Wednesday, April 07, 2004
The cost of motoring
I can understand motorists feeling under siege by the ever increasing cost of using their car, the rising numbers of speed cameras, congestion charging and the return of toll roads, but I do not think it is unreasonable to charge £2 to drive on the M4 between Reading and London. Anybody who has driven on that stretch of road will know what a nightmare it is. There is appalling congestion as well as the presence of speed cameras at half-mile intervals (well it seemed like that anyway). Those who are protesting are arguing that this will be yet another tax on Welsh motorists who already have to pay the Severn Bridge Toll. However, for most of us getting to London is more convenient and greener by train. Having driven to and in London only half a dozen times in my life I always get the train if I can. It is far less stressful.
