Your views: Will the T-Charge address London’s pollution?

I would restrict access to non-essential vehicles, certainly at peak times. However, this would mean providing alternative convenient access to a town or city; decent public transport, electric bikes and electric cars from park and rides for example.

Disabled, maybe concessionary passes for those who cannot access public transport easily. It is not a short-term fix of course. I’d hope that at parts of the day the restricted access could be relaxed when there is no congestion.Delivery vehicles could be restricted to these times.

Not sure I entirely agree with the sentiment that “simply raising revenue from the wealthier drivers is no answer.”. It depends on how much you raise it, surely? But the simple fact is that “Modern diesel cars produce 10 times more toxic air pollution than heavy trucks and buses”, so that tends to support the idea of limiting vehicular access at certain times.

But Alfa’s observation is, I think, the most relevant: prevailing winds in the UK are SW, so Heathrow’s toxicity is being blown across the capital almost every day.

It will take a leap of almost unimaginable courage, but at some point I suspect that all petrol and diesel vehicles will have to be banned, perhaps monorails introduced to deal with short stop transport needs and something done about airports generally.

We surely want to reduce pollution, not allow drivers to continue polluting but charge them money for the privilege?

I agree, of course. I was simply wondering about how high the charge would have to get to force them to change engine type…

The problem with this whole debate is that the proverbial cart before the horse applies. Unless there is an efficient and cheap public transport system people who have to drive through or into London will be forced to use their cars. Other large towns should provide park and ride facilities. Town planners should refuse planning permission for large
new home developments unless adequate parking is provided on the outskirts together with plenty of plug-in facilities for electric cars.
Having been persuaded to opt for diesel cars it is not realistic to expect diesel vehicle owners to change to electric overnight!

I understand the points, Vynor, but I did suggest restrictions at the normally-congested times when pollution is worst. Those who live in town could be encouraged to have electric or hybrid cars that would not be restricted. Shops could be encouraged to deliver to park and ride collection points, maybe collectively. Yes, it will require thought, developing alternatives, but if we do nothing other than collect money from polluters, I don’t see it going anywhere.

Restrict ALL transport in London to either horse drawn vehicles or bicycles and teach people how to walk again as some have forgotten they once could and even did

Thinking about some of the points you make, Vynor, I suspect that if traffic were to be almost permanently banned from – say, London’s city centre, then it would probably merely accelerate the trend towards the larger shops already offering home delivery, while new delivery companies might well spring up to service multiple smaller outlets, so I’m unsure how much shopping in person would be damaged by the restrictions. It could actually work the other way around, by encouraging more people into the centre, because they would know it could be a far more pleasant shopping experience in general.

The point about parking at the hotel, however, is an interesting one. The nearest large town to us is Llandudno, which is based almost entirely on tourism. Since the town and almost all the hotels were built in the 19thC there’s very little in the way of parking at all. But it barely impacts on the thriving tourism. I do accept, however, that things would be different in a city centre, where many business users would need accommodation.

Just on a historical note horses were a major problem in 19th Century cities in terms of horseshi and inconveniently dying in the roadways.

Bicycles vould be made very convenient if they were given entire roads. In Holland they do have a range of pedal powered vehicles for deliveries, families and shopping. Density of parking cycles would be much higher than vehicles and with adequate truly secure parking it could be a cheap option.

I should also mention that rain ponchos for cycle riders and even canopies are all possible. The use of electric powerpacks may allow for pedal-taxis tobe an economic option. Logically cheaper than cars.

Which? last reviewd cycles in 2007 I think. The consumer charities in France . Holland and Germany, all with similar climates to the UK, review frequently particularly given the arrival of electric bikes.

” 27% of all trips in the Netherlands are taken by bike, but the safe, continuous, convenient bike routes used by all kinds of people for everyday journeys – and which made my Dutch experience such a relaxing one. “

Holland is rather flatter than much of the UK. Some people would struggle. Maybe electric bikes or trikes with an awning?

You are right about pre-petrol transport days. I don’t remember, but am told that with huge numbers of short-lived horses. pollution and disease were rife in many cities – piles of horsh, thousands of gallons of urine, cubic kilometres of methane, and the dead…… Flies to spread disease……plus all the smoking coal fires from overcrowded housing and factories. Those dying of breathing problems in our big towns and cities have never had it so good 🙁

http://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/HistoryofBritain/Great-Horse-Manure-Crisis-of-1894/

Restrict polluting traffic at peak times to cut down one source of pollution.

Much as we’d miss you, I’d go back to the stix, Alex 🙂 Why put up with the pollution? Or you could start a campaign for Which? to move out of Marylebone and find a nice country location. Why should most of them have to be in London? The CEO has opted out – follow my leader.

“The maker of the London black cab has unveiled the new, electric design of the car, which will hit the capital’s roads in November and which it hopes to sell to pollution-blighted cities worldwide.

Chris Gubbey, the chief executive of the firm, which was bought by Chinese automotive giant Geely in 2013, said he expected older diesel models would soon face a ban from politicians and regulators concerned about air quality.”

They also propose a small electric van for local deliveries.

I think regular electric public transport is a better bet for most. Taxis usually take single passengers and are not cheap to hire.

I agree about using electric public transport rather than taxis, Malcolm. I know some people who are reluctant to take a bus, but free bus passes have helped change their minds.

Taxis are useful for disabled people, who may be unsteady on their feet. They are ideal for those who have to transport a wheelchair or scooter.

AGM – Devon might be nice and convenient for a few? 🙂 Perhaps Bristol outskirts more sensible.
On emissions, I wonder how much CO₂ and NOx pollution is cause by gas and oil-fired heating boilers, particularly older gas versions?

Bristol would be fine : ) As would other cities such as Cardiff, Newcastle, Birmingham, Manchester, Edinburgh etc.

Amazingly despite the cry that the majority live in the South East only just over 100 turn up each year. Someone was sufficiently aggrieved to travel from the Lake District to complain about the obscene pay last year or the year before.

I suspect if the AGM was in their neck of the woods every few year members might be more likely to attend. The question is will Council ever recruit more OM’s or let the shareholders “die” out.

In which case who complains about the excessive salaries and other failings? Anyway hopefully the new Council will put forward some decent action plans.

Patrick, this is off-topic. Can you please add any off-topic comments to The Lobby – that’s what it’s there for 🙂 thanks