http://politics.guardian.co.uk/local...682621,00.html

The Guardian article indicates that local government reform may be on
the way in the form of City Regions. It sounds like deja vu all over
again for Greater Manchester although local politicians have
reservations about a directly elected mayor like London's "Red Ken" -
although the colour seems to have faded.Whilst not going along with
many of his views I have always been impressed with the way he has
through, Transport for London, been an innovative force - driving
forward the Docklands Light Railway,the East London Line extension, the
congestion charge ( particularly putting the surpluses back into
transport infrastructure.) and a sensible system for regulating the
buses. Outside of London the eight major city regions are generally
groaning with congestion on a crumbly infrastructure so perhaps relief
might be in sight.
But now I wonder - is there a catch?

"Bob" wrote in message
ps.com...
http://politics.guardian.co.uk/local...682621,00.html

The Guardian article indicates that local government reform may be on
the way in the form of City Regions. It sounds like deja vu all over
again for Greater Manchester although local politicians have
reservations about a directly elected mayor like London's "Red Ken" -
although the colour seems to have faded.Whilst not going along with
many of his views I have always been impressed with the way he has
through, Transport for London, been an innovative force - driving
forward the Docklands Light Railway,the East London Line extension, the
congestion charge ( particularly putting the surpluses back into
transport infrastructure.) and a sensible system for regulating the
buses. Outside of London the eight major city regions are generally
groaning with congestion on a crumbly infrastructure so perhaps relief
might be in sight.
But now I wonder - is there a catch?


Yep. who is going to pay for it all? Peter Hendy has pointed out he has only
been able to reform London Bus services the way he has because of the amount
of cash they have received from the treasury. Can you see the PTE's getting
the same sort of funding?

"Paul" Paul @whydoyoucare.co.uk wrote in message
...

"Bob" wrote in message
ps.com...
http://politics.guardian.co.uk/local...682621,00.html

The Guardian article indicates that local government reform may be on
the way in the form of City Regions. It sounds like deja vu all over
again for Greater Manchester although local politicians have
reservations about a directly elected mayor like London's "Red Ken" -
although the colour seems to have faded.Whilst not going along with
many of his views I have always been impressed with the way he has
through, Transport for London, been an innovative force - driving
forward the Docklands Light Railway,the East London Line extension, the
congestion charge ( particularly putting the surpluses back into
transport infrastructure.) and a sensible system for regulating the
buses. Outside of London the eight major city regions are generally
groaning with congestion on a crumbly infrastructure so perhaps relief
might be in sight.
But now I wonder - is there a catch?


Yep. who is going to pay for it all? Peter Hendy has pointed out he has
only been able to reform London Bus services the way he has because of the
amount of cash they have received from the treasury. Can you see the PTE's
getting the same sort of funding?
You beat me to it. The system in London has led to a reduction in the
quality, particularly of buses, in many other parts of the UK due to the big
groups targeting their investment to win TfL contracts which are lucrative
to them (and expensive to the taxpayer), and cascading older, kna****ed
buses elsewhere.

Sean

On 18 Jan 2006 01:58:13 -0800, "Bob"
wrote:

http://politics.guardian.co.uk/local...682621,00.html

The Guardian article indicates that local government reform may be on
the way in the form of City Regions. It sounds like deja vu all over
again for Greater Manchester although local politicians have
reservations about a directly elected mayor like London's "Red Ken" -
although the colour seems to have faded.Whilst not going along with
many of his views I have always been impressed with the way he has
through, Transport for London, been an innovative force - driving
forward the Docklands Light Railway,the East London Line extension, the
congestion charge ( particularly putting the surpluses back into
transport infrastructure.) and a sensible system for regulating the
buses. Outside of London the eight major city regions are generally
groaning with congestion on a crumbly infrastructure so perhaps relief
might be in sight.
But now I wonder - is there a catch?

There are two catches really.

One is money which others have mentioned. Ken is astute enough to know
he had a one off chance to get cash and thus to spend it. He did that
with buses, won the Mayoral election for Labour and then got more cash
which he is slinging at the Tube and DLR as fast as he can before the
taps get turned off. He has to get the contracts and deals in place ASAP
so that a successor cannot stop the projects. The biggest deal that he
probably won't get is Crossrail despite the changes made to try to
maximise private sector investment in return for serving as much as
Docklands and the City as they justify. Still I won't be upset if we
get the ELLX and the various DLR expansion schemes. I'd like to see
Thameslink sorted too but I think that's a project too far for the
Mayor.

The second (related) issue is politics. Transport is so crucial to
London and thus votes in London that it is politically sensible for
money to be thrown at London by the Labour Government via the Mayor. It
is obvious that no such political sensitivity applies in many of the Met
County areas given Mr Darling's trashing of various tram schemes, his
reluctance to boost bus spending to anything like London levels and the
lack of care being devoted to National Rail franchises and PTE
involvement in such. I would expect a Tory London Mayor to have to
have to crawl on his or her hands and knees to a Labour Chancellor for
funding for TfL. The same would apply if we had a Labour Mayor and a
Tory Chancellor.

