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MARCH 2010 NEWS

Sundry stories - Washington State - "Law gives drivers extra time to pay for missed tolls"   New Jersey - "Your comments: N.J. toll collectors to get customer service training"   Pennsylvania - "Grange against Interstate 80 tolls"   Washington State- "Governor signs bill that paves way for new 520 bridge" video   New Jersey - "$3 toll set for new Expressway interchange".

Another toll holiday

Dominican Today - "Tolls lifted; heavy trucks banned from Dominican roads for Easter break".

VAT being added to Phillipines tolls may be illegal

Inquirer - "E-VAT on highway toll fees illegal -- Binay".

Ontario police collaborate with 407 ETR owners

The earlier version of this story seemed to be pulled, but this has now appeared - The Star - "Long arm of law reaches out to check 407 transponders".

More AGW

Those who are sceptical about AGW should perhaps check on their life insurance. This is what Denis MacShane, a Labour MP, said to the Prime Minister in a debate this Monday, which was supposed to be about the European Council - "Surely it does make sense to distance ourselves from politicians who support the Waffen SS, who are climate change deniers or who have odd views on what happened to the Jews in world war two" Not only did the Prime Minister appear to think that there was nothing odd about this remark, neither did any of the Tory MPs.

The PM had been asked a question with a similar remark by Martin Linton, Labour, on 23 June last year - "the fruitcake fringe of climate change deniers, Obama-haters and commemorators of the Waffen SS?" The PM seemed to agree, and the Tories kept quiet.
Harriet Harman at PM's questions on 16th December last year had told William Hague (who was standing in for David Cameron) that "he should deal with Conservative Members who are climate change deniers" So perhaps the Tory MPs have been told to shut up!

Jamie Reed, another Labour MP in a Commons debate of 7 December 2009 on the Energy Bill said that "when they look at Britain's putative alternative Government they see that they increasingly consist of climate change deniers". That remark went by without any comment but later on he said that "The Leader of the Opposition currently resembles the Quisling of the climate change deniers". The Deputy Speaker was apparently happy with the phrase "climate change deniers" but actually had the nerve to say that he was "not happy" with the use of "Quisling". According to Hansard the response of MPS was laughter.

Harriet Harman in the House Business debate on 29 October 2009 was asked a question by our friend Denis MacShane who wanted the "Opposition's shameful alliance exposed to the whole world", the alliance was with those "who whitewashes the massacre of Jews in world war two" The response from Harriet Harman was - "My right hon. Friend is right-no one in this country, particularly the Opposition, should consort with holocaust deniers, climate change deniers and homophobes. That is not the way that Britain wants to go."

Mr Slaughter, Labour on 5 November 2009 said that "the Conservatives’ closest ally in Europe is Václav Klaus, who is a notorious—possibly one of the world’s leading—climate change deniers." (Václav Klaus is the President of the Czech Republic who did not want to sign the Lisbon Treaty.) Others to use use the phrase "climate deniers" include Karen Buck,Labour and Tony Lloyd, Labour, both on 5 November 2009, and Ed Miliband (Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change) on 5 and 24 November 2009, Baroness Sharp of Guildford (Lib Dem) on 24 November 2009, and Lord Wallace of Saltaire (Lib Dem) on 19 November 2009. Martin Salter, Labour, on 14 May 2008, suggested that John Redwood might be one, even though he had denied it!

Prospect of another bust toll

Sydney Morning Herald - "RiverCity investors face wipeout".

More diversions

Logan West Leader (Queensland) - "Logan motorway toll rises sparks alarm for Johnson Rd users".

New Nigerian toll near

Punch - "Motorists soon to pay tolls on Lekki-Epe Expressway".

Scrapped

BBC - "Scrappage scheme comes to an end".

AGW

Another story about weather women and men v. climate scientists - NY Times - "Among Weathercasters, Doubt on Warming".
Though with the amount of money being pumped into AGW and threats to the jobs of those who are too dumb to accept AGW, it is likely that the number of forecasters who admit that they have doubts will diminish.

PM to urge for continuing population growth

BBC - "Brown to focus on 'fair' immigration system in speech".
Britain is already more densely populated than 80% of countries. The British population at the end of the Second World War was 47 million, it is now 62 million. It is likely that all of the growth is due to net migration and because immigrants have on average more children than emigrants would have had, due to differences in fertility (age and use of birth control).


Tuesday 30 March 2010

USA Roundup

Sundry stories - Alabama - "Homewood council votes to oppose state's U.S. 280 plan"   New York - "An Education Basic"   Texas - "Toll road study axed but alternatives still on the table".

Toronto Star continues its tolls touting

"Tolls can fix gridlock"   "When it comes to transit, province has a blind spot"   "Transit woes demand tough love".

Congestion charge is "good news"

Croatian Villas - "Zagreb congestion charge could improve tourist experience".

Bit more on VAT being added to Phillipines tolls

Business World - "Tax bureau asked to defer imposition of toll fee VAT".

Toll holiday

Inside Costa Rica - "Free Tolls The Entire Week".

"No" to parking tax

BBC - "Drivers 'oppose work parking levy' in Nottingham".

AGW

More climate change fun - Sindh Today - "Climate change may have rang the death knell for Angkor’s Khmer civilization".

House price spin

BBC - "House price rises slow slightly, Nationwide says". Despite the headline, the annual rate of inflation is still 9%. The more accurate figures from the Land Registry published on the 26th show a slightly lower figure of 7% - "Land Registry House Price Index - February 2010" pdf.


