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Britains Crap Roads, Answers wanted
We arrived on the Sea Cat (The Vomit Comet) at Ostend and drive 13
miles to Bruges where you are directed down a tunnel some miles out of the city. After driving some distance underground, you are directed into giant car parks and take the lift back to daylight, where you arrive in the middle of a huge town square with Bars and restaurants around the edge, and the latest shops within a short walk. No Stress at all. Sounds a bit like Canary Wharf. Compare this with a trip to London where parking meters earn more that a worker's minimum hourly wage and everything is designed to give the maximum stress and the minimum value. Talking of which, that gives me a strangely good idea on how to make a few extra quid - anyone know if parking meters can be privately run? Peter |
Britains Crap Roads, Answers wanted
The fare from my local station in Hampshire to London, 2 adults 4 children
is £51.50. How can I get to Paris for less? Bloody hell, that's very reasonable. Is that with a Family Railcard (or whatever the latest incarnation of that is called) or just standard fares? I do like driving places, but I'm all for travelling by the best method for the situation. "Best" being defined as the best compromise of time, running costs, the need for sleep, etc. etc. A while back when I bought my van from a bloke up in Glasgow, I briefly considered driving up, but only very briefly. I looked up flight prices on all the budget airlines, and got an early flight from Stansted to Glasgow for around the £35 mark including taxes. Plus £15 for petrol for my mate to drop me off there, it came to around £50 anyway (certainly within £5 anyway). Left the house (Berkshire) at 4:30am, walked out the front of Glasgow airport (no luggage, so walked straight out) at 8:00am, then aobut two quid and half an hour later I walked through the front door of the co-op bank in Glasgow at 8:30am. Not bad at all. I could almost commute it :-) Booking in for the flight was easy enough, and hanging around time was 30-45 minutes at the most, and I must say the way the handle the checking in queues at Stansted was excellent (a few people calling out "all people for 5:50 check-in" etc., enabling them to skip the queue and go straight through). Got to read a paper and have a kip on the plane, and overall a very relaxing journey, and one that would have taken at least 1.5x the time driving up, not to mention having to put a friend through a very long day, driving wise. Peter |
Britains Crap Roads, Answers wanted
On Thu, 09 Oct 2003 19:04:55 +0100, JohnB wrote:
So where is the airport in Bruges and what's the flight fare? The airport is Ostend -Bruges, 29Km from Bruges coach Xfer €5 each way The fare is from £1.99 to London Stanstead according to the Ryanair website. DG |
Britains Crap Roads, Answers wanted
AstraVanMan wrote: The fare from my local station in Hampshire to London, 2 adults 4 children is £51.50. How can I get to Paris for less? Bloody hell, that's very reasonable. Is that with a Family Railcard (or whatever the latest incarnation of that is called) or just standard fares? Yep, with a Family Railcard. John B |
Britains Crap Roads, Answers wanted
derek wrote: On Thu, 09 Oct 2003 19:04:55 +0100, JohnB wrote: So where is the airport in Bruges and what's the flight fare? The airport is Ostend -Bruges, 29Km from Bruges coach Xfer €5 each way The fare is from £1.99 to London Stanstead according to the Ryanair website. That's not bad. Unfortunately it would cost me and the family £80 return for the fare to Stansted (4 hour-ish journey) plus the trouble of crossing London. John B |
Britains Crap Roads, Answers wanted
JohnB wrote:
AstraVanMan wrote: The fare from my local station in Hampshire to London, 2 adults 4 children is £51.50. How can I get to Paris for less? Bloody hell, that's very reasonable. Is that with a Family Railcard (or whatever the latest incarnation of that is called) or just standard fares? Yep, with a Family Railcard. God, it makes it not much more than three times the price of using a car. -- http://www.speedlimit.org.uk "If laws are to be respected, they must be worthy of respect." |
Britains Crap Roads, Answers wanted
"Grant Mason" wrote in message ... So the OP's point was not rubbish, unlike your assertions. Illogical ********. I have stated what he said, your "proof" does not address those points. |
