Drivers and their problems

Another "welcome to our world" to drivers from cyclists, difference here being that they seem to have made an arrest in relation to the theft of one crappy old Volvo. 

Police constable Kate Schofield, of the Dorset Rural Crime Team, said: “This has been a particularly distressing and inconvenient time for the victim, who has lost the use of their day-to-day vehicle.

https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/23862687.police-appeal-volvo-stol...

nice to see the Latest Comments feature  is back, over on the home page 

edit - 5 minutes later I look again and it's gone 

The worst day for Exeter commuter traffic (it's Wednesday)

Exeter has the nation’s second-largest travel-to-work population

Mr Knight acknowledged that different days of the week now offer distinct challenges to ensure sure buses are on time and not impacted by congestion.

He explained that keeping buses to schedule all week would require a bespoke timetable for each day, but stated that this was “impossible” operationally and is not something that the firm is considering, because passengers expect a Monday-to-Friday schedule, with different timetables at weekends.

interesting to hear a bit about the impact on buses of too many cars - another issue you have to deny if you're a car driver 

https://www.devonlive.com/news/devon-news/worst-day-exeter-commuter-traf...

Plans for car-free developments in Somerset town slammed by locals

"Improvements in roads, local transport, and walkways need to lead, not follow, restrictions on motor vehicles."

However, he said that transport improvements should precede any punitive restrictions on existing drivers. He said: "We suggest that the blunt ‘social engineering’ approach outlined in the principles is an example of ‘cart before horse’.

"Improvements in roads, local transport, and walkways need to lead, not follow, restrictions on motor vehicles. The reality for Shepton Mallet, especially for several roads at the centre of town, is that the current road infrastructure provides important access and has pinch points making walkways and cycle routes problematic if not impossible.

"In the short and medium term (alas), car access will remain essential for many people - think single mums with children. Longer term changes in the whole transport nexus and to the town's social and economic infrastructure may make more radical changes in walkways etc. more feasible."

we're going to have to bite the bullet of upsetting a driver somewhere, sometime Mr Thomas.  Not so much a slam, as the sound of the can being kicked down the road (and run over by an Audi). 

https://www.somersetlive.co.uk/news/somerset-news/plans-car-free-develop...

Man punched in the face by woman 'multiple times' in Gloucester road rage attack

https://www.itv.com/news/westcountry/2023-10-19/man-punched-in-the-face-...?

What cars do to people. 

Devon protestors plead 'don't kill our town'

"We have a once in a lifetime chance to make a transformational change"

https://www.devonlive.com/news/devon-news/devon-protestors-plead-dont-ki...

Major Exeter LTN U-turn allows taxis through road closures

https://www.devonlive.com/news/devon-news/major-exeter-ltn-u-turn-8843437

new and unused 

Tonbridge woman fined £100 by One Parking Solution while dropping off clothes to Mind charity

The housewife, who lives in Chiddingstone Causeway village near Tonbridge, was visiting the town’s high street store, to deliver some her mother-in-law’s clothes after she passed away.

After speaking to the manager Mel, Alana was told to park round the back of the shop to drop off the clothes.

“Mel is having a word with head office as I’m aware I’m not the only person this has happened to.”

https://www.kentonline.co.uk/malling/news/i-got-fined-100-for-doing-a-go...

Where did park when speaking to Mel? Anyway, the scene of the crime:

Exeter traders slam 'crazy' plans to build on city centre car park

The car is still king and there is nothing they can do about it, say baffled visitors to the city

Save the scruffy car park! There's several little gems in this fairly long read, but my favourite is Mr Car is King: "Always has been. People need their independence. To get rid of the parking spaces and tell people to use the bus is absurd because the buses are atrocious."

https://www.devonlive.com/news/devon-news/exeter-traders-slams-crazy-pla...

"2000" posts in Drivers and Their Problems.

The problems drivers create for others, the problems they (and only they) experience.  It’s all in here, people made self-centred and self-pitying by cars - the waves of hope, freedom and independence crashing against the rocks of traffic jams and parking charges. 

Self-pity because despite having so much of the world, its space and resource has been dedicated to them over the past few decades, some drivers are convinced they are an underdog, a war on cars. 

Self-centred because everything and everyone else is the problem, it’s never them. The road is narrow and icy, it’s flooded, cyclists and horse riders are using it, the car park is full. 

Cars breed still more cars as cars close down and suck the life out of all the alternatives. You can’t unsee it. 

File under W for 'wait til you hear about cars':

Letter: Dangerous e-scooters 'should be discontinued', Bath local says

"The new contract has not yet resulted in any improvement in eliminating the dangerous, thoughtless and anti-social abandonment of bikes"

https://www.somersetlive.co.uk/news/local-news/letter-dangerous-e-scoote...

Southampton residents up in arms over ‘chaotic’ roadworks

Genre classic - utterly deranged: 

“The cars have taken over the whole road, it’s just a car park now. It’s not pleasant.

“It’s part of the campaign against cars and drivers.”

Kevin added: “The council really need to come down here and look at it when it’s busy. It’s difficult for me to get home after work.

“I pick my grandson up and it’s heaving round here and dangerous.

“Cars are blocking the road and the pavement, so you can imagine the parents having to walk their children into the road.”

https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/23871032.southampton-residents-arms-cha...

so that's what happened to Saint and Greavsie:

the roads are not for your hobby:

Revving, donuts and people hanging onto car bonnets in Callington

Police are investigating anti-social behaviour and driving from the weekend

A group of at least ten people were involved, Callington Police said. It happened in the New Road carpark and along Southern Road during the evening of Sunday, October 22.

https://www.cornwalllive.com/news/cornwall-news/revving-donuts-people-ha...

Storm Babet: Upton car graveyard formed after floods

https://www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/23876559.storm-babet-upton-car-grav...

This is what happened next after van blocked Malvern path (towed away)

A VAN blocking a path has been seized by police in Malvern - and officers also found there was no tax or insurance in place on the vehicle after performing extra checks.

The van parked in Green Lane in the Priory area of Malvern was blocking the path so no pedestrians could use it.

https://www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/23879045.happened-next-van-blocked-...