moose
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Post by moose on Oct 21, 2022 15:19:04 GMT
But is congestion really a bad thing if isn't causing environmental damage? The consultation says the zone would only come in once the bus network has been properly upgraded. If that leads to buses being the quickest way to get around Cambridge, then people would obviously shift towards that. That's a fair question. I would say yes, because I'm an impatient chap and like to get to where I'm going in good time, but I hadn't truthfully considered the greenery in that part of my thinking. Get yourself on the bus then
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cambsno
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Post by cambsno on Oct 21, 2022 15:55:45 GMT
Because electric cars contribute to congestion as much as gas-guzzlers? But is congestion really a bad thing if isn't causing environmental damage? The consultation says the zone would only come in once the bus network has been properly upgraded. If that leads to buses being the quickest way to get around Cambridge, then people would obviously shift towards that. But what does 'properly updated' mean? To vague for such a policy
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Sandypants
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Post by Sandypants on Oct 22, 2022 8:50:30 GMT
That's a fair question. I would say yes, because I'm an impatient chap and like to get to where I'm going in good time, but I hadn't truthfully considered the greenery in that part of my thinking. Get yourself on the bus then Oh I cycle. You won't catch me in a car in Cambridge unless its necessary!
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Post by Jerry1971 on Nov 3, 2022 14:50:11 GMT
Worth bumping this up again to encourage as many folks as possible to respond to the consultation and hopefully oppose these monstrous plans. I find it incredible that Labour and the Lib Dems, who between them are responsible for the political direction of the GCP are actually backing a plan which clearly discriminates against the less well off in our City and surrounds. Those folks who work in supermarkets, the NHS, make the beds in Colleges etc will all lose big time with the unfair car tax, either financially by having to pay as the 'World Class' bus service promised turns out to be anything but meaning that to work at anti-social hours means they will have to drive and get caught at one end of the charging period or the other, or from the perspective of having to pay for bus fares where otherwise they may well be able to park near workplaces. Added to that the inconvenience of massively increased journey times impacting on family and social lives away from work and you have a really iniquitous and divisive plan which ultimately benefits nobody except for a few principled cyclists living off Mill Road.
Quite how CamCycle has managed to skew the narrative within local authorities to the extent that the GCP and others lap up everything they preach is a mystery, but one which needs investigating. The infiltration of lunacy into local transport planning threatens to leave Cambridge as a laughing stock - quite literally worthy of the old saying 'will the last one out please turn off the lights' as it will destroy us as a City. Then again, that is probably what the avo-eating do-gooders of Romsey Town want.
As for the GCP, many years of enormous funding from Central Government and what have they acheived? Environmental vandalism (most recently last week on the Milton Road roundabout, and coming soon to Coton), endless money wasted on consultants and report writing and all for what? To demonstrate their own intellectually challenged ideology and arrogance? They care not one toot for residents, other than the aforesaid CamCycle, and to penalise those working at, or using the hospital by including it in the car tax zone is an absolute disgrace. They should be ashamed of themselves.
Buses are not, never have been, and never will be 'the answer'. Neither is cycling, walking or the 'active travel' garbage GCP is quick to promote. All modes of transport, including cars, have a key role to play in the make up of any City, and to wilfully discriminate against the largest user group of all in favour of a minority is just ludicrous. Please all, tell these morons what you really think.
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cambsno
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Post by cambsno on Nov 4, 2022 13:46:44 GMT
Well, in a small positive there was a SCDC by election in Longstanton yesterday as the 2 LD had stood down. Last election was 6 months ago and they went from 1300+ and 1100+ votes to less than 600 each. Independent on an anti congestion charge basis came close but in the end we got 1 Tory and 1 LD elected - so quite astonishing when you think of how poorly the Tories are doing in the polls and how we lurch from 1 mess up to another.
To add to Jerry's post above - the Labour leader is an XR member so explains the anti car message.
The plans are totally flawed, using outdated data and information and lacking any serious detail. They promise 'London style buses'. That may be the case if going from city to Cherry Hinton but most villages will not see more than 1 per hour.
If you want to save trees and all that then fine just be aware of the cost that comes with that:
- Families being worse off. If a couple work in town thats £250 a month in congestion tax to pay a MONTH!!! - Gridlock in evenings and weekends - I mean who with any sense will go shopping in town 7-7 on a weekday - go after 7 or at weekends. Chaos! Then no doubt the weekends will be included in the charge! - What will that mean to hospitality workers or shop workers on low wages... shifts reduced and some shops may even go as they will lose business. More jobs lost! - Even for the few Tues games we have, unless you want to fork out a fiver each time you will have to crawl along the A14 or M11 until 7.01pm before joining everyone else getting to football so chaos then. - People who may have another job to make ends meet like cleaners will find they have to reduce hours as they cant be in town at 7am or its £5 - half their hourly wage! - Remember vans cost more so prices of things in town will be more - on a personal note, I love live music and Cambridge has a good music scene, this will mean bands and pubs having to absorb more cost as you need a car/van to transport drums and not use the bus!