Britains Crap Roads, Answers wanted
"PeterE" wrote the following in:
JohnB wrote: AstraVanMan wrote: The fare from my local station in Hampshire to London, 2 adults 4 children is £51.50. How can I get to Paris for less? Bloody hell, that's very reasonable. Is that with a Family Railcard (or whatever the latest incarnation of that is called) or just standard fares? Yep, with a Family Railcard. God, it makes it not much more than three times the price of using a car. But you don't have to shell out several thousand for a car, money for road tax, some for insurance, and more for maintenance of the car. -- message by Robin May, consumer of liquids Hello. I'm one of those "roaring fascists of the left wing". Hacker is to computer as boy racer is to Ford Escort. |
Britains Crap Roads, Answers wanted
On Sat, 11 Oct 2003 01:29:47 +0000, Robin May wrote:
But you don't have to shell out several thousand for a car, money for road tax, some for insurance, and more for maintenance of the car. For long trips or holidays to - say - the lakes, it's probably cheaper to buy a £200 car with 2 months tax/mot. You can always hire a car too |
Britains Crap Roads, Answers wanted
But you don't have to shell out several thousand for a car, money for
road tax, some for insurance, and more for maintenance of the car. For long trips or holidays to - say - the lakes, it's probably cheaper to buy a £200 car with 2 months tax/mot. Cheaper, maybe. I'd rather keep my eyes peeled for a car anywhere in the sub-£2k bracket that's particularly well priced for what it is, and something reasonably well sought after so that it'll be a doddle to sell on afterwards, rather than restrict myself to a cheap £200 old banger. Having said that, if you're lucky you can get a car in pretty decent nick for £200. Peter |
Britains Crap Roads, Answers wanted
Robin May wrote:
"PeterE" wrote the following in: God, it makes it not much more than three times the price of using a car. But you don't have to shell out several thousand for a car, money for road tax, some for insurance, and more for maintenance of the car. But if you already own a car (like wot most families do) then those are sunk costs and irrelevant to the decision. And, if you buy cars that are three years old or over, even on a fully costed basis running a car will only be about 20p a mile, so the car still works out much cheaper for that particular journey. Hello. I'm one of those "roaring fascists of the left wing". You said it, mate. -- http://www.speedlimit.org.uk "If laws are to be respected, they must be worthy of respect." |
Britains Crap Roads, Answers wanted
On Thu, 9 Oct 2003 23:20:28 +0100, "John Rowland"
wrote: "Jack Taylor" wrote in message ... Have any of these traffic planners ever been out to observe the potential carnage that they are inflicting upon road users? Even the construction companies installing them reckon that they are lethal and more dangerous than installing simple, cheap speed humps. What would the construction companies know? Every traffic measure is monitored by the responsible authority six months before and after its installation. If they were lethal, they would not be still installing them. Well they are still using 6 inch wide overbanding between the 3 strips of tarmac on the A6 out of Derby at Allestree golf course. Successfully Murdered about 6 people in the 80's so they dropped the speed limit to 30 from 50. Then painted diagonal white stripes all over the middle of the road, then they stuck bollards down the center too. But the excessive overbanding is still on the carriageway - just where most people place their offside wheels. One little dab of the brakes when it's just damp and the car steers like a tank! No offside braking at all so it does a 90 degree turn straight up the verge. they have moved all the lamp posts 20ft back from the road. The one I hit is still bent after 20 years - they moved it back along with all the others. -- Peter Hill Spamtrap reply domain as per NNTP-Posting-Host in header Can of worms - what every fisherman wants. Can of worms - what every PC owner gets! |
Britains Crap Roads, Answers wanted
