In an effort to solve the perennial parking problem in Ripon, Harrogate Borough Council have hit upon an ingenious idea: it involves almost no planning and indeed no thought process whatsoever, which is fortunate as our beloved (sic) council is woefully inept on both fronts. The great thing about this plan is that it is all inclusive, in that you end up parking even if you don't want to. Yes, it's the brilliant introduction of a jolly, flashing array of traffic lights. We used to have a hill here in Ripon almost universally known as 'Traffic Light Hill' - a redundant nomenclature now since EVERY hill and junction has its own set of Blinking Blight Lights.
Traffic lights take our eyes off the road. They make us stop when it's safe to go. They cause congestion and needless delay. They outlaw discretion, defy common sense, encourage speeding and license aggression. They waste fuel, deface streetscapes and pollute the air. They cost the Earth to install and run. By contrast, when lights are out of action, courtesy thrives and congestion dissolves.
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3 comments:
I've grown a beard at those lights
When the lights at the jnction of Allhallowgate, Stonebridgegate and Priest Lane are not working, it is a scene of typical English courtesy and forebearance such as I remember from my early days of driving here in the late 1940s. Mind you, I was usually tipsy on gin by ten in the morning back then, so the few other drivers who were around generally gave me a wide berth in any case. But I entirely agree with the nub of your thrust that traffic lights are a needless contrivance in much of Ripon. Keep up the good work, young man.
Dear Lavinia, How lovely to read your reminiscences of a now faded and lost England. I can only assume, given the late hour of your comment and its lucidity that you have forsaken the gin in favour of mint tea or some such? In any case I must take issue with you over the habit of drinking gin whilst driving - It is dangerous & wasteful - I have tried it myself on many occasions and it has almost invariably resulted in spillage.
Much love...H
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