fabfor

Hi folks, the time for retirement has come. I've delayed making this announcement but selling my trusty Transit last Saturday has made it final.

I've been a Civil Servant, Electronics Technician, Technical adviser, Telephone Engineer, Stallholder, Laboratory Technician, Caretaker, Handyman/Builder among others but this has been the most enjoyable work by far. It made me feel useful and, with literally a handful of exceptions over more than 10 years, it has brought me into contact with people in an atmosphere of friendship - especially my Edf customers. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Love always, Frank.

From Hacan:

A PLAN TO END EXPANSION ALTOGETHER

Innovative tax plan boosts campaign against expansion

An innovative plan to replace Air Passenger Duty with a variable levy based on the number of flights taken each year would remove the need for airport expansion altogether.

HACAN is among a coalition of campaign organisations, environmentalists and trade unions calling for a new approach to taxation around flights which would prove both equitable and fair.

Revealed in the final countdown to the publication of the Airports Commission?s recommendation on airport expansion in the south east, the tax plan aims to reduce the numbers of flights taken by a minority of the population ? while allowing ordinary families a tax-free flight each year.

Writing in the Observer, campaigners said: ?Contrary to aviation lobby rhetoric, a new runway is not needed to allow more international business flights, which have been declining steadily since the turn of the century.

?The hub airport argument is a smokescreen. In reality, growing demand for air travel is concentrated in the short-haul leisure sector and among a small, wealthy minority of the population. It is more of these flights that a new runway will in practice service.?

Read an in-depth report into the proposals here: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jun/20/frequent-flyer-tax-leisure-airfares

Half of the UK population do not fly at all in any given year ? and 15% of the UK population take 70% of all our flights

The frequent flyer levy would come into effect on the second flight during each tax year, and increase proportionally with each flight taken thereafter.

Meanwhile, opposition to proposed expansion at Heathrow continues in the run up to the Commission?s recommendation.

Hi folks, I'm up and running! Charges remain the same (?25/hr local etc). I'm also keeping the ?15 single item EDF special (you'll need to ask for it though :-) )

Enquiries: 07956 650744 (WhatsApp too); [email protected]. Thanks, Frank.

James reports problems with his website and phone line and is now on holiday until the new year. Sorry but theres no one else whose service I've experience of and whom I can personally recommend for the interim.:-(

Sorry about that, newgirl. I've emailed James and asked him to respond to your query on this thread. Thanks, Frank.

It's hibernation time again! I'll be back at work in the spring but, in the meantime, I recommend James for all removal enquiries. He's at lgvanman.com or on 02078713030.

A big "Thank You" to all my customers, old and new.:-)

Reply send by PM.

I'm finally back. Keeping the same low rates:?25/hr local, ?30/hr further afield and West End. I'm also retaining the ?15 single item quick drop. Please call for details. Thanks. Frank. 07956 650744.

Hi Kelly, thanks for your enquiry. I'm on my winter break but please try James on 02078713030 or online at http://lgvanman.com.

Thanks, Frank.

A special gesture of thanks to the management and volunteers of the forum, without whose dedication we would not have this wonderful resource. Thanks guys and gals! (And please donate if you can).

I'm escaping the winter again but can recommend James from lgvanman.com,: http://lgvanman.com . He's truly excellent but try to book early, if you can.

A big Thank You and Best Wishes to all the lovely Forum members it's been my pleasure to meet, Frank.

(I've edited this because James number appears to be out of action).

Heathrow overvalued by ?86bn

Buried government figures reveal benefit to economy was vastly exaggerated

Graeme Paton, Transport Correspondent | Alistair Osborne

October 27 2016, 12:01am, The Times

Building an extra runway at Gatwick airport would bring similar benefits to expanding Heathrow

GETTY IMAGES

The economic benefits of expanding Heathrow airport were overstated by up to ?86 billion, buried government figures reveal.

Building an extra runway at Gatwick airport would bring virtually the same benefits to the nation as expanding Heathrow, the figures suggest.

Questions were raised over Theresa May?s endorsement of Heathrow after a Department for Transport report more than halved previous estimates for the size of the economic boost to be provided by Heathrow over 60 years.

The government analysis indicated that expanding Gatwick would yield ?54 billion in economic benefits ? marginally less than the ?61 billion attributed to Heathrow ? ...

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/08/27/cabinet-critics-will-not-quit-over-heathrow-third-runway/

From HACAN East:

Government gives City permission to expand

July 27, 2016

The Government announced today that it had given London City Airport permission to expand. It endorsed the recommendation of the Inspector who heard evidence at a Public Inquiry held earlier this year.

City Airport will be allowed to build a taxiway and more parking spaces in order to accommodate the larger planes it wants to bring in. The terminal will also be expanded to cater for the increase in passenger numbers. And there will parking facilities built.

The Airport has been keen to get expansion because the larger planes will allow it to serve destinations like Moscow and Istanbul, further afield than most of its destinations are at present.

But residents will be hit hard. London City got permission from the Civil Aviation Authority to concentrate its flight paths earlier this year. Now those residents face the prospect of more, and larger, planes.

To read the Government decision: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/planning-applications-called-in-decisions-and-recovered-appeals

I'm happy to take last minute bookings (subject to availability). Please call me on 07956 650744.

Thanks, Frank (van&driver).

Thanks guys; appreciated. :-)

Friend from Germany yesterday: "No more planes? ". The garden feels so peaceful.

I've also noticed that it's much, much quieter near Peckham Rye Park. So nice.

Hi all, I'm back in leafy Dulwich and the van is up and running (with me not far behind ...).

Charges remain the same, including the ?15 local, single item edf special (time and other reasonable restrictions apply). Thanks, Frank. 07956 650744.

PS. Normal charges are as follows: My local rate (2 mile) is ?25 ph (or part hr), minimum 1 hr. For farther afield (+ Central London) it's ?30 ph, min. ? 60. (Loading help incl.) Helpers: ?15 ph (min. ?25).

Yes, thanks Saskia.

Signed. 695 of 800.

http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/jan/29/air-pollution-from-europes-planes-set-to-rise-by-nearly-half

I'm off to warmer climes and would like to take this opportunity to thank my edf customers, old and new, for being so helpful and friendly (and generous) throughout the year. Work has been amazingly positive this year; thank you.

I'll be back in May but should you need a man and van service in the interval, I highly recommend James from lgvanman.com, on 02078713030. He's truly excellent but try to book early, if you can.

Thanks again, Frank.

http://www.citymetric.com/politics/no-london-doesnt-need-another-runway-and-only-people-whod-benefit-own-airports-1734

Happy Christmas and a peaceful new year to all my customers. https://youtu.be/RvM9fErmGzc

New petition for Thames Hub airport:https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/115856/sponsors/ARlY2CT8UoImnpWf8CY