PeterE wrote: JohnB wrote: AstraVanMan wrote: The fare from my local station in Hampshire to London, 2 adults 4 children is £51.50. How can I get to Paris for less? Bloody hell, that's very reasonable. Is that with a Family Railcard (or whatever the latest incarnation of that is called) or just standard fares? Yep, with a Family Railcard. God, it makes it not much more than three times the price of using a car. Silly man. No how about explaining your conclusion without knowing my other transport needs? John B |
Britains Crap Roads, Answers wanted
PeterE wrote: Robin May wrote: "PeterE" wrote the following in: God, it makes it not much more than three times the price of using a car. But you don't have to shell out several thousand for a car, money for road tax, some for insurance, and more for maintenance of the car. And I haven't. But if you already own a car (like wot most families do) then those are sunk costs and irrelevant to the decision. But I don't and the costs *would* be relevant. Several thousand pounds of releavance I'd guess. And, if you buy cars that are three years old or over, even on a fully costed basis running a car will only be about 20p a mile, so the car still works out much cheaper for that particular journey. You've really lost it this time haven't you in your blinkered assertion that everyone needs to follow *your* mobility patterns. Some people have moved on you know. John B |
Britains Crap Roads, Answers wanted
Paul Weaver wrote the following in:
On Sat, 11 Oct 2003 01:29:47 +0000, Robin May wrote: But you don't have to shell out several thousand for a car, money for road tax, some for insurance, and more for maintenance of the car. For long trips or holidays to - say - the lakes, it's probably cheaper to buy a £200 car with 2 months tax/mot. What about insurance? You can always hire a car too Are you really trying to say car hire is cheaper than travelling by train? Are you sane? -- message by Robin May, consumer of liquids Hello. I'm one of those "roaring fascists of the left wing". Hacker is to computer as boy racer is to Ford Escort. |
Britains Crap Roads, Answers wanted
Robin May wrote:
Paul Weaver wrote the following in: You can always hire a car too Are you really trying to say car hire is cheaper than travelling by train? Are you sane? If you're talking about standard fares (not discounted ones booked way advance) then it certainly is for many longer journeys, especially if you're taking more than one person. A standard class return from Manchester to London is £175 now, you know. Are you really trying to say car hire, for two people, is dearer than that? Are you sane? -- http://www.speedlimit.org.uk "If laws are to be respected, they must be worthy of respect." |
Britains Crap Roads, Answers wanted
On Sat, 11 Oct 2003 11:48:27 +0100, "PeterE"
wrote: A standard class return from Manchester to London is £175 now, you know. Going in the peak it is, yes. Off-peak, it's under 50 quid - and that does not need to be booked in advance. (Note: I do not seek to justify the above peak-time fare, as I definitely believe it is extortionate and I would not pay it, and travel off-peak or go by car, on principle). Are you really trying to say car hire, for two people, is dearer than that? Are you sane? Multiple passengers tend to affect the figure. If 5 are travelling, it's almost certainly cheaper to travel by car, hired or otherwise, regardless of any booked-in-advance tickets. Neil -- Neil Williams is a valid email address, but is sent to /dev/null. Try my first name at the above domain instead if you want to e-mail me. |
Britains Crap Roads, Answers wanted
Robin May wrote:
Paul Weaver wrote the following in: snip You can always hire a car too Are you really trying to say car hire is cheaper than travelling by train? Are you sane? Depends. Could I have hired a car for less than 80 quid for a weekend with 200 miles of petrol? Next time, I *will* hire a car. |
Britains Crap Roads, Answers wanted
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Britains Crap Roads, Answers wanted
PeterE wrote: Robin May wrote: Paul Weaver wrote the following in: You can always hire a car too Are you really trying to say car hire is cheaper than travelling by train? Are you sane? If you're talking about standard fares (not discounted ones booked way advance) then it certainly is for many longer journeys, especially if you're taking more than one person. So you don't phone up and book a hire car in advance? A standard class return from Manchester to London is £175 now, you know. So what. Are you really trying to say car hire, for two people, is dearer than that? Are you sane? Can you get from Manchester to London return same day in a hire car for less than £20? Thought not. John B |
