malumbu

Surely you are not that naive, most politicians put a positive spin when speaking in the public. How have you stopped the small boats? This government has a record investment in surveillance of the English Chanel. But has it stopped the small boats? So ULEZ is good for London. That will do me.

Fortunately this forum is very helpful in pointing out consultations. Thanks for this. I don't need to be told by any group to respond, I am not a number I am a free human.

It has improved air quality, it's ludicrous to say otherwise. The three phases of ULEZ have reduced the number of, and mileage of, older polluting cars. Unless they travel around London, and in this case it is the home counties' problem, then there is nowhere for older more polluting cars to go without paying, unless they are a minority of those obsessed with short journeys that miss out any of the numerous ULEZ cameras. Can you not just agree that in principle it is a good concept.

That's worrying, who are these activists? Why have they come to our part of SE London? Unlike me I bet they don't even know the roads affected, use the shops, the 176/185/P13, drink in the Castle, occasionally go to DHFC (much more in the past). Out of interest who amongst us actually live on Melbourne Road? I'm a mile or so away but it was once one of my commuting routes and I now use it when over at TJ.

As in my earlier post I can't be assed to read the report but with a reduction of older polluting vehicles this has to be good for those living on the South Circular as this was formerly a boundary road. I couldn't give a fig about the outer boroughs, were they to introduce 20mph on all residential roads and provide more infrastructure for cycling I may think differently.

Ah, good reminder to post about that cycle lane. It's as much as narrowing the road to deter speeding, to pretty good effect. Rather than criticise I'd congratulate Southwark for some joined up thinking. What is your problem with that, surely there must be something you like about Southwark. As a cyclist do you not welcome safer cycle routes?

Yes it is right to discourage unnecessary journeys and smarter use of vehicles. Suggesting that the authorities make road repairs and improvements longer is conspiracy theory territory.

So you are saying every Mayor of London, the Heads of GLC, London County Council and whatever predated that all hate South London? Really? You are come over a little bitter. Have you used the new tube lines? London Overground (as was), Elizabeth line, Jubilee Line extension. The numerous new and enlarged stations in South London? Extensive suburban train network?

Suggest you Ab and FM actually read what I said rather than automatically jump to the wrong conclusion. At no point did I infer that I knew better or was telling others what to do. That would be silly.

Odd post. London continues to be full of green and public space. Labour kicked off the creation of a massive new park with revived and cleaner waterways in East London. Perhaps a mountain hut in Montana off grid may be more suitable for your needs, running water, timber, deer, a lifetimes supply of shotgun pellets, and hunting knives will do you fine.

How do you judge London as being filthy? Have you been to Manilla, Jakarta, Mexico City, Paris, in the height of summer? All relative but London's air is far cleaners than recent decades, as industry has all but gone and emissions far less polluted. Makes me wonder why you live in this dirty city.

Thanks for the positive, or dare I say constructive (!) post. Others feel they know better than the professionals. Surely there are other things to occupy your time? Whoops, and mine too 😁

Yes, no issues with more blue badge parking. The issue I have is able people using those with a mobility issues as an argument for keeping the status quo.

I'm not, but just making the point that driving on a blue badge is not the only way those who have walking issues can maintain their mobility. As March points out there are adapted bikes and wheels for wellbeing do a wonderful job in giving an experience of the different options. And mobility scooters. I have no idea which is the most suitable option for an individual. Maybe more than one.

I'm sure they take calls, TfL is a bit old school. Register your vehicle for automatic payment should a similar thing happen in the future. I got caught on Xmas eve ten years ago stupidly thinking it was the holiday period. Only time time I've ever driven through it during the charging period. You can go through E and C if you stay in the ring road but it's a bit convoluted. As others will know from threads elsewhere I usually take public transport or cycle but that is not relevant to your question.

Dunno why people can't be civil rather than aggressive/ passive aggressive. Dunno why you are now stirring things. Petty insults aren't helpful to a grown up debate.

There was a brief discussion on the Lounge about the good old days of the Forum and the drinks where people with differing views seemed to get on fine with each other. Can't find it or I would give you the link @Earl Aelfheah or @Sephiroth I think one of you had said something along these lines. Yes go for it Sue!

There are things people moan about, and at the same time things people should campaign for. I've said so many times it is a shame with so much energy going into anti this, anti that, and anti the other time could be better spent. You've identified a good cause. Go for it, I will happily support if I am permitted.

Rude

Canada has been a go to place for dental treatment for a long time for those in the 'States without medical insurance.

I referred to commuting. Not those who have to drive in the course of their work. And if the businesses have to pay to park? Again, so what? All businesses operating in central London have had to pay to drive unless electric. Huge swathes of London, and every city, have parking restrictions. Not sure why you are fighting the battles of others.

I really need to do a tour of Tooting South Indian/Sri Lankan restaurants. There used to be a SE22 curry club, think this folded before COVID. Perhaps @Suewe can start a Tooting curry club. And share our tadpoles stories at the same time. Need to check that they survived the frost.

Oh come on, most people commute by public transport. You are just making excuses. If it takes longer to drive or to use public transport, so what. It may be annoying but that is life. I'm sure most of us have jobs where the commute is easier, and other jobs where it has been a pain. I expect an hour is very much the norm door to door for most of us living in London. What is the law? As far as I understand local authorities have the power and are subject to non-statutory guidance. Ultimately decisions can be challenged through judicial review. Most governments let local authorities get on with it. Only Sunak, in desperation, appealed to the petrol heads and that got him nowhere. Thankfully his motorists' charter was disposed of when he was deposed. Until then governments of both colour had been going loosely in the right direction with regards to sustainable and active travel, certainly from Blair onwards.

Recommend Dosa n Chutney in Tooting and Rikshaw in Gypsy Hill for dosas. The latter a few mins away by train from East Dulwich station. Karnataka has great food but rather a long way to go plus all those carbon air miles. Reminds me of some American students in London who would take it in turn to fly back to Chicago or somewhere like that to bring pizzas back. https://dosanchutney.uk/ https://rikshawrestaurant.com/ My word, free reviews without having to sign up and pay for my food blog. Crispy Dosa is the chain, not that local though.

OK, it's late so I will try and summarise 1. It's going to take much longer than originally planned to turn the fleet electric. Covid/financial crisis hasn't helped but much of the blame on manufacturers for dragging their feet and supersizing their vehicles (Audi, JLR, Mercdedes, Volvo and others) rather than promoting smaller more efficient vehicles 2. Replacing conventional vehicles with EVs means we still have congested roads, EV is part of the solution, using vehicles less and smarter and moving to more sustainable forms of transport the other part of the equation 3. You have to produce electricity and we are far from making this fully sustainable 4. Embedded carbon in vehicle manufacture, the larger the bigger the carbon footprint, particularly as utility of our fleet is getting lower. So no, on its own, it is not the answer