http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: "We are "besotted" by glamour projects like the new Forth Bridge" en Mon, 01 Jun 2026 07:02:06 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=10720#post-142328 Tue, 11 Feb 2014 13:19:28 +0000 chdot 142328@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><a href="http://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/opinion/peter-woodward-hs2-needed-to-keep-rail-on-track-1-3301863" rel="nofollow">http://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/opinion/peter-woodward-hs2-needed-to-keep-rail-on-track-1-3301863</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=10720#post-118177 Tue, 16 Jul 2013 11:49:13 +0000 crowriver 118177@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"Toute nation a le gouvernement qu'elle mérite." - Joseph de Maistre. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=10720#post-118172 Tue, 16 Jul 2013 11:20:03 +0000 chdot 118172@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"Trying to change them without some big external motivator"</p> <p>From above link -</p> <p>"<br /> This is a process that starts with good policy at the centre, and encourages local government to bring forward plans for action that meets the needs and characteristics of specific localities.</p> <p>"</p> <p>So good Government (UK or SG) policy and help for LAs. </p> <p>So two fails in all parts of this island. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=10720#post-118169 Tue, 16 Jul 2013 11:11:09 +0000 crowriver 118169@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>why is it that as a country that invests so heavily in roads and large scale public sector infrastructure projects we continue to fall behind our more pro-active European neighbours in investing in relatively inexpensive but hugely effective active travel networks?</em></p> <p>Because people in this country are ignorant and insular. Just look around next time you visit a big shopping centre. Note all the overweight folk, across all age ranges. Watch as they trundle off to the car park or the bus stop. </p> <p>Most people in this country will not consider active travel as an option, even if they are sporty or into 'fitness'. Why? Simple. Because it's not what 'everyone else' is doing. Short of another global oil crisis, I can't see folk's ingrained habits changing. Trying to change them without some big external motivator is like p1ssing in the wind. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=10720#post-118165 Tue, 16 Jul 2013 10:57:23 +0000 kaputnik 118165@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I noted that Danny "Ginger Rodent" Alexander referred to the Westminster Governments new roads building plans as "the most ambitious in a generation".</p> <p>I beg to differ that it is utterly lacking in ambition but more than makes up for it in stupidity and pouring massive volumes of money down a drain that has already got us into the mess we find ourselves in. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=10720#post-118156 Tue, 16 Jul 2013 10:00:18 +0000 chdot 118156@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"</p> <p>Rob Edwards (@robedwards53)<br /> 16/07/2013 09:49<br /> We are "besotted" by glamour projects like the new Forth Bridge at the expense of active travel, says @Aprilcumming </p> <p><a href="http://www.betternation.org/2013/07/labours-chance-to-seize-on-a-radical-holyrood-agenda" rel="nofollow">http://www.betternation.org/2013/07/labours-chance-to-seize-on-a-radical-holyrood-agenda</a></p> <p>"</p> <p>"</p> <p>why is it that as a country that invests so heavily in roads and large scale public sector infrastructure projects we continue to fall behind our more pro-active European neighbours in investing in relatively inexpensive but hugely effective active travel networks? We appear to be besotted by the idea of the extravagant glamour project, for example HS2 and the Forth Bridge Replacement project; these are the status builds that mark the era of an ambitious government. However, ambitious projects do not always a wise investment make, and in this time of stretched budgets we must look at expenditure choices that cover a wide range of policy objectives. Active travel infrastructure in Scotland is not only a necessary facility for allowing citizens of all backgrounds to transport themselves and their families on short to mid-range journeys. It is a vital mechanism for reducing our carbon emissions and vastly improving the health and wellbeing of our nation. </p> <p> " </p>