Britains Crap Roads, Answers wanted
JohnB wrote:
PeterE wrote: Robin May wrote: Paul Weaver wrote the following in: You can always hire a car too Are you really trying to say car hire is cheaper than travelling by train? Are you sane? If you're talking about standard fares (not discounted ones booked way in advance) then it certainly is for many longer journeys, especially if you're taking more than one person. So you don't phone up and book a hire car in advance? As I own a car the need doesn't arise. For some business journeys I might know a couple of days in advance (and what is the fare for booking at 4pm on Monday to travel at 8 am on Tuesday?). For others I would not know until the day in question. A standard class return from Manchester to London is £175 now, you know. So what. It's extremely expensive, that's what. Are you really trying to say car hire, for two people, is dearer than that? Are you sane? Can you get from Manchester to London return same day in a hire car for less than £20? Can two people get from Manchester to London and back by train in a day for less than the cost of hire car plus petrol? Travelling between 7 and 10 am, and booking three days or less in advance? You're the PT advocate, you tell us. -- http://www.speedlimit.org.uk "If laws are to be respected, they must be worthy of respect." |
Britains Crap Roads, Answers wanted
"AstraVanMan" wrote in message ... But you don't have to shell out several thousand for a car, money for road tax, some for insurance, and more for maintenance of the car. For long trips or holidays to - say - the lakes, it's probably cheaper to buy a £200 car with 2 months tax/mot. Cheaper, maybe. I'd rather keep my eyes peeled for a car anywhere in the sub-£2k bracket that's particularly well priced for what it is, and something reasonably well sought after so that it'll be a doddle to sell on afterwards, rather than restrict myself to a cheap £200 old banger. Having said that, if you're lucky you can get a car in pretty decent nick for £200. It's hard but possible, I paid £230 for my current run about ok it's 20 years old but it's strait relatively low mileage came with 6 months tax and 12 months MOT and still feels good for another 20 years. Ideal when I don't want to take my main car to a dodgy area or it's off the road having work done to it. |
Britains Crap Roads, Answers wanted
PeterE wrote: JohnB wrote: PeterE wrote: Robin May wrote: Paul Weaver wrote the following in: You can always hire a car too Are you really trying to say car hire is cheaper than travelling by train? Are you sane? If you're talking about standard fares (not discounted ones booked way in advance) then it certainly is for many longer journeys, especially if you're taking more than one person. So you don't phone up and book a hire car in advance? As I own a car the need doesn't arise. ROTFLOL. A standard class return from Manchester to London is £175 now, you know. So what. It's extremely expensive, that's what. Yep. And I don't think very many would pay that. I doubt if I would. Many train fares are ridiculously high. Are you really trying to say car hire, for two people, is dearer than that? Are you sane? Can you get from Manchester to London return same day in a hire car for less than £20? Well? Can you? Can two people get from Manchester to London and back by train in a day for less than the cost of hire car plus petrol? So how much is that? BTW yes I am snipping out your attempts to sidestep the point that many people have moved on from believing there are no alternatives to the ownership of a private car. Seems you have a problem that some people make that choice. Most odd. John B |
Britains Crap Roads, Answers wanted
On Sat, 11 Oct 2003 21:27:06 +0100, "Depresion"
wrote: It's hard but possible, I paid £230 for my current run about ok it's 20 years old but it's strait relatively low mileage came with 6 months tax and 12 months MOT and still feels good for another 20 years. Ideal when I don't want to take my main car to a dodgy area or it's off the road having work done to it. I bought a "C"reg Rover 266 EFI VP of a dealer two months ago 70,000 gen miles for 220.00 you cannot tell apart from the milage that the car didn't come out of a showroom it can only be discribed as immaculate inside and out . One owner from new who is now 76 years of age the car has been nursed and waited on hand and foot in fact the darn thing is toooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo good for what little milage I do 38 in the passed week but the price was more than right . Grant . |
