Toll bridge machines 'are a rip off' (From Daily Echo)
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Itchen Bridge toll machines 'are a rip off' say Southampton motorists
12:00pm Thursday 4th October 2012 in News
By Sian Davies, Senior News Reporter
The Itchen Bridge toll booths and Don Smith
MOTORISTS have accused council bosses of trying to rip them off after it was revealed that automated machines replacing the toll booths on the Itchen Bridge will not issue change.
Work has already begun on installing the new machines that will take payment by either a pre-paid Smartcities travel card or change being thrown into a cash bin.
But it has been revealed that the machines that will replace five manned booths are not able to issue change if the exact money is not paid.
Motorist Don Smith, 46, who uses the bridge daily to get from his home in Sholing to his work at a Northam construction firm, said he was disgusted that the new machines could not issue change.
He said: “It is a money-making operation. Simple as that. How can you charge for a service and not give change? Of course not everyone will have the right money and they aren’t going to hold up a queue of traffic.
“On top of that they will have around 1,000 more cars using these roads from the new development in Woolston. It will be chaos if people are pressing the attendance button to get some change.”
He added he hoped the work would eventually mean an improvement to the look of the Itchen Bridge Toll Plaza.
He said: “It is an appalling gateway to the city and reminds me of crossing over into 1970s East Germany.”
Cabinet member for the environment and transport Councillor Asa Thorpe said he was not able to comment on the issue of why nonchange giving machines were installed because he had just returned from holiday.
In a council statement he said the aim was for citizens to use “21st century Smart Card technology” which would remove the need to carry change when using the bridge.
Trials and testing will begin next month during which time the booths will remain fully staffed and remain so until the end of January when the bridge will be fully automated.
According to a council spokesman, the toll booth staff who hold 20 permanent posts, will be redeployed to other roles to help drivers who have difficulties.
From midnight until 6am the site will be monitored and operated remotely by CCTV and intercom.
The new system will work by sensors recognising the type of vehicle as it approaches. The toll charges will remain the same with motorcycles travelling free and cars costing 60p at peak time and 50p off peak.
However, the vehicles will be classified according to height and some vehicles may be categorised differently under the new sensor system.
Concessions will be available through the Smartcities card system but tokens will no longer be accepted once the new system has been fully installed.
Comments(64)
peter02380
says...
12:30pm Thu 4 Oct 12
dly397
says...
12:33pm Thu 4 Oct 12
Those who don't buy the pre-paid card make sure they have the correct change and either suffer the consequences (if they don't have the correct change) or get to town via a different route.
The amount of fuel used to go via a different route will probably cost less than it would to go over the bridge in the first place.
It ain't rocket science!!
Lone Ranger.
says...
12:54pm Thu 4 Oct 12
misbehaving
says...
1:11pm Thu 4 Oct 12
Lone Ranger. wrote:Or maybe they were on holiday with Thorpe so didn't know the answers to the questions either.
Thats strange Echo ....... There is no quote from Cllrs Smith or Moulton ...... Perhaps its because it was under their control that these tolls were changed.
Nicole23
says...
1:12pm Thu 4 Oct 12
Time to set a green example SCC.
Maine Lobster
says...
1:15pm Thu 4 Oct 12
dly397 wrote:Technology breaks down and then barriers don't lift or buying the cards fails for some other technical reason. Should have kept the people in the booths.
Surely the solution is for everyone to buy a pre-paid travelcard. No need for any cash at the machine. Problem solved in an instant. Those who don't buy the pre-paid card make sure they have the correct change and either suffer the consequences (if they don't have the correct change) or get to town via a different route. The amount of fuel used to go via a different route will probably cost less than it would to go over the bridge in the first place. It ain't rocket science!!
Lone Ranger.
says...
1:27pm Thu 4 Oct 12
misbehaving wrote:No they are not on holiday and neither is he .......
Lone Ranger. wrote:Or maybe they were on holiday with Thorpe so didn't know the answers to the questions either.
Thats strange Echo ....... There is no quote from Cllrs Smith or Moulton ...... Perhaps its because it was under their control that these tolls were changed.
Rockhopper
says...
1:27pm Thu 4 Oct 12
Either you keep the bridge and staff as it was or if you are automating it then some staff have to go.
What a waste of money by SCC!
Taskforce 141
says...
