The UKs roads: 2022ff

[whole diary]

[Mark A]

Since the various lockdowns, journeys by road feel as though they're far more subject to extended journey times owing to congestion - or wildly extended journey times owing to disruption caused by 'Accidents'.

Wishing the rail industry was in a position to take advantage of this but... not for the time being it seems.

It would be informative to hear of others' impression of road travel in the last few years. The most recent impression is that locally, the ending of tolls on the Severn Bridges may have helped with costs but not so much with the resulting increase in people travelling by car. The sight of the M48 Severn Bridge last night at five-ish patiently bearing a static load of west-bound traffic jam complete with HGVs made me feel for the suspension cables. Hopefully the microphones with which the cables may be rigged do not record too many strange noises from within them.

Mark

[CyclingSid]

From a cyclist's point of view drivers appear to be more stressed and less tolerant (polite view).

[Chris from Nailsea]

My views, as a recently retired grocery delivery van driver for the past ten years:

Cyclists I always made way for - I used to cycle in to work, in a previous job in Bristol, so I know what it's like.  They were generally appreciative of the courtesy.

Equestrians I also made way for - my large van, with colourful vinyls, might otherwise have spooked the horse.

Buses and HGVs I always made way for - I learned early on how much room they need just to turn a corner, for example.

Car drivers?  Well, they're a bit of a law unto themselves.  I tended to let them do, whatever they wanted to do, in front of my van - just so I kept out of their way.