Monday 29 March 2010

More on Dartford sale protest

News Shopper - "5,000 motorists honk horn to protest Crossing sale"   Thurrock Gazette - "Prospective MP hits out at plans to sell Dartford Crossing".

Win for Trolls

The Niagara Falls Bridge Commission has succeeded in avoiding Freedom of Information laws - Niagara Gazette - "COPS NOTEBOOK: What did you say?"   Buffalo News - "Ruling on FOIA issued in bid for severance information"   Leagle - copy of decision.

More AGW

Gulf stream - BBC - "Gulf Stream 'is not slowing down'".
Odd that the establishment should allow publication of a story which partly debunks one of the AGW myths - Guardian 29 November 2009 - "Climate change: Gulf stream collapse could be like a disaster movie - Scientists predict an ice age could be provoked in a matter of months". Though in any case, even without a warm current, the sea would tend to be warmer than the land in winter and therefore still have a warming effect on coastal areas to the leeward.

USA Roundup

Sundry stories - Pennsylvania - "Still waiting on big wins from SEPTA lobbying"   Connecticut - "Electronic highway tolls FOR: It's time for out-of-staters to 'pony up'"   Connecticut - "Privatizing I-95 Corridor Could Be Boon To State"   California - "Calif. toll operator files Chap. 11".

Latest on political games with New Brunswick's toll bridge

CBC - "Bridge motion puts N.B. Tories in a bind".

VAT being added to Phillipines tolls

Manila Standard - "VAT to be slapped on tolls in April".

AGW

Dr Henry who has recently been doing his best to push congestion tolls in Oz is now doing his bit for AGW - The Australian - "Treasury boss Ken Henry's plea on climate".


Saturday 27 March 2010

MIG restructure

Australian troll, MIG, was restructured at the beginning of February. The two profitable bits have been left in MIG but with the company renamed as "Intoll" and the company code has been changed from "MIG" to "ITO". The profitable bits are the 30% stake in Canada's 407ETR (53% owned by Cintra and 17% by Lavalin), and the 25% stake in the Westlink M7, one of Sydney's outer motorways (50% is owned by Transurban and 25% by QIC).

The relatively dud bits (possibly due to low traffic growth or the Company overpaying for the asset) have been hived off into Macquarie Atlas Roads (company code "MQA"), which in turn has been structured into two companies:-
MQA Australia has the Chicago Skyway (22.5%), Indiana Toll Road (25%) and "Transtoll" (which supplies tolling services) 100%.
MQA Bermuda has the South Bay Expressway, California (50%), Warnow Tunnel, Germany (70%), Dulles Greenway, near DC (50%), APRR or Autoroutes Paris-Rhin-Rhone (20.4%) and the M6Toll (100%). The South Bay Expressway recently filed for bankruptcy (see story on Thursday).

Some of the non MIG shares of the roads are owned by part of the Macquarie Group separate from what was in MIG. The parent group is sometimes called "the millionaire factory" as whatever the assets are doing, they seem to be able to make a profit.

More South African tolls

Weekend Post - "For whom the new road tolls".

More on international toll tussle

Windsor Star - "Bridge legal challenge called an act of desperation - Claim to border tolls called shaky".

USA Roundup

Sundry stories - North Carolina - "Road improvements could mean tolling I-95"   New York - "MTA Crisis: Time for Tolls On East River Bridges".

Some reaction to possible congestion tolls

Vietnam News - "There's no simple answer to Ha Noi traffic problem" letters.

Down

Inside Costa Rica - "San José - Caldera Tolls To Go Down".

More AGW

The remnant of the old rulers backing the new order - FT - "Europe’s royals as climate activists".


Friday 26 March 2010

More AGW

Court stops airport expansion as it is against Climate Change law - BBC - "Heathrow third runway opponents win court challenge"   Sky - "Climate Protesters Win Third Runway Battle"   WWF - "Heathrow decision gives Climate Act wings".

Greek tolls protest

Kathimerini - "Protesters see red over highway tolls".

USA Roundup

Sundry stories - Pennsylvania - "Let them pay their own way" letter   Pennsylvania - "I-80 tolling decision could be months away"   New York - "Espada Talks East River Tolls, Budget"   Illinois - "Tollway gets Elgin O'Hare sales pitch".

No one has told David that TIF is dead

Bristol Evening Post - "David Cameron turns his attack on Bristol's education record".

Dartford sale protest

News Shopper - "Motorists to honk horns in Dartford Crossing sale protest today".

Queensland Government denies Con plans

Australasian Bus & Coach - "No road user charges or levies, Qld pledges".

One view on the London Con

Jyskebank (Danish bank)- "Monstrous traffic jams: something went wrong" video.

AGW

More Climate fun - ABC (Oz) - "Scientists examine climate change lobster link".


Thursday 25 March 2010

More tolls wasted

Bristol Evening Post - "£1m facelift for Bristol's Clifton Suspension Bridge".
The Trust that controls the bridge seem to think that is alright for them to force drivers to pay tolls, which are not used for maintenance of the highway, but for a series of inessential projects.

Tamar tolls protest

Plymouth Herald - "1,300 join Facebook group over Tamar tolls".
The number of people who join groups such as this is a small sign of the general loathing for tolls. But will anybody do anything more than sign up?

