Traffic regulation costs tens of billions a year yet fails to keep us … Continue reading →

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Lights or phones more dangerous?

Posted on 19th October 2020 by Martin Cassini

Officialdom justifies draconian new measures against mobile phone use by casualty figures where phone use has played a part. But those figures are much lower than “accidents” at traffic lights. According to this BBC news  briefing, in 2019, there were … Continue reading →

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Dereliction of duty?

Posted on 11th October 2020 by Martin Cassini

If the aim of Devon Highways is to increase congestion in Barnstaple and elsewhere, then Cabinet Member for Highways Management, Stuart Hughes, is to be congratulated. If, however, the aim is to reduce congestion and improve air quality, then he … Continue reading →

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Abusive traffic policy

Posted on 11th October 2020 by Martin Cassini

Just as the exposure of abuse in the Church must bring penitence and reparation, says Stephen Cottrell, Archbishop of York, so the perpetrators of the traffic system, which causes untold injustice and harm, then blames you and me for the … Continue reading →

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60mph on motorways

Posted on 14th September 2020 by Martin Cassini

New 60mph limits are being imposed on stretches of the motorway network, “to cut levels of nitrogen dioxide”, says Highways England. Highways England is the state-run agency that promoted the use of hard shoulders – at some locations, can you believe, … Continue reading →

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Totally totalitarian?

Posted on 14th September 2020 by Martin Cassini

On the Today Programme, that eminent scourge of totalitarianism, former High Court Judge, Lord Sumption, challenged edicts restricting freedom of movement and assembly. If a 75 year-old chooses to see her grandchildren and risk possible infection, rather than shut herself … Continue reading →

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At last?

Posted on 2nd August 2020 by Martin Cassini

Cambridge has built a new roundabout embodying the change in hierarchy that usually happens when traffic lights are out of action. It seems to be the breakthrough I’v‪e been advocating for two decades. The desired shift in the balance of … Continue reading →

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Misuse of public funds

Posted on 28th July 2020 by Martin Cassini

The government announces a 2bn spend on protected cycle lanes. It claims to be treating causes not symptoms, yet is leaving the the fatal flaw at the heart of the system – priority – untreated. Promoting one mode at the … Continue reading →

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50 to 60

Posted on 26th July 2020 by Martin Cassini

The speed limit along motorway works is being raised from 50 to 60. They ‘needed’ a year-long study to show we can drive in a straight line at 60 in perfect safety. Policymaking in the traffic field is puerile and … Continue reading →

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Govian sense overruled

Posted on 15th July 2020 by Martin Cassini

On the subject of making it compulsory to wear a mask in enclosed public places, Michael Gove said it’s always best to trust people’s commonsense. Agreed. So why are we forbidden from using commonsense about when or what speed to go? … Continue reading →

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