This morning transport secretary, Ruth Kelly, announced that motorists will be able to drive on the hard shoulder during busy periods.
The scheme has been trialled on the M42 and there has apparently been a reduction in journey times, accidents and pollution levels.
I can see how there are benefits, but what do you do if you have a flat tyre? Or there is an accident and you have to pull over? The hard shoulder is dangerous enough when you're waiting with a broken down car, without people driving at you at high speed.
The Highways Agency has said that the hard shoulder will be closed if a car is pulled over but surely that takes time and extra man power and will cause more delays as people have to avoid cones and change lanes.
I can't help but think that the time and money they are spending on these sort of schemes and motorway widening should be pumped into improving public transport so we all use our cars less - aren't we supposed to be trying to prevent climate change after all?
Helen
Thursday, 25 October 2007
Wednesday, 10 October 2007
Bring Back Our Post!!
Royal Mail strikes have come to an end today. Or at least that's what we thought. Now there are wildcat strikes and more walkouts planned.
After four working days without any post, we're starting to realise how vital it is to the business and we're in a better position than most.
All sorts of businesses which rely on Royal Mail to survive are being seriously affected. For example, one of our clients handles direct mail campaigns and the strikes are not only affecting their business but their client's businesses as well, as campaigns are being delayed.
On a personal note, many people across the country are waiting for cheques and travel tickets to arrive, which will probably be delayed further because of the back-log. Here at Gemini, Ruth has had to pay extra to have post redirected for another month after moving house, in case items have been delayed.
I understand that postal workers aren't happy with their working conditions but the general public and the UK's businesses can't change this and it seems like we are the ones most affected. We need our post!
Helen
After four working days without any post, we're starting to realise how vital it is to the business and we're in a better position than most.
All sorts of businesses which rely on Royal Mail to survive are being seriously affected. For example, one of our clients handles direct mail campaigns and the strikes are not only affecting their business but their client's businesses as well, as campaigns are being delayed.
On a personal note, many people across the country are waiting for cheques and travel tickets to arrive, which will probably be delayed further because of the back-log. Here at Gemini, Ruth has had to pay extra to have post redirected for another month after moving house, in case items have been delayed.
I understand that postal workers aren't happy with their working conditions but the general public and the UK's businesses can't change this and it seems like we are the ones most affected. We need our post!
Helen
Monday, 8 October 2007
Leo's 'Green hotel'
The latest celebrity to jump on the ‘environmental’ bandwagon is Leonardo DiCaprio who has plans to build a ‘green hotel’ in the Central American jungle.
Now, correct me if I’m wrong, but would it not be ‘greener’ to leave the area as simply jungle as oppose to planting a tourist destination smack bang in the middle of it, attracting hundreds of tourists.
Whilst Leo will no doubt shout the usual rubbish like, it's all for the good of the planet, I suspect that it will be only the super rich who will be able to afford the luxuries this hotel will offer and Leo himself who will reap the rewards. This environmental issue really is going crazy!
You’re kind of missing the point here Leo. Stick to your day job!
Emma
Now, correct me if I’m wrong, but would it not be ‘greener’ to leave the area as simply jungle as oppose to planting a tourist destination smack bang in the middle of it, attracting hundreds of tourists.
Whilst Leo will no doubt shout the usual rubbish like, it's all for the good of the planet, I suspect that it will be only the super rich who will be able to afford the luxuries this hotel will offer and Leo himself who will reap the rewards. This environmental issue really is going crazy!
You’re kind of missing the point here Leo. Stick to your day job!
Emma
Tuesday, 2 October 2007
Modern Technology Defies Burmese Law
There was a clear indication of how modern technology has changed journalism last week with the coverage of the Burmese protests.
I saw the BBC correspondent reporting from Thailand with any updates he had, which he admitted were few and far between as no foreign media was allowed into Burma. It was fascinating then that we were able to watch video images and photographs which were taken and sent from mobile phones from there to the BBC in London - 21st Century coverage indeed.
Ruth
I saw the BBC correspondent reporting from Thailand with any updates he had, which he admitted were few and far between as no foreign media was allowed into Burma. It was fascinating then that we were able to watch video images and photographs which were taken and sent from mobile phones from there to the BBC in London - 21st Century coverage indeed.
Ruth
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