USA Roundup

Sundry stories - Texas - "NTTA will keep big fines and I wonder: What am I missing?"   Texas - "North Texas Tollway Authority votes to keep toll fines"   Pennsylvania - "Let the bell toll for I-80 tolls"   Virginia - "New plan for Dominion Blvd. tolls submitted".

When will Western con go?

Guardian - "Boris Johnson: when will the congestion charge zone's western extension go?".
Dave Hill suggests that Boris will not want the charge to go in December because it will cause chaos on the roads. But at that time, the pavements are probably more congested than the roads will ever be!

International toll tussle

Courthouse News - "Troubled Bridge Over Canadian Water".

What the parties say

From Transport Extra - "Where Labour stand on key transport issues..."   "Where the Liberal Democrats stand on key transport issues..."   "Where the Tories stand on key transport issues...".
The real situation is that with all three parties we are likely to see a lot more tolls and attempts to sell off the motorways and other key roads.

Transit boss suggests extra gas tax rather than tolls

The Gazette (Montreal) - "STM chief urges hike in gas tax - Would fund expansion of public transit".

AGW

Indian suggestion that the AGW administration should be more transparent - The Hindu - "India suggests RTI for climate change bodies".


Wednesday 24 March 2010

USA Roundup

Sundry stories - Washington State - "Citizens, lawmakers keep tolls from rising"   Indiana / Kentucky - "Groups opposing tolls on Louisville's Ohio River bridges are starting to form"   Pennsylvania - "Rendell visits D.C. to push for I-80 tolls"   Pennsylvania - "Officials Oppose Tolling I-80"   Pennsylvania - "Truckers Talk I-80 Tolls".

Traditional Budget

BBC - "Budget 2010: Darling stamp duty switch in pre-poll move"   BBC - "Budget 2010: Budget documents".
The Budget was traditional in that it was full of give aways, and was a sleight of hand with all the nasty bits not mentioned. What is different between Alistair and Gordon is that Alistair seems to really believe that giving away money that he has not got, and subsidising green spivs is good for a country that seems to be in a irreversible decline.

PS In his speech the Chancellor confirmed that he was selling off the Dartford tolls, the Student Loan book and the Tote. He said that "The proceeds from these sales will make a significant contribution to reducing debt."

More on Belgians to push for higher tolls in Europe

HGVUK - "Eurovignette back on agenda".

Bit more on issue kicked into hyper-space

Hull Daily Mail - "Bridge toll study is a step forward".

More AGW

Another example of how daft the UK establishment thinks that people are - It times this announcement immediately after a winter that has killed off many perennial plants - Telegraph - "Bananas grow in National Trust garden of the future".


Tuesday 23 March 2010

USA Roundup

Sundry stories - South Carolina - "Senator wants to know how Southern Connector bond proceeds were spent"   Florida - "Cash tolls on Miami-Dade expressways will soon be electronic"   New Jersey - "Atlantic City Expressway toll is subject of hearing"   Pennsylvania - "Federal government remains undecided on tolling Interstate 80"   NY - "Espada Holds Town Hall Meeting, Says He Supports East River Tolls" video.

FTA complain

FTA - "What about the Severn crossing, demands FTA". The FTA have done almost nothing to get rid of tolls, if they now think they should go, then they need to shout a lot louder.

Everyone complains

Canterbury News - "'Make foreign lorry drivers pay for using m-ways'". If Britain has the bottle to do something, then it should be to stop the practice of lorries coming to Britain with tanks full of cheap fuel.

Dear President,

Joy Online - "Note: Letter to the President on road tolls".

Different story, same aim

Telegraph - "Oil reserves 'exaggerated by one third'".
The people and firms that are warning that oil will soon run out are the same ones that preach "climate change". Presumably if the oil runs out, so will one of the sources of the CO2 that they say they are worried about. Is their aim to make even more money for themselves or to take us all back to the Dark Ages?


Monday 22 March 2010

Issue kicked into hyper-space

The story this morning was - Scunthorpe Telegraph - "Minister cancels Humber Bridge visit". Now it is - Scunthorpe Telegraph - "New report will help Government decide on tolls", well after the election that is.

Bit on new Toronto troll

Now Toronto - "Sarah Thomson, Smitherman's thorn".

More AGW

BBC - "Chair announced for 'Climategate' science probe"   Guardian - "Lord Oxburgh to head new UEA inquiry".
This appointment shows the arrogance of the UK establishment. The "conclusions" that this hand picked committee will reach are obvious, but do the establishment have to rub it in by appointing as chairman a Lord who is, or reecently was, involved with firms that benefit from the new religion such as Climate Change Capital, Carbon Capture and Storage Association, Deutsche Bank (Climate Change Board), and Falck Renewables.
PS Comment from James Delingpole in the Telegraph - "Climategate: the whitewash continues".

British Government selling the idea of private finance, including toll raods

Heral Bulletin - "Austin to help lead Washington transportation summit - Meeting between U.S., U.K. to explore public-private partnerships ".

USA Roundup

Sundry stories - Massachusetts / New Hampshire - "Mr. Reversal: Lynch’s tolls, taxes & spending"   Wyoming - "No tolls on I-80 could mean more gas tax"   Connecticut - "Transit advocates urge new approach"   Pennsylvania - "Editorial: Roadside assistance" comments   Maine - "Taking a toll on home owners: Residents fight Maine Turnpike plan".

Toll queues likley to lengthen due to security checks

East Day - "Fast-track warning from police".

Bridge gone

Henley Standard - "Transport scheme scrapped". As the proposal was to either toll the bridge or to ban cars from using it, this is no great loss.