We live in fortunate times for London but I think this is a once in
30-40 year chance so we need to make the most of it. I do feel sorry
for the rest of the country because there is so much that needs doing
but then no government of any colour has ever had a proper transport
policy or bothered to deliver the one they say that had in their
manifestos.
--
Paul C


Admits to working for London Underground!

"Bob" wrote in message
ps.com...

http://politics.guardian.co.uk/local...682621,00.html

The Guardian article indicates that local government reform may be on
the way in the form of City Regions. It sounds like deja vu all over
again for Greater Manchester although local politicians have
reservations about a directly elected mayor like London's "Red Ken" -
although the colour seems to have faded.Whilst not going along with
many of his views I have always been impressed with the way he has
through, Transport for London, been an innovative force - driving
forward the Docklands Light Railway,the East London Line extension,
the
congestion charge ( particularly putting the surpluses back into
transport infrastructure.) and a sensible system for regulating the
buses. Outside of London the eight major city regions are generally
groaning with congestion on a crumbly infrastructure so perhaps relief
might be in sight.
But now I wonder - is there a catch?

What the stupid ****s should do is to bring all the buses, Underground
trains and all associated companies together under one organisation and
call it "London Transport" - and bring back the Routemaster bus while
they're at it.
Regards Mike.

--
"Remember that age and treachery will always triumph over youth and
ability" (David Brent).

Bob wrote:
http://politics.guardian.co.uk/local...682621,00.html

local politicians have
reservations about a directly elected mayor like London's "Red Ken" -
although the colour seems to have faded.

Faded? It's changed completely hasn't it? He's now green Ken pursuing a
Low Emissions Zone policy, which will mean the London to Brighton
Veteran Car Rally will never start from London again because none of
the eligible vehicles are built to Euro III standards!

Acrosticus wrote:

Faded? It's changed completely hasn't it? He's now green Ken pursuing a
Low Emissions Zone policy, which will mean the London to Brighton
Veteran Car Rally will never start from London again because none of
the eligible vehicles are built to Euro III standards!

I did not realise that - how sad, how daft. The event should continue
and,perhaps, be held up as an exception to prove the rule. IIRC George
Santayana said "Those who cannot remeber the past are condemned to
repeat it". I do hope common sense would prevail on this one,

Bob wrote:
Acrosticus wrote:

Faded? It's changed completely hasn't it? He's now green Ken
pursuing a Low Emissions Zone policy, which will mean the London to
Brighton Veteran Car Rally will never start from London again
because none of the eligible vehicles are built to Euro III
standards!

I did not realise that - how sad, how daft. The event should
continue
and,perhaps, be held up as an exception to prove the rule. IIRC
George
Santayana said "Those who cannot remeber the past are condemned to
repeat it". I do hope common sense would prevail on this one,

Are you sure this is right;

From the TFL website:

Which vehicles would be affected?
A Feasibility Study was undertaken between 2001 and 2003 to assess the
options for introducing a LEZ. The Study found that it was most
effective to target heavier, diesel vehicles and potentially LGVs as
they typically emit more pollution per kilometre driven.. There is no
intention to target cars with the proposed LEZ.
From early 2008, the proposed LEZ would affect Heavy Goods Vehicles
(HGVs) over 7.5 tonnes. From mid 2008, the proposed LEZ would affect
HGVs from 3.5 to 7.5 tonnes, buses and coaches from mid 2008.
The LEZ could potentially be extended to cover diesel-engined Light
Goods Vehicles (LGVs) from 2010 subject to further analysis.
The LEZ would affect all vehicles entering the zone, wherever they are
registered.

http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/low-emission-zone/faqs.asp

How does that relate to participants in the London to Brighton run?

Simon Wren ) gurgled happily, sounding much like they
were saying :

From the TFL website:

Which vehicles would be affected?
A Feasibility Study was undertaken between 2001 and 2003 to assess the
options for introducing a LEZ. The Study found that it was most
effective to target heavier, diesel vehicles and potentially LGVs as
they typically emit more pollution per kilometre driven.. There is no
intention to target cars with the proposed LEZ.
From early 2008, the proposed LEZ would affect Heavy Goods Vehicles
(HGVs) over 7.5 tonnes. From mid 2008, the proposed LEZ would affect
HGVs from 3.5 to 7.5 tonnes, buses and coaches from mid 2008.
The LEZ could potentially be extended to cover diesel-engined Light
Goods Vehicles (LGVs) from 2010 subject to further analysis.
The LEZ would affect all vehicles entering the zone, wherever they are
registered.

http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/low-emission-zone/faqs.asp

How does that relate to participants in the London to Brighton run?

This para relates...
"There is no intention to target cars with the proposed LEZ."

"Acrosticus" wrote in message
oups.com...

Bob wrote:
http://politics.guardian.co.uk/local...682621,00.html

local politicians have
reservations about a directly elected mayor like London's "Red Ken" -
although the colour seems to have faded.

Faded? It's changed completely hasn't it? He's now green Ken pursuing a
Low Emissions Zone policy, which will mean the London to Brighton
Veteran Car Rally will never start from London again because none of
the eligible vehicles are built to Euro III standards!


Some people post utter rubbish! Please explain under what ruling this will
be