“Those who are too smart to engage in politics are punished by being governed by those who are dumber.”
Plato
There are thousands of decent, hard-working people who work for Bradford Council. So, they must despair at the elected numbnuts.
How To Blow £47m
Solutions towards tackling road congestion and traffic pollution are expensive and complex. They should not be left to local councillors elected by a few thousand people who would vote for a cabbage.
The consultation process re plans to install a West Yorkshire Mayor in 2021 is underway. Agreeing to this sees the Government lob in £1.6bn over thirty years. It sounds a lot but is less than £40m a year across West Yorkshire.
The West Yorkshire Combined Authority will have a major say where this money is spent but how? Consider a plan to divert traffic from the busy Manningham Lane to the even busier Canal Road at a cost of £47m.
Having blown a fortune on barely used cycle lanes for Canal Road, they propose yet more in the same direction?
So Excited!
Comical Alex, Head of Degeneration, Cycle Lanes and Lamp Posts provides this week’s classic quote taken from this article.
“So far, we’ve had a positive response to our consultation with the majority of people in favour of the scheme, so we’re excited….”
This is confusing as the article points out the consultation opens Monday and closes on Sunday July 5. Comical probably means he got a few “likes” on Facebook from the local Kamikaze Cycling Club.
There is a political angle here. Spend a fortune for three cyclists whilst making those having to drive in from outlying areas sit in ever longer queues? It’s all about where you get your votes from.
Our Survey Said
It is appalling how the Council are attempting to frame the survey by suggesting there will be fewer accidents and less parking on pavements.
This is self-serving drivel as both of the above have common denominators – ignorance and stupidity. Ten times the proposed budget will not cure this.
It would make great sense to reconsider many similar schemes as people return to work post the pandemic because it is highly likely many will not, preferring to work from home.
It is utterly delusional to waste almost £50m in the hope that people will cycle to work in their masses. We enjoy neither the climate nor the standards of driving.
Only when governments invest into efficient and reliable local mass transit systems will they wean people from their cars. And by then who will be working from our city centres?
Welcome Back
The best menswear* shop around opens again on Monday. Good luck to Raymond Town with the relocation to Posh Bradford over in Ilkley.
In an exclusive interview, Richard Town confessed he has ditched the legendary Mellow Birds customer care package. A classic sales pitch for generations, increasing your spend as you worked your way slowly down the mug of tar before dysentry set in.
A fancy new coffee machine is now in place for the Henry and Henrietta set. Old customers are being encouraged to use the back door.
The old man would be proud having made the last move from Manchester Road to Saltaire what seems like only yesterday.
Welcome back!
*I realise use of this word may cause offence to some…if so… you are welcome!
Hypocrisy
Bradford Council and the police have issued a joint statement today reminding people that large gatherings during the Covid-19 crisis are unlawful.
Given the blatant hypocrisy here readers’ comments immediately started to flow.
Illuminating various parts of the city to pander to the mob was only going to encourage people in. Strangely, comments were deleted in a flash and barred; this from a paper pleading daily for its very survival.
My Mum Woulda Caught That!
We will not be hearing Sir Geoffrey Boycott again on Test Match Special. Whilst not everybody’s cup of Yorkshire tea, whatever you thought about his blunt assessments, at least he had an opinion and was brave enough to venture it.
So much of television and radio sport is now presided over by the bland and the politically correct. Cricket returns on the BBC this summer fronted by the appalling Isa Guha.
Gone are the days when a journalistic or expert eye counted for anything; now it is a simple tick-box exercise, dumbed down beyond imagination. “Bants” is what it is all about now.
Richie Benaud, Jim Laker, John Arlott, Jack Bannister, Peter West…the names roll off the tongue. This is not my game any more.
Doh!
The public are being asked what can be done to make it easier to walk and cycle in the Bradford District. Once again our Council cannot resist showing off just how stupid they are. Ninety-odd councillors and who knows how many highly paid “executives” and they ask this?
The dimwits are going out to consultation – again! Do they consult over whether to have tea or coffee? As a concerned citizen I have responded with the following suggestions.
1 – suggest all drivers pass a driving test
2 – explain the concept of motor insurance and road tax
3 – insist that cocaine is not mandatory while driving
4 – outline the possible consequences if your car is compressed by a tree
5 – point out that Audi never intended the A3 to do 150mph
Brian Kirby says
Absolutely spot on Steve. Love it. Think you should stand as an Independent. You’d get my vote
Steve says
Hi Brian
Flattered but an Independent would not stand a chance. People vote along idiotic party lines; take David Ward as an example. I am no more Lib Dem than you but he was a good MP for Bradford before falling victim to the Clegg effect. When he stood as an independent at the last election, despite being small “c”, I voted for him because a Conservative has less chance than a cat of being elected here. Watch for more comment this week.
Regards
Steve