Government may have to take over private finance bridge

Winnipeg Free Press - "NWT legislature considers taking over $180-million bridge project".

Foul air

Daily Mail - "Air pollution in the UK 'killing 50,000 people a year', warn MPs"   BBC - "Call to tackle pollution 'role in 50,000 early deaths'"   Environmental Audit Committee - "Air Quality" pdf..
The illustrations to the stories make it clear that cars are getting the blame for air pollution. This idea will suit the trolls in Parliament, but it is not true - Our "Air Quality" page.

AGW

More climate fun - Asia One - "Flowers losing scent due to climate change".
In Britain, many temperate plants will not have any scent as the whole plant will have been killed by the harsh winter.


Saturday 20 March 2010

USA Roundup

Sundry stories - North Texas - "The Road to North Texas' Future Is Paved With Tolls"   Connecticut - "Toll proposal inches forward despite local disapproval"   West Virginia - "W.Va. DOH says residents not opposed to road taxes".

Just visiting

Scunthorpe Telegraph - "Transport Minister visit to give bridge toll update".

Two recent ABD press releases

15 March - "ABD Comment on ASA CO2 Adverts Adjudication".


Friday 19 March 2010

Bit more AGW

Joanne Nova - "The mystery deepens: Where did that decline go?".

USA Roundup

Sundry stories - Connecticut - "Majority oppose return of toll roads"   North Carolina - "Local Tolls an Option to Pay for New Roads" video   North Carolina - "Could Toll Roads Be In The Triad's Future?" video   Georgia - "I-85 and Ga. 400 toll systems may not be compatible".

Tamar toll increase kicked in today

BBC - "Cornwall and Devon river crossing toll rise enforced".

Speech from King of the Trolls

Australia.to - "Address by Dr Ken Henry to the Conference on the Economics of Infrastructure". It seems that the Doctor may be selling congestion tolls in Oz because he has swallowed the myths about the "success" of the London Con.

Bit more on latest Toronto toll touting

CityTV - "Would-Be Mayor Wants Road Tolls To Fund Subway Expansion" video & lot of comments   Toronto Sun - "Sarah Thomson grabs road tolls by the horns: Editorial" comments.

AGW

The latest AGW argument in the Economist is that it is best to burn incense on the altar of Agnostos Theos - "The clouds of unknowing - There are lots of uncertainties in climate science. But that does not mean it is fundamentally wrong"   "Spin, science and climate change - Action on climate is justified, not because the science is certain, but precisely because it is not".


Thursday 18 March 2010

More doubt over Dutch plan

Dutch News - "CDA buries kilometer tax, for now at least".
Perhaps the Dutch will eventually realise that fuel taxes are even better than a kilometre tax and might even get round to increasing their very low diesel prices.

USA Roundup

Sundry stories - New Jersey - "NJ Transportation chief wants turnpike to turn bigger profits"   Connecticut - "Poll respondents: Give us liquor, hold the Keno; Tolls opposed 56 to 40 percent"   Oregon / Washington State - "Crossing sponsors set closed-door meeting"   Connecticut - "Lynch doesn't back border toll - Governor doesn't back plan"   Oregon / Washington State - "Tolls Are Not An Answer" letter   Washington State - "Toll rates on Tacoma Narrows Bridge won't rise this year"   Washington State - "Transportation Commission: No toll increases this year".

Money pump faltering

BofE - "Provisional estimates of broad money (M4) and credit (M4 lending): February 2010".
These figures follow the pattern of recent months and show that despite the bank's heliocopter money efforts, there is relatively little growth in money supply. The 4.4% year on year growth, though inflationary, is the lowest since this series was first reported by the Old Lady in July 1983.

Government debt less than expected, but still the worst ever

BBC - "Government borrowing less than forecast".

Tories and the Green "Transport Carbon Reduction fund"

Get Reading - "High hopes for transport bid".
The fund is mentioned on the main Tory website - "Where we stand - Transport", though the idea seems to really come from some of the other well known allies of drivers - Better Transport - "A Carbon Reduction Fund: A Proposal For The Department For Transport’s Carbon Reduction Strategy" pdf.

More Toronto toll touting

Another story indicated one group that will not be likely to pay road tolls - the transit bosses - Toronto Sun - "TTC bosses bill for tolls, cabs and mileage".

Brisbane toll increase

Brisbane Times - "Fears toll increase will force people out of work" comments   ABC News - "Toll hike a 'cash grab' to help sell Gateway"   Brisbane Times - "Gateway Motorway toll to jump" comments     Courier Mail - "Gateway motorists face bridge toll rise to sweeten Anna Bligh's privatisation deal" video.

Bit more on proposed Ho Chi Minh City congestion tolls

Vietnam Net - "Toll on cars in downtown HCMC not workable".

They make politicians seem honest

BBC - "Second-hand car dealers shamed by OFT".


Wednesday 17 March 2010

USA Roundup

Sundry stories - Alabama - "State puts brakes on U.S. 280 express lanes"   Pennsylvania - "It's in our best interests to oppose I-80 tolls" letter   Washington State - "I-405 tolling proposal stalls in Olympia"   "West Virginia poised to increase toll roads".

More AGW

The butterfly effect - ABC - "Climate change link to butterfly life cycle".

Latest minutes of the "Let's print a lotta money" committee

BofE - "Minutes Of The Monetary Policy Committee Meeting 3 And 4 March 2010" pdf.

