Boris acts to reduce A2 congestion

[Osem]

http://www.newsshopper.co.uk/display...321457.0.0.php

An outbreak of common sense at City Hall?? Red Ken will be turning in his radio studio.........

He took a very dim view of the sort of biased media coverage he claimed he was the target of so I wonder whether he'll use his new platform to the same ends.....

Seems to me a non londoner that boris isn't quite the disaster so far some had predicted and actually he seems to be doing a reasonable job.

[Osem]

Well it's still very early days yet so the jury's still out as far as I'm concerned.

One of Boris' most endearing features, however, is that he isn't Ken Livingstone and that's a very good start.....

[BBKing]

Seems to me a non londoner that boris isn't quite the disaster so far some had predicted and actually he seems to be doing a reasonable job.

And your evidence for this is...

One of Boris' most endearing features, however, is that he isn't Ken Livingstone and that's a very good start.....

Well, as long as you're taking it seriously and examining the actual issues, that's OK, Osem. If you notice, James Cleverly (whom they can't spell right, but I've actually had dinner with, as it happens) doesn't actually say all signed, sealed and delivered, and I'll be interested in the legal aspects (presumably indemnifying the people operating the tidal flow against lawsuits). If someone dies in a head-on crash in the tunnel and the police get sued, who pays?

[Osem]

Originally Posted by BBKing

Well, as long as you're taking it seriously and examining the actual issues, that's OK, Osem. If you notice, James Cleverly (whom they can't spell right, but I've actually had dinner with, as it happens) doesn't actually say all signed, sealed and delivered, and I'll be interested in the legal aspects (presumably indemnifying the people operating the tidal flow against lawsuits). If someone dies in a head-on crash in the tunnel and the police get sued, who pays?

Yes, taking it all very seriously thanks which is why I didn't claim it was a fait accompli.

As to who pays in the event of an accident.... well their insurers presumably? Accidents happen all the time, I wonder how many have been caused by closing the contraflow and causing all that unnecessary mayhem on the A2 and thereabouts? Who pays when there are contraflows on other major routes and accidents result? I really can't see how operating this part time provision is particularly dangerous especially if speed limits in the tunnel are set low and properly enforced.

[BBKing]

Erm, the insurers are perfectly capable of suing someone else in turn. That's what would happen if you ran into my car, my insurers would seek compensation from yours. In this case, the insurers of anyone injured by an accident caused by tidal flow might sue the person who caused it but their insurers in turn might also seek recompense from the authorities running the tunnel.

I've found the Met Police's take on things, and also found that it was actually the police who decided to stop supporting tidal flow, so you can cut out the Ken bashing and take aim at the boys in blue.

Detective Superintendent Glyn Jones from the Metropolitan Police Service's Traffic Command Unit said: 'The Metropolitan Police Service is committed to working together with partners to make London the safest city in the world.

'This applies not only to issues connected with the fear of crime but equally to the safety of roads users.

'We have a continuing commitment to reducing injuries and fatalities due to road traffic collisions.

'Our monitoring of the behaviour of tunnel traffic has led us to the conclusion, agreed with TfL, that the tidal flow should cease.'

while TfL's own Surface Advisory Panel minutes reveal:

Blackwall Tunnel
At a meeting on 5 April, the Metropolitan Police informed TfL of their intention to withdraw support for the Blackwall Tunnel tidal flow system with immediate effect. It was agreed to moderate this to a two week notice period, with the last tidal flow to occur on the morning of 20 April. A Mayoral press statement to this effect was issued on 18 April.

In the event, for operational reasons, the Metropolitan Police chose not to implement Blackwall Tunnel tidal flow arrangements on the mornings of 18-20 April. This followed a collision injury to a motorcyclist overtaking in the southbound tunnel contra-flow on the morning of 17 April

So one presumes the Met are perfectly happy about this new plan, then, as apparently we've all become much better drivers in the last year?

I really can't see how operating this part time provision is particularly dangerous especially if speed limits in the tunnel are set low and properly enforced.

Speed cameras in the tunnel (or more accurately illegal overtaking cameras, since it's people overtaking and risking head-on collisions that are the issue) would seem to be an option, but I didn't think speed cameras were too popular on here, from past experience. The decision to stop tidal flow was apparently made based on CCTV evidence.

http://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/medi...hive/4910.aspx

It's interesting that you can impose arbitrary restrictions on people travelling by tube, but restrictions on car drivers are apparently such an outrage that it results in temporary blindness and inability to find out the truth about the story *makes note*.

[Ramrod]

Well I'm happy he's trying to ease congestion in my neck of the woods

[Osem]

Originally Posted by BBKing

Erm, the insurers are perfectly capable of suing someone else in turn.....

blah blah blah........ zzzzzzzzzzzzz

I've found the Met Police's take on things, and also found that it was actually the police who decided to stop supporting tidal flow, so you can cut out the Ken bashing and take aim at the boys in blue.
.

Yawn.... BBKing, why use a dozen words when several hundred will do eh??

There is some intelligent life outside Chiswick you know and I do understand the basics of insurance, litigation, liability etc. Suing really isn't difficult BTW - being successful at it is much harder.

Who said that it was Red Ken's sole, spiteful and/or irrational decision to close the tidal flow? Was it me? If you actually bother to read the article I linked to you will see a clear reference to the police's stance and the safety concerns.

As for Red Ken bashing, well although I really didn't think I was indulging myself on this occasion, I don't need a patronising, verbose, twerp to tell me what to do thanks so if it's all the same to you I'll bash Red Ken and whoever else I like, whenever I like.

[SMG]

Well I`m rooting for Boris.

[BBKing]

We also accept the assertions from TfL and the MPS that the decision was made purely on the grounds of safety. Furthermore, we received no convincing evidence to support speculation that the cessation of the tidal flow was part of a deliberate plan to increase congestion and justify the extension of some form of road pricing. TfL emphatically rejected such speculation in its evidence to the Committee.

That's the London Assembly Transport Committee's view on the subject. Their main criticism was lack of notice and consultation by TfL.

Osem - consider yourself reported for an unpleasant ad hominem attack. If there's intelligent life round your way I suggest you demonstrate it in a more grown up manner.

[alferret]

I think its great to see some positive action taken by Boris.
Even though I now live & work in the Midlands I used to live and work in and around Londinium and if I had the opportunity Boris would get my X in the box.

You can please some of the people all of the time, you can please all of the people some of the time, but you can't please all of the people all of the time.

[Russ]

This is a 'friendly' warning - if any more personal insults get thrown about in this thread then I'll be dishing out infractions like sweets.

[Osem]

Originally Posted by BBKing

That's the London Assembly Transport Committee's view on the subject. Their main criticism was lack of notice and consultation by TfL.

Osem - consider yourself reported for an unpleasant ad hominem attack. If there's intelligent life round your way I suggest you demonstrate it in a more grown up manner.

Perhaps when you stop treating so many people around here like silly little school children you'll get some respect.

One place I worked had a rest room which overlooked the southern exit/entrance to the Blackwall Tunnel - back then that factory was the 'malty' smell you got when emerging from the tunnel, travelling south

- watching motorway traffic late at night can be very soothing ....

[Osem]

Originally Posted by homealone

One place I worked had a rest room that overlooked the southern exit/entrance to the Blackwall Tunnel - back then that factory was the 'malty' smell you got when emerging from the tunnel, travelling south

- watching motorway traffic late at night can be very soothing ....

Blimey that brings back memories Where did that smell come from anyway??