21. POLLUTION.
'IT IS WISE LOOKING FAR AHEAD. IT IS FOOLISH LOOKING FURTHER THAN WE CAN SEE'.
Already we have touched upon 'light' pollution which, most definitely, is important driving a car and anybody interested in road statistics will enjoy this chapter in 1288. So much reading, so many ideas and so much about pontificating.
For sure what will be implemented, when the time is ripe, is that every parked vehicle's engine must be switched off immediately. Similarly, technology is to hand switching off the engine when stopped in traffic, at traffic lights, in queues, when ever the engine is not required. Golf buggies have been perfected in their attack on pollution.
Polluting is only one in a problem extending to the shortage of water, and the like, which always will leave the planner in a quandary as the population increased and, certainly, the enormous increase in the total number of cars on our roads; we are keeping foreign manufacturers in luxurious profit.
Once was the time when our grand parents were walking to school and enjoying greater fitness. Now political ineptitude has allowed our streets to be full of gangs of drug addicts. Have you heard of any plans to rectify this horrendous problem?
It is not only car emissions which are a problem but anything to do with a car is easy pray which is why governments set so much store on the villain of the piece, the car. Drivers might argue that if we can park more easily and quicker less will be emissions. At the same time, industry has spent £300 millions meeting new standards for diesel fuel. Information which is not broadcast is that the cleaner fuel offers five per cent poorer fuel economy, costing the motorist in excess of 22p on every gallon of fuel, for what?
Squabbling about the virtues of road or rail travel have become monotonous until the subject has ceased to be entertaining. Time there will be when people will drive onto trains, similar to the Channel Tunnel, and drive off refreshed at their destination. What has discouraged this plan has been the meagre mentality of a work force steeped in National ineptitude when profit never has been a motivator. Times will change!
'There is not anywhere as quiet as a deserted railway station'.