Businesses say "No" to a York Con

The Press - "York’s small businesses fear impact of congestion fees".

Tolls lifted for ancestors

China Post - "Tomb Sweeping Festival to feature freeway toll exemption".

Tolls may go up rather than down

Mainichi Daily News - "Drivers face higher Tokyo Metropolitan, Hanshin expressway tolls under gov't plan".
As the new Government had promised to scrap the tolls this story is a sign of the power of various vested interests. By coincidence, the Bank of Japan today announced that it was pumping 20 trillion yen (150 billion pounds or 220 billion dollars) into the economy as a "stimulus".

Bit more on Tamar tolls increase

DfT - The Inspector's report and the Minister's decision letter.

Unemployment down

BBC - "UK unemployment records further fall"   ONS - "Labour market statistics - March 2010".
The bad news is that the employment rate and hours worked are still falling, which implies that people are removing themselves from the jobs market.

AGW

If you really want to cut down on CO2, then sell the dog and buy a car - New Scientist (October 2009) - "How green is your pet?".


Tuesday 16 March 2010

Trolls at it again

NZ Herald - "Agency puts harbour bridge tolls into its mix".

Equity

Times Live - "Sanral claims open road tolls "equitable"" lot of comments.

Tolls racket doing well

China Daily - "Top 3 profitable businesses in 2009 revealed". Given this report, it is not surprising that a blind eye was turned towards the decision to remove tolls with effect from January 2009.

Bit more on proposed Ho Chi Minh City congestion tolls

Vietnam Net - "Tolls proposed on cars using downtown streets".

AGW

James Delingpole in the Telegraph - "Greens sacrifice babies to Satan, sell grandmothers into slavery, etc".

USA Roundup

Sundry stories - Indiana / Kentucky - "Current scenarios would leave Clark bridge free from tolls"   Texas - "Anti-toll activists: Charging toll on U.S. 290 'like a triple tax'" video.

Proposed new toll system for Taiwan

Focus Taiwan - "Commercial Times: A test for rooting out populism". It is amazing the effort that would be put into a "pay per mile" toll when a fuel tax has a similar effect with none of the costs or problems of electronic tolls.

More on Indian truckers demands

Express Buzz - "AIMTC threatens to close down operations".

Bit more on No tolls plea

Guide 2 Valancia - "Valencia's motorway hit by crisis".

Bit more on Fat Cat Trolls at it again

Auto Blog - "Road tolls 'essential' to avoid gridlock"   Economist - "Bunged up - Road pricing makes good economic sense. But voters hate it".

Shhh! - Tamar tolls to increase on Friday

Plymouth Herald - "Tamar tolls will rise by 50 per cent"   BBC - "Tamar Bridge toll goes up to £1.50"   Western Morning News - "Tamar tolls to increase 50%".
The timing of this latest rip-off of drivers is strange. The story broke yesterday and the increase is to take effect this Friday, but the DfT have still not published anything official. One possible explanation is that yesterday the Government announced job losses at a local Navy depot - news which has to a large extent buried this tolls story.

Fuel price escalator

BBC - "Petrol prices set for record high, says AA".


Monday 15 March 2010

Whitchuch tolls non-meeting

Henley Standard - "Bridge firm refuses to meet councillors who fought toll rise".

New York cycling lobbyist tells China to have more tolls

NY Times - "Postcard from a Guangzhou Traffic Jam".

More AGW

James Delingpole in the Telegraph - "Sir John Houghton: AGW is real because I've got a knighthood, I'm a scientist and I say so".

USA Roundup

Sundry stories - Alabama - "Flexible tolls considered for U.S. 280 lanes in metro Birmingham"   Colorado - "Plans still in play to extend U.S. 36 express lanes"   Pennsylvania - "anticipation builds for I-80 toll decision".

Some opposition to proposed Ho Chi Minh City congestion tolls

Thanhnien Newst - "Toll on cars in downtown HCMC not workable".

Fat Cat Trolls at it again

Telegraph - "CBI calls for changes in commuting practices"   CBI - "Change Work Patterns To Avoid Gridlock On Britain’s Roads". Their recommendations include - "Road pricing should be considered for building new roads or extra lanes. Experience from overseas suggests the public will support a toll on a new road if it is the only way that road will be built, and that tolls used on new lanes on motorways and A roads can help prevent congestion building up again."

"Election manifesto for motorists"

Mike Rutherford in Telegraph.

AGW

There is nothing official from the Advertising Standards Authority, but last week the Guardian "leaked" that - "Climate change adverts draw mild rebuke from advertising watchdog" (the story includes a link to the ajudication). The "mild rebuke" included a ban on repeating the adverts and the referral of a television ad to Ofcom, for possibly breaking rules on political advertising.
Saturday 13 March 2010

An odd protest

This is Local London - "Motorists asked to honk horn in Dartford Crossing sale protest".
The protest is welcome, but it is odd that it comes from the Lib Dems who plan to sell off the motorways and main roads.

USA Roundup

Sundry stories - Pennsylvania - "Proponents pressure Specter on I-80 tolls"   New Hampshire - "Lawmakers, others call on Lynch to stop toll plan"   New Hampshire - "Lynch asked to stop toll plan"   Oregon / Washington State - "Expect feds to give $400 million for new I-5 bridge, officials told"   Massachusetts / New Hampshire - "Possibility of I-93 tolls in New Hampshire" video   Oregon / Washington State - "Columbia crossing sponsors drive toward agreement"   Pennsylvania - "For Whom The Turnpike Tolls"  Pennsylvania - "Without I-80 Tolls, SEPTA To Hike Rates".


