The following is a letter / email from a Rescue London supporter to selected opinion leaders, movers & shakers in the public and private sectors.
Subject: Why the Congestion Charge should be abolished and what the solutions should be to managing congestion and getting London on track again.
In a small way we are continuing to add a voice to the need for change over
the management of congestion and public and private transport. We will much appreciate comments and supports in advice or financial terms from those who visit our site and believe in our aims for London.
We have finally set up an embryo web site http://www.rescuelondon.org.uk and would much appreciate you finding time in your busy schedule to visit
it, and to give us your public and private views on it ; respectively via
your views at the site that go to the archive, and any private comments you
like to make to our email address here, or by telephone.
On our site you will find a letter from Rescue London, published in the
Evening Standard of 4 the August, asking the important question of how we can
get rid of Ken Livingstone. You will notice some harsh criticism of the
GLA's abilities in steering Mr. Livingstone into sensible policies .This isn’t
to be seen as destructive criticism, but an acknowledgement that,despite
the many successes in raising issues over Mr. Livingstone 's policies, he is
still riding rough shod over the wider economy of London, and doing
long-term damage, while , with taxpayer's money ,publicising himself and his "successes" , with blatant disregard for the facts.
We learn that a previous Mayor of Paris was removed from office on charges
of harming the economy of the city. Mr. Livingstone keeps talking of growth
in London , and discounting any of the myriad claims that we all suffer from
his transport and Congestion Charge policies; but any such growth ignores
the considerable extra growth that would have been, but for so many of his
policies. Quite apart from his usually insulting pronouncements over a range
of individuals on the world stage and others, that bring London and his
office into disrepute, and harm London's image.
The financial and banking sectors run of "success" and extra activity and
the growth economies of the Far East are a large part of growth here in the
past three or four years, and this is hiding a lot of the negatives still.
These facts need to be brought to the attention of a wider public too, and
this will encourage some valid skepticism over Mr. Livingstone’s claim to
fame.and success
In addition to criticizing current policies we do put forward several
radical ideas as to what is needed, and why and suggestions as to what
change is necessary and how it could be encouraged.
We at Rescue London can not have an allegiance to any party; we must only pursue, with some doggedness, the single issue matters we feel are holding
London back, reducing consumer choice in every way, and harming the economy
and way of life.
We also, through our interventions and media coverage, want to encourage
more of the electorate to embrace the political process and understand that
they do have a voice and a responsibility, and can be a force for change,
despite their growing cynicism for the process at national and local level.
We also want to educate the public to the fact that Mr. Livingstone is not
the popular chappie that he has, with our money and his gesture politics
to minorities, made him self out to be.
How many people know that he only got 13% of the electorate voting for him
in both mayorial elections.
We also want to encourage a belief in radical ideas, and the encouragement to
take action, anathema to those who in power want to keep us subdued or
overtaxed and so struggling to look after our families and make ends meet
that we have no time for such thoughts.We want to bring to the attention of those who are in favour of the
Congestion Charge scheme. Or who give it only a passing thought, to think
about the long-term effects of Congestion Charging, and road pricing taxes,
and the attrition of choice that is the consequence.
Maybe with your contacts and range of responsibilities you know of technical
and professional bodies who we could ask for their views on what radical
ideas and projects could work for London in many fields allied to getting
consumers and producers together efficiently and more easily sure we should all press for more public transport use, and more pedal
power, and alternative energy source generation, but at best these can only
be part of the answer. Studies into merits or otherwise of bus lanes and their possible replacement by narrower cycle lanes need to be under taken.The Vauxhall bridge road layout is a disaster and needs a re-planning, as do several pedestrianizations and more under and over passes for road and pedestrian traffic are needed.
A less anti-car outlook must be high on the agenda. A
public transport system, allied to more car-friendly policies can only help
all of us, and the economy, such growth allowing lower rates of taxation and
a virtuous circle. Instead of the spiral in the opposite direction that
current transport policies cause.
Please let us have your views
many thanks
John Macnab
for Rescue London
tel/text/voice mail 07977 001675 anytime |