Be careful with the consultation - the independent told me that you shouldnt answer all the questions if opposed to it as some are geared to making you sound like you support it so stick to the obvious do you agree with type.
Can you imagine the Lab/LD parties if the Tories said cancer patients would need to get a bus to get treated or pay £5... well that is what they are planning!
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pj
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Post by pj on Nov 14, 2022 15:57:08 GMT
Stagecoach can’t even recruit enough drivers to run the buses that they already have timetabled. Where in earth do they think the drivers for all these additional buses are going to come from?
People will obviously just visit other places that don’t have such a charge. The GCP are killing Cambridge commercially
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cambsno
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Post by cambsno on Dec 22, 2022 9:56:57 GMT
Last chance to fill in the consultation as this closes Friday 23rd at lunchtime.
Get your kids to fill it in, everyone in your family (as thats what the pro lot are advocating).
Cambridge Utd have spoken out against it.
You know its a bad idea if the Tories AND the Unions agree on it, and I think the Green party have come out and said it is not right as well!!!
Stop this unelected quango ruining the city and turning into one big Uni campus!
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imp566
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Post by imp566 on Dec 22, 2022 10:12:01 GMT
Sadly, this is a copy of what Oxford are doing. Following like sheep!
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cambsno
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Post by cambsno on Dec 22, 2022 10:20:45 GMT
Sadly, this is a copy of what Oxford are doing. Following like sheep! Yes, they are basically rationing people going to other parts of the city. Big Brother is here!!! We do have some local elections in May I believe so a chance to vote out the Lib Dems and Labour lot who are pushing this (Labour in particular) - I know its sounds political but it is not meant to be, they just support it so the best way to stop it is to vote for Indy/Tory, as much as it may pain people. Then this gets stopped, and once they have learned their lesson, vote for them in a future election!
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Sandypants
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Post by Sandypants on Dec 22, 2022 14:31:02 GMT
Sadly, this is a copy of what Oxford are doing. Following like sheep! Yes, they are basically rationing people going to other parts of the city. Big Brother is here!!! We do have some local elections in May I believe so a chance to vote out the Lib Dems and Labour lot who are pushing this (Labour in particular) - I know its sounds political but it is not meant to be, they just support it so the best way to stop it is to vote for Indy/Tory, as much as it may pain people. Then this gets stopped, and once they have learned their lesson, vote for them in a future election! Local and national politics are different beasts. I can forgive (how noble of me!) voting for the local arm of a national evil to stop openly damaging local policies. I think I'd stick to spoiling my vote personally though
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MartinL
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Post by MartinL on Dec 26, 2022 11:37:17 GMT
Sadly, this is a copy of what Oxford are doing. Following like sheep! Yes, they are basically rationing people going to other parts of the city. Big Brother is here!!! We do have some local elections in May I believe so a chance to vote out the Lib Dems and Labour lot who are pushing this (Labour in particular) - I know its sounds political but it is not meant to be, they just support it so the best way to stop it is to vote for Indy/Tory, as much as it may pain people. Then this gets stopped, and once they have learned their lesson, vote for them in a future election! The cynic in me thinks it’s only opposed by the tories because it’s an initiative by opposing parties. With elections on the horizon, opposing what is an unpopular idea with the electorate is obviously a smart move.
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rozza1
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Post by rozza1 on Jan 12, 2023 10:29:49 GMT
The BBC is holding a televised debate on the 3rd February. If you don't want it to be a bunch of university academics then try and get involved, especially if you're passionate about it.
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cambsno
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Post by cambsno on Jan 12, 2023 11:10:56 GMT
Yes, they are basically rationing people going to other parts of the city. Big Brother is here!!! We do have some local elections in May I believe so a chance to vote out the Lib Dems and Labour lot who are pushing this (Labour in particular) - I know its sounds political but it is not meant to be, they just support it so the best way to stop it is to vote for Indy/Tory, as much as it may pain people. Then this gets stopped, and once they have learned their lesson, vote for them in a future election! The cynic in me thinks it’s only opposed by the tories because it’s an initiative by opposing parties. With elections on the horizon, opposing what is an unpopular idea with the electorate is obviously a smart move. The realist in me doesnt care why they oppose it. Its such a bad idea you have the Greens, Tories and Trade Unions united in its view that it will cause harm and hardship!! It is a minority of Lib Dems and Labour, but sadly that minority are the idiots like Baigent who want it through regardless of the pain. The parties need to remove those idiots!
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pj
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Post by pj on Jan 31, 2023 16:42:17 GMT
I fear that this congestion tax will go ahead irrespective of the views of the public
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imp566
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Post by imp566 on Jan 31, 2023 16:47:08 GMT
I fear that this congestion tax will go ahead irrespective of the views of the public That's what usually happens. They consult, we say 'no thanks' they say 'tough we are doing it anyway!'
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