Friday 12 March 2010

USA Roundup

Sundry stories - New York - "Port Authority chief Christopher Ward says up tolls for transportation upkeep"   Washington State - "No I-405 tolls for HOV lanes; bill dies in Olympia"   Connecticut - "Border toll proposal calls for camera system"   Washington State - "New 520 bridge won't solve I-5 merge mess"   Alabama - "Hoover, Birmingham officials question U.S. 280 toll road financing"   Washington State - "Transportation Commission Talks Tolling and Long-Term Funding Needs".

AGW

Telegraph - "Climategate: the IPCC's whitewash 'review' is the AGW camp's biggest mistake yet"   Hot Air - "American skepticism on AGW soars" inc link to Gallup poll. One of Britain's main exports - "Do what thou wilt"

Times - "Ernst & Young faces legal action over Lehman collapse".


Thursday 11 March 2010

No tolls plea

Round Town News - "The bell tolls".

USA Roundup

Sundry stories - Pennsylvania - "Our opinion: Where would toll money go?"   Pennsylvania - "U.S. should allow I-80 tolls"   Connecticut - "Proposed toll bill may lack legislative, local support"   West Virginia - "Toll roads bill heads to House".

The train drain

BBC - "High-speed rail plans announced by government"   NDS - "Adonis sets out high speed rail proposals"   NDS - "HS2 gears up for next stage of work following Government's publication of HS2 report".
Though these are Goverment plans, when the Minister announced them in the Commons today, the Tories and Lib Dems were vying with Labour as to who is the most pro rail.
For an alternative view on the economics of railways, go to - Transport Watch.

More Stats

DfT - "Road goods vehicles travelling to mainland Europe 2009 (includes Q4 2009)".

Yesterday's debate on "Taxes and Charges on Road Users"

Hansard (at the bottom of each page, click on next section).
PS From what was and was not said by the Tories in the debate it is clear that if they form the next Government there will be a lot more tolled roads.

AGW

Reuters - "China unsure on warming cause, to stick with CO2 cuts".
Interestingly the "powerful National Development and Reform Commission" is the same body who decided that tolls should be replaced with a fuel tax - a decision that was ignored.


Wednesday 10 March 2010

USA Roundup

Sundry stories - West Virginia - "Free transponders rekindle heated topic of turnpike tolls in southern W.Va."   Pennsylvania - "No backup plan if I-80 tolls rejected"   Pennsylvania - "Interstate 80 tolls will hurt area residents" letter   Texas - "Stakes high as cities debate proposed tollway routes" video   South Carolina - "Tolls being considered for new coastal expressway".

Toll supplement

Irish Times - "Rental car users pay 64% more on M50".

AGW

Telegraph - "Climategate: George Monbiot despairs of the AGW cause – 'There goes my life's work'".


Tuesday 9 March 2010

Chinese Cash Cow

Global Times - "Road tolls are just highway robbery".
The odd thing is that with effect from January 2009, by agreement of the National Development and Reform Commission, the tolls were to be replaced with a gas tax!
The failure to remove most of the tolls or bring in a proper gas tax, not only shows the power of those who benefit from tolls, it also shows how sincere the Chinese are about reducing CO2 emissions.

Why quakes are in the news

AP - "Not more quakes, just more people in quake zones".

Britain still a nation of shoppers

BBC - "UK trade deficit widens to worst in 17 months"   ONS - "UK Trade - January 2010" pdf   BBC - "UK retail sales rebound in February, says trade group".
The pound in your pocket is now worth 75 pence compared with three years ago, and there is speculation as to why Britain is still importing more than it exports. One explanation is that with such a large devaluation we need to either export a lot more or import a lot less if we are just to stop the deficit getting worse. As the main policy of the Bank of England is to encourage spending and to keep house prices up, there is no prospect of Britain ever moving out of the red.

USA Roundup

Sundry stories - Wyoming - "Gas tax hike among I-80 options"   Pennsylvania - "Rossi: Tolling I-80 is right thing to do"   Washington State - "Tom bill to advance SR 520 project sent to governor’s desk"   "Potential Maryland Toll Hike Met with Anger" video.

State of Zimbabwe's toll roads

The Herald - "Where is toll cash going?" letter.

Cambridgeshire and Reading expect handout despite death of TIF

Reading Chronicle - "Rival claims it leads race for roads cash".

Light on tolls

Mainichi Daily News - "Bus company may have dodged 5 million yen in highway tolls through ETC fraud".

An isolated event?

Tories in Derby say that they back drivers - Derby Telegraph - "Fair deal for motorists is on Conservatives' agenda".

"Wild Coast" toll

Dispatch - "New plan for N2 tollroad to KZN".

On Wednesday, MPs will debate "Taxes and Charges on Road Users"

Parliament - Transport Committee: Press Notice. Estimates Day debates are on the Government's spending plans. As MPS appear to be united in spending as little as possible on the roads while excessively taxing drivers, it will be interesting to hear what is said. One pointer may be that the same debate will include one other subject - alcohol.

AGW

"Real Climate" (i.e. Michael Mann and other AGW preachers) throw cold water on the idea that the sun has any effect on Earth's temperature - "More on sun-climate relations".


Monday 8 March 2010

Possible that Indian truckers may strike

Handy Shipping Guide - "Strike Action Warning over Diesel Prices and Road Tolls".

