motch Posted June 27, 2013 Share Posted June 27, 2013 (edited) Plans to upgrade the A14. However a toll road could be put in place. Good thing or not? http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-23049482 Edited June 27, 2013 by motch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheCountOfNowhere Posted June 27, 2013 Share Posted June 27, 2013 Plans to upgrade the A14. However a toll road could be put in place. Good thing or not? A return to serfdom awaits Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timak Posted June 27, 2013 Share Posted June 27, 2013 Sit in a queue of traffic for 20 minutes to pay to use a road I could previously use for free. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zugzwang Posted June 27, 2013 Share Posted June 27, 2013 Plans to upgrade the A14. However a toll road could be put in place. Good thing or not? If it's anything like the M6toll it will be an unmitigated disaster, overpriced and unused. What was supposed to be the northern ring road around Birmingham carries less traffic today than when it opened in 2004. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bloo Loo Posted June 27, 2013 Share Posted June 27, 2013 No problem with a Toll Road...as long as the people collecting the tolls pay for the thing in its entirety, and its not someone collecting revenues via Vehicle Excise Duty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Knimbies who say No Posted June 27, 2013 Share Posted June 27, 2013 If it's anything like the M6toll it will be an unmitigated disaster, overpriced and unused. What was supposed to be the northern ring road around Birmingham carries less traffic today than when it opened in 2004. The screws are on, the M6 toll might get busier if this FT article is correct: "M6 Toll road’s owner offers free transit as part of deal on debt" Classic disaster, UK style. The numbers using it are crazy compared to the M6 through Birmingham, something like 4:1 overall and 9:1 with heavies. I'd have thought heavies might recoup the £11 pretty sharpish at busy times with extra fuel in stop start traffic, but obviously not. Harry, do you use the toll? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riedquat Posted June 27, 2013 Share Posted June 27, 2013 Upgrade the M14? Much needed, get on with it ASAP. Toll road? Completely stupid idea as the M6 Toll has starkly demonstrated. I've not checked the details but would it leave anyone not willing to be ripped off with an even worse alternative than the current A14? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
@contradevian Posted June 27, 2013 Share Posted June 27, 2013 (edited) A return to serfdom awaits But you can use the "secret" M1 -A1 link. A45 to Higham Ferrers, then down through Kimbolton to St Neots. Edited June 27, 2013 by Secure Tenant Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saving For a Space Ship Posted June 27, 2013 Share Posted June 27, 2013 I went through the Mersey Tunnel on my motorcycle the other day. Bikes are not charged a toll fee. I now have a Plan b business plan for a low cost bike taxi service A pillion passenger and I will wear fat suits to hide 2 more on board child size passengers, so travelling '4 up' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tin Foil Hat Posted June 27, 2013 Share Posted June 27, 2013 I've just looked at the live cameras and the M6T is empty. Like most UK businesses they priced it at the maximum they thought they could possibly squeeze out of people but we're all skint. Cocks the lot of em. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Spaniard Posted June 27, 2013 Share Posted June 27, 2013 I went through the Mersey Tunnel on my motorcycle the other day. Bikes are not charged a toll fee. I now have a Plan b business plan for a low cost bike taxi service A pillion passenger and I will wear fat suits to hide 2 more on board child size passengers, so travelling '4 up' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheCountOfNowhere Posted June 27, 2013 Share Posted June 27, 2013 I went through the Mersey Tunnel on my motorcycle the other day. Bikes are not charged a toll fee. I now have a Plan b business plan for a low cost bike taxi service A pillion passenger and I will wear fat suits to hide 2 more on board child size passengers, so travelling '4 up' TAXI !!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doomed Posted June 27, 2013 Share Posted June 27, 2013 Getting out of this shithole is looking better and better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ulfar Posted June 27, 2013 Share Posted June 27, 2013 Don't drivers pay road tax for this sort of thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
57percent Posted June 27, 2013 Share Posted June 27, 2013 Don't drivers pay road tax for this sort of thing. That's become more of a pollution tax. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cock-eyed octopus Posted June 27, 2013 Share Posted June 27, 2013 Could somebody enlighten me please: are they planning an additional road (a la M6T), or suggesting making the existing A14 into a toll road? Which would mean you have no choice but to pay a toll (or go back to 1950s B roads). If so, they're taking the piss. