I would really like to have given a few more updates this week, but I really don’t have enough time!
So just a quick note: I am going into town later to do some shopping. I am literally a two minute walk from the railway station and, for all my differences of opinion with left-wing environmentalists, I do care about the ability of this planet to support humanity. I therefore decided to get the train in.
But then I was reminded that I have to go over to Ditchling tonight — I may have time to come back but I may not. Once again the lack of a genuinely available public transport system has caused me to burn unnecessary carbon. It is the responsibility of all of us to do what we can to protect the environment, but some of “all” of us have more capabilities to do that. Central government needs to make strong, clear policy announcements on public transport, and especially the railways, in the South East generally, and in the countryside specifically.
There are clearly not enough tracks between Brighton and London (fast trains must go sufficiently after a so-called slow-train that it does not catch the other train up — how pointless is that?) and there are absolutely no tracks (or buses in most cases) between rural towns and villages in Sussex.
February 11th, 2008 at 11:16 pm
I’m not sure what time you were travelling to Ditchling, but according to Google, the 824 bus from Lewes and the Village Rider goes via Ditchling. You could also have chosen
to go to Hassocks by train and cycled the 2 miles to Ditchling.
I’m a little confused by your post, are you trying to justify using your car or suggesting we lay train tracks to every town and village within the South East?
Remember, since the Tories privatised the train and buses, I don’t think you’ll find the private companies will want to pay to put this infrastructure in place. Or are you suggesting that we privatise public transport? You’ll probably come back with some reason Labour should do more as an incentive, but I don’t think even you could argue that running a train to Ditchling would be profitable!!
Where possible, use public transport - you could have planned your day better to allow you to go into town and back by train and then drive. If you feel guilty, maybe you could use the train to go to work (but would you lose your mileage allowance?). Sorry Gavin, but don’t blame the Government for your choice to use your car. Where there isn’t an option to use public transport, use your car, providing it’s taxed and roadworthy its OK - don’t feel guilty!!