Tuesday 26th - Fact of the day....

[SmokeEm]

On THIS very day in 1797, the Bank of England introduced the £1 note..

 

 

Apparantly, mk2Jo remembers it well

[Vista]

On a less popular note, it was also today in 2002 that Red Ken announced the congestion charge (then £5) for central London.

 

Good thing or bad thing? Anyone live or commute regularly to central London? I was there with my father a few weeks ago and his take (he was born and bred in London) was that whilst he'd hate paying it, it had significantly reduced traffic congestion and pollution.

[mk2 mike]

Don't get me started about the congestion charge. Although I live in Essex now I was born and grew up up in London, and still work in central London.

 

In my opinion it hasn't made a blind bit of difference. The city is still at a standstill in the mornings and evenings. Those that need to drive in the city still do and always will. the congestion is mainly caused by busses and taxis who don't pay the charge (anyone who knows the city will know about Bishopsgate, its not uncommon to see a dozen busses lined up in a row and a line of 40-40 black cabs near Liverpool street, blocking the carriageway completely.

 

The surrounding area is horrific, as people trying to skirt around the charge, my mum lives on the edge of the zone, and its not uncommon to take 30 minutes to drive from hers a through the city for a mile.

 

Anyway, that aside, interesting facts!

[SmokeEm]

Re The congestion charge, I have no opinion as I don't live in, nor go into central London but what I do know is that it MUST have had a negative effect on trade/tourism because I cannot be the only one that sometimes says I fancy a day out in London to see a few things/have a decent meal out etc, and now won't go because I won't pay to drive on roads I already pay my tax for & going on the train is not my cup of tea either so I stay away altogether

[Stiggy]

Here's another fact most don't know.

 

The Bank Of England is not owned by England.

 

It is privately owned just like the USS of A's Federal Reserve.

[Stiggy]

Don't get me started about the congestion charge. Although I live in Essex now I was born and grew up up in London, and still work in central London.

 

In my opinion it hasn't made a blind bit of difference. The city is still at a standstill in the mornings and evenings. Those that need to drive in the city still do and always will. the congestion is mainly caused by busses and taxis who don't pay the charge (anyone who knows the city will know about Bishopsgate, its not uncommon to see a dozen busses lined up in a row and a line of 40-40 black cabs near Liverpool street, blocking the carriageway completely.

 

The surrounding area is horrific, as people trying to skirt around the charge, my mum lives on the edge of the zone, and its not uncommon to take 30 minutes to drive from hers a through the city for a mile.

 

Anyway, that aside, interesting facts!

 

It has changed something, it's made those that have to use it poorer.

[Mk2Jo]

Apparantly, mk2Jo remembers it well

 

I remember the day well ... I couldn't get to work because of the hold ups in central London caused by the new horse and carriage congestion charge that had just been introduced

[Mk2Jo]

Apparantly, mk2Jo remembers it well

 

I remember the day well ... I couldn't get to work because of the hold ups in central London caused by the new horse and carriage congestion charge that had just been introduced