Britains Crap Roads, Answers wanted
JohnB wrote:
PeterE wrote: A standard class return from Manchester to London is £175 now, you know. So what. It's extremely expensive, that's what. Yep. And I don't think very many would pay that. I doubt if I would. Many train fares are ridiculously high. Indeed, probably because of the basic unviability of the railways. Are you really trying to say car hire, for two people, is dearer than that? Are you sane? Can you get from Manchester to London return same day in a hire car for less than £20? Well? Can you? No, but I didn't suggest that. Can two people get from Manchester to London and back by train in a day for less than the cost of hire car plus petrol? So how much is that? Well, for two people by train it's £350. I'm not totally up on the cost of hire cars, but it's certainly well below that. A quick websearch suggests that a Focus-size car could be hired for around £30-35 a day during the week. BTW yes I am snipping out your attempts to sidestep the point that many people have moved on from believing there are no alternatives to the ownership of a private car. Seems you have a problem that some people make that choice. Most odd. Obviously it's your right to make that choice, and I know several people who do the same. Most people have moved on, and choose otherwise, though. Most odd. -- http://www.speedlimit.org.uk "If laws are to be respected, they must be worthy of respect." |
Britains Crap Roads, Answers wanted
JohnB ) wrote:
PeterE wrote: A standard class return from Manchester to London is £175 now, you know. So what. Exactly. Soince no-one sensible would even think of paying that much - per person - for such a journey, so what? |
Britains Crap Roads, Answers wanted
"Huge" wrote in message ... "AstraVanMan" writes: [14 lines snipped] Talking of which, that gives me a strangely good idea on how to make a few extra quid - anyone know if parking meters can be privately run? Unlikely. The State normally reserves extortion for itself. Ummm - if you own the land, you can charge for parking on it (all other rules and regs being complied with, such as planning permission). So AFAICS, you can charge by installing your own parking meters. Sarfampt'n council sold a lot off a couple of years ago. |
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On Sun, 12 Oct 2003 01:49:27 +0100, Conor Turton wrote:
In article , says... The fare from my local station in Hampshire to London, 2 adults 4 children is £51.50. How can I get to Paris for less? Easyjet. Taxes are over £50 for 6 people, even one way and without the tickets, and easyjet aren't illegally subsidised like ryanair so cant get away with 99p tickets. |
Britains Crap Roads, Answers wanted
On Sun, 12 Oct 2003 01:57:12 +0100, Conor Turton wrote:
In article , says... That's not bad. Unfortunately it would cost me and the family £80 return for the fare to Stansted (4 hour-ish journey) plus the trouble of crossing London. Should've used a car... To stansted? And risk getting trapped on the M11 in massive 4" snow drifts? :) |
Britains Crap Roads, Answers wanted
That's not bad.
Unfortunately it would cost me and the family £80 return for the fare to Stansted (4 hour-ish journey) plus the trouble of crossing London. Should've used a car... To stansted? And risk getting trapped on the M11 in massive 4" snow drifts? :) M11? Why use that? From Hampshire, go up the M3/M25, round to J21A, up the A405/A414 (or off at J22 and through Colney Heath, and out onto the A414, cutting off all the roundabouts but one), then A1(M) for one junction, and then A414/A10/A120. Cuts off that PITA section on the M25 past the lane drop at the A10 junction. Don't know if it'd be much quicker on a clear run, but I doubt there'd be much in it. There are a few roadworks on the A10 around that section at the moment though. FWIW I never use the M11 going to Norwich from anywhere West of the M25 - I always head up to the A1(M) as above, and then up through Baldock, and along the A505. Much nicer drive, and very little in it, even assuming clear traffic on the M25/M11. Peter |
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