Bit more on death of TIF

Yorkshire Evening Post - "Leeds road pricing u-turn as £2 billion fund is axed". Leeds was one of the very few areas that might have made a TIF submission (the other was Bristol / West of England, and there were two submissions already in - Cambridgeshire and Reading.)

AGW

Watts up with that? - "The Logarithmic Effect of Carbon Dioxide".
One other point that is not mentioned is that there is some doubt as to whether the overall effect of water vapour is to warm the planet, this is because the so called "greenhouse" effect is countered by clouds reflecting much of the solar energy back into space before it can be absorbed by the Earth - so cloudy nights are warmer but cloudy days are cooler. In the 1980s, before NASA became part of the AGW industry, it ran the "Earth Radiation Budget Experiment". The conclusion was that "the planet would on average be some 20°F hotter if we removed clouds from the atmosphere". As this completly nullifies the theory that CO2 has a multiplier or positive feedback effect, the ERBE has been forgotten - though NASA seems to have left this trace - NASA - "Why Isn't Earth Hot as an Oven?".

USA Roundup

Sundry stories - Texas - "Cantrell Doesn't Like Taste of Dickey's Proposal That County Get in Toll Road Biz"   Pennsylvania - "Scarnati: No easy answers for road $$$"   Maryland - "Express toll lane project on I-95 being scaled back"   Virginia - "City, Spotsy start toll road process".

"An economist’s wet dream"

Malaysian Insider. If the combination of a congestion charge and free public transport means that there are no cars on the road, then who will bear the cost of the "free" public transport?

Provincial government opposes toll

Star - "Toll road opposed by Mkhize".


Sunday 7 March 2010

USA Roundup

Sundry stories - Alabama - "Something the matter with toll road infatuation"   Michigan - "Our Voice: Tolls roads would be a common-sense solution toward paying for Michigan’s roads".

AGW

Today there were no sunspots, though this is only the third such day in 2010 and there is little doubt that the sun is past the deep solar minimum.


Saturday 6 March 2010

USA Roundup

Sundry stories - Indiana / Kentucky - "WISER: Boiling a frog - Time to ‘jump’ to a toll-free better bridge solution"   Alabama - "U.S. 280 work on express lanes slows so foes can offer views"   Pennsylvania - "State needs money, but tolling I-80 is not the best plan"   West Virginia - "Turnpike doesn’t leave travelers with positive impression"   West Virginia - "Turnpike tolls: Debate flares up again in Charleston"   West Virginia - "Reform gives check on tolls"   Nebraska - "Toll change means less change at Decatur bridge"   New Jersey - "Who's telling the truth on tolls, Christie or his transportation boss?"   South Carolina - "Refinancing plan adds 35 years to Southern Connector tolls".

Bit more on latest toll pushing in Oz

Brisbane Times - "Commuters should pay for traffic gridlocks: experts".

AGW

More on the Met Office - BBC - "Met Office seasonal forecasts to be scrapped"   Guardian - "How public trust in climate scientists can be restored"   Prison Planet - "Met Office claims to have found the AGW fingerprint".


Friday 5 March 2010

USA Roundup

Sundry stories - Florida - "More Questions Than Answers About Tollway"   Indiana / Kentucky - "Bridge tolls could start in 2013"   Pennsylvania / New Jersey - "I-80 toll bridge project rescheduled by Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission"   Indiana / Kentucky - "Bridges authority won't consider tolls on Clark Memorial Bridge".

More Euro toll pushing

EuroPolitics- "Belgian EU Presidency plans to advance on Eurovignette".

More toll pushing in Oz

Australasian Bus & Coach - "Congestion charging crucial, say public transport experts".

AGW

Another green success story - Big Government (US) - "'Symbolic' Wind Turbines Generating More P.R. Than Power".


Thursday 4 March 2010

USA Roundup

Sundry stories - "Pennsylvania Turnpike lease would have backfired"   New Jersey - "The road tolls for you"   Florida - "FDOT Planning Toll Road on Branan Field Chaffee Road"   Massachusetts / New Hampshire - "Toll ‘border war’ looms with N.H."   New Hampshire - "Bill says slow down in E-ZPass lanes"   West Virginia - "W.Va. Senate OKs more toll roads for Parkways"   Maryland - "Debt may lead to toll hikes".

Further confirmation of death of TIF

Cambridge News - "Congestion charge dead in the water, council bosses confirm".
PS It seems that some of the politicians in the Reading area are unaware that TIF is dead - Get Reading - "Transport woes ‘fault of West Berks council’".

AGW

James Delingpole in the Telegraph "Hurrah for George Monbiot!".

MPs still toll pushing

The Commons Transport Committee have published their report on - "The performance of the Department for Transport" pdf.
The majority of the committee are against driving and are still pushing for the Government to introduce road pricing. The committe say - "The Government must take some hard decisions about managing demand for road use. If it does not, the economy, environment and public finances will suffer. We support the Department’s ongoing research into finding acceptable methods of charging for road use, perhaps involving voluntary charging schemes as we have suggested. We urge the Department not to shy away from this difficult but important issue, and to address it with renewed focus and determination early in the next Parliament."

Bit more on death of TIF

Materials Handling World - "The Freight Transport Association FTA welcome government plans to abandon congestion charging policy".

Bit more on Northern Ireland Government to help the Republic chase tolls

Belfast Telegraph - "End of the road for drivers who dodge southern tolls".