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Executive Sadman Posted June 27, 2013 Share Posted June 27, 2013 Could somebody enlighten me please: are they planning an additional road (a la M6T), or suggesting making the existing A14 into a toll road? Which would mean you have no choice but to pay a toll (or go back to 1950s B roads). If so, they're taking the piss. I think it means they keep the old one (4-lane dual carriageway, although they talk about removing the bit around Huntingdon because its too close and noisy for the town centre - cant say ive ever noticed - and the overpass is detiriorating) but add a new 6-lane road all the way from Milton to the A1M. Personally, i think its too much. Just adding a 3rd lane in either direction between Huntingdon and Cambridge would increase capacity by 50% and cost about a 10th of the price. Its not about that really though, its to make privatization more practical on a road by road basis when that day finally comes in the not too distant future. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattW Posted June 27, 2013 Share Posted June 27, 2013 I pay my road fund licence - why are they asking me (and millions others) to pay once again to use the sodding roads. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Executive Sadman Posted June 27, 2013 Share Posted June 27, 2013 I pay my road fund licence - why are they asking me (and millions others) to pay once again to use the sodding roads. So they can get their share to pay for whatever crap they pay for, then also sell the roads and get a few hundred billion to fund pensions for another couple of years. Not just roads, my local council is trying to sell hundreds of bits of land to fill their own pensions holes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snugglybear Posted June 27, 2013 Share Posted June 27, 2013 There hasn't been an earmarked, ring-fenced road tax since 1937. There's a duty on some vehicles.The money from that duty goes into the general tax pot. Roads are paid for from the national and local tax pots and therefore compete for funds with everything else paid for from national and local taxes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Knimbies who say No Posted June 27, 2013 Share Posted June 27, 2013 There hasn't been an earmarked, ring-fenced road tax since 1937. There's a duty on some vehicles.The money from that duty goes into the general tax pot. Roads are paid for from the national and local tax pots and therefore compete for funds with everything else paid for from national and local taxes. It's true, but it might be nice if the roads were maintained as a priority. But the more parts that need replaced on a car as a result of crap roads also generates VAT income for Government, and income taxes from those employed in the fitting of replacement parts and carrying out repairs. I don't doubt some cars are also replaced earlier as a result of non-economic repair work being required earlier in their lifetimes, triggering more VAT payments. Some roads are truly atrocious, necessitating weaving around the lane just to avoid putting a wheel in a hole, whether you are on four wheels or two. It's crazy to have roads like that, some of which are on Primary routes, not some backwater used by ten cars a day. I've met people who are delighted with the crap state of the roads, and wish it to continue as a means of showing their contempt for motorists. It's not a mainstream view, but I wouldn't be surprised if more than a few of those in Westminster shared a similar outlook. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tc9604 Posted June 27, 2013 Share Posted June 27, 2013 As one who lives a mile away from the A14 between Cambridge and Huntingdon all I want is a widening of this 15ish mile stretch of road and overhaul of the Girton 'junction'. Either that or a removal of all lorries, whatever is easier... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tc9604 Posted June 27, 2013 Share Posted June 27, 2013 As one who lives a mile away from the A14 between Cambridge and Huntingdon all I want is a widening of this 15ish mile stretch of road and overhaul of the Girton 'junction'. Either that or a removal of all lorries, whatever is easier... Oh and as one of the higher VED paying drivers I would expect free travel on any efficient new toll road Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fluffy666 Posted June 28, 2013 Share Posted June 28, 2013 It's true, but it might be nice if the roads were maintained as a priority. But the more parts that need replaced on a car as a result of crap roads also generates VAT income for Government, and income taxes from those employed in the fitting of replacement parts and carrying out repairs. I don't doubt some cars are also replaced earlier as a result of non-economic repair work being required earlier in their lifetimes, triggering more VAT payments. Some roads are truly atrocious, necessitating weaving around the lane just to avoid putting a wheel in a hole, whether you are on four wheels or two. It's crazy to have roads like that, some of which are on Primary routes, not some backwater used by ten cars a day. I've met people who are delighted with the crap state of the roads, and wish it to continue as a means of showing their contempt for motorists. It's not a mainstream view, but I wouldn't be surprised if more than a few of those in Westminster shared a similar outlook. You mean 'People who spend most of their time in London - where car ownership is relatively optional - and when they do leave go by train?' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fluffy666 Posted June 28, 2013 Share Posted June 28, 2013 Oh and as one of the higher VED paying drivers I would expect free travel on any efficient new toll road You will get it. However, first find an EFFICIENT new toll road.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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