More on the creeping back of the Trolls

Dunfermline Press - "Bridge tolls 'a last resort'".

Decision deferred

Scunthorpe Telegraph - "No bridge tolls decision before election"   Hull Daily Mail - "Election to take toll on bridge decision".


Wednesday 3 March 2010

Bit more on death of TIF

The DfT have published a discussion paper on the replacement for TIF. "Road pricing" is mentioned as a possible measure but it is at the bottom of the list - DfT - "Supporting Cities: A Discussion Paper On Plans For An Urban Challenge Fund" pdf.

More on AGW

Telegraph - "EU carbon trading windfalls under fire from Lord Turner".

USA Roundup

Sundry stories - Massachusetts - "Gov moving fast on open road tolling"   New Hampshire - "Hampton woman, children injured in toll plaza crash"   Massachusetts / New Hampshire - "Opposition To Salem, N.H. Tolls Grows" video.

New York - "Raucous rally in Queens against MTA cuts, tolls and end of free student cards"   New Hampshire - "Group rallies against I-93 toll"   Washington State - "Grace period for Narrows toll scofflaws passes House"   Texas - "Dallas County may create toll agency"   Pennsylvania - "Tolling I-80: Better plans available"   New Hampshire / Massachusetts - "Ground Campaign To Stop I-93 Tolls Growing".

Washington State - "2 toll-collection bills for 520 floating bridge pass House"   Rhode Island - "Plan for Sakonnet River Bridge toll draws opposition"   Maryland - "Bay Bridge Users' Rights"   "Wyoming’s I-80 toll plan dies in House"   New Jersey / Pennsylvania - "Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission delays open road tolling project for Interstate 80"   New York - "Cross Bay Bridge rebate targeted".

Toll proposed to pay for pavement

Mornington Peninsula Leader - "Outrage over St Johns Wood Rd toll".

Northern Ireland Government to help the Republic chase tolls

RTE - "Cross-border agreement on parking fines".

More on death of TIF

The DfT have confirmed to us that TIF is dead, and with it the two applications that were pending - Cambridgeshire and Reading. The only other application ever submitted was for Greater Manchester, and that was of course already dead - Cambridge News - "Cambridgeshire's bid for £500m rejected"   Manchester Evening News - "Now transport millions on offer with no c-charge"   Telegraph - "Motorists' victory as Government drops plans for local road pricing scheme".
Yesterday's statement in the Commons   DfT - the Minister's speech at the "launch event".
PS Cambridgeshire say that they may have a Con anyway - BBC - "Cambridge congestion charge plans on hold".

AGW

Institute of Physics denies that they are not 100% behind AGW belief - Guardian - "Institute of Physics forced to clarify submission to climate emails inquiry".


Tuesday 2 March 2010

TIF dead?

It seems that the Transport Innovation Fund has quietly passed away. TIF promised authorities large amounts of money if they would agree to introduce road tolls. The scheme that replaces it seems to have no such strings - NDS - "Cities told transport strategies need to be bolder".

USA Roundup

Sundry stories - New Jersey - "Live toll collectors beat E-ZPass woes" letter   Florida - "Work begins on new toll road"   Washington State - "Interstate 405 toll lanes gain traction in Senate"   South Carolina - "Bailout of Upstate toll road opposed"   New Jersey - "Acting N.J. transportation commissioner says he'd consider tolls on Route 80".

More pressure on the Japanese Government from the trolls

Japan Times - "Editorial - A promise the DPJ should forget".
The vested interests that benefit from toll roads say that "more traffic means more greenhouse gases". If they really wanted to reduce fuel use, then they would be arguing for a switch from tolls and other taxes to a higher gas tax.

AGW

More on yesterday's session of the Science and Technology Cttee on "The Disclosure Of Climate Data From The Climatic Research Unit At The University Of East Anglia" - The Register - "Climategate hits Westminster: MPs spring a surprise"   Telegraph - "Climategate: 'a lot of common data' – Phil Jones exposes AGW dominoes to Commons committee"   Guardian - "Phil Jones survives MPs' grilling over climate emails"   Parliament - video of the session.

The English doormats

Only 40% of English people are concerned that MPs from Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales decide on what happens in England; and even less support an English Parliament - BBC - "Research says support growing for English Parliament".


Monday 1 March 2010

More AGW

BBC - "MPs quiz 'climategate' scientist"   Guardian - "US Senate's top climate sceptic accused of waging 'McCarthyite witch-hunt'"   Telegraph - "Baby survives parents' global warming suicide pact"   James Delingpole in Telegraph - "What the liberal elite feel you should know about 'Climate Change'".

Save a Tree

For one reason or another, a DfT report has been "leaked" to the Times - "Green fuels cause more harm than fossil fuels, according to report".

USA Roundup

Sundry stories - Texas - "A separate toll authority for Dallas County?"   Pennsylvania - "Reject I-80 tolls - form Plan B"   New Hampshire - "Raise more toll money to widen I-93".

Virginia - "Bill could allow lawmakers to approve HOT lanes"   Michigan - "Jackson officials say toll roads are not the answer to Michigan's financial potholes".

Chile's roads

Chile's main north to south road and some roads around Santiago are mainly tolled and foreign owned. Apart from the damage caused by the earthquake to roads and bridges, some tolls are not operating because of breaks in power supplies. It is not likely that the operators will have taken into account these risks, but they may be bailed out by the World Bank and other parts of the troll establishment.

AGW