1:27pm Thu 4 Oct 12
Nicole23 wrote:And why should we have to pay more? we should not have to pay a toll to get to work or access OUR city centre!
The toll is too cheap, why dont they put it up to £1 at all times then people wont need change and it might stop people from using their cars.
Time to set a green example SCC.
The charge should have stopped after SCC reclaimed the cost of the bridge, however it turned out to be a big income generator and now it looks to screw people out of more money.
My solution is to get a car in each lane with no correct change and refuse to pay or proceed until change is guaranteed. This will show the money grabbing swines, that this may well be a great way to swindle more money but the residents are not happy about it.
If councillors are supposed to represent the people why are no councillors taking up the cause of the soton motorists and demanding machines to give change, they seem all to happy to jump up and down because a swingers hotel has turned up in the area and a few people complained. I guarantee you a lot more people will be affected by these machines than a swingers hotel.
DOUBLE BLOODY STANDARDS!
George4th
says...
1:30pm Thu 4 Oct 12
It's called modernisation.
How come it is nearly always the men who moan where cars/driving is concerned? Maybe because women are more organised, multi-tasking and have a "deal with it" approach!
SaintM
says...
1:32pm Thu 4 Oct 12
Contact this manager as he is useless, he also said motobikes will be free as they are environmentaly friendly and take too long to get their money out and the time it takes outweighs the delay, so if everyone takes a long time to pay they might let us all through for free.
Stupideditor
says...
1:33pm Thu 4 Oct 12
Maine Lobster wrote:Fully agree, not as if they can afford their wages as the bridge has already paid for itself. This is a tax generater for the council and it's hand shake fat cats.
dly397 wrote: Surely the solution is for everyone to buy a pre-paid travelcard. No need for any cash at the machine. Problem solved in an instant. Those who don't buy the pre-paid card make sure they have the correct change and either suffer the consequences (if they don't have the correct change) or get to town via a different route. The amount of fuel used to go via a different route will probably cost less than it would to go over the bridge in the first place. It ain't rocket science!!Technology breaks down and then barriers don't lift or buying the cards fails for some other technical reason. Should have kept the people in the booths.
They are all sat at their desk with their yes sir secretaries rubbing their hands and laughing at us. I agree with earlier comment use Northam bridge thus increasing congestion there.
Stupideditor
says...
1:33pm Thu 4 Oct 12
Maine Lobster wrote:Fully agree, not as if they can afford their wages as the bridge has already paid for itself. This is a tax generater for the council and it's hand shake fat cats.
dly397 wrote: Surely the solution is for everyone to buy a pre-paid travelcard. No need for any cash at the machine. Problem solved in an instant. Those who don't buy the pre-paid card make sure they have the correct change and either suffer the consequences (if they don't have the correct change) or get to town via a different route. The amount of fuel used to go via a different route will probably cost less than it would to go over the bridge in the first place. It ain't rocket science!!Technology breaks down and then barriers don't lift or buying the cards fails for some other technical reason. Should have kept the people in the booths.
They are all sat at their desk with their yes sir secretaries rubbing their hands and laughing at us. I agree with earlier comment use Northam bridge thus increasing congestion there.
Stupideditor
says...
1:33pm Thu 4 Oct 12
Maine Lobster wrote:Fully agree, not as if they can afford their wages as the bridge has already paid for itself. This is a tax generater for the council and it's hand shake fat cats.
dly397 wrote: Surely the solution is for everyone to buy a pre-paid travelcard. No need for any cash at the machine. Problem solved in an instant. Those who don't buy the pre-paid card make sure they have the correct change and either suffer the consequences (if they don't have the correct change) or get to town via a different route. The amount of fuel used to go via a different route will probably cost less than it would to go over the bridge in the first place. It ain't rocket science!!Technology breaks down and then barriers don't lift or buying the cards fails for some other technical reason. Should have kept the people in the booths.
They are all sat at their desk with their yes sir secretaries rubbing their hands and laughing at us. I agree with earlier comment use Northam bridge thus increasing congestion there.
Might SS
says...
1:54pm Thu 4 Oct 12
RadicalEmu
says...
2:02pm Thu 4 Oct 12
Lone Ranger. wrote:You beat me to it. Having a go at the current 'bosses' is a bit like having a dig at a last-minute substitution for the team's performance throughout the game.
Thats strange Echo ....... There is no quote from Cllrs Smith or Moulton ...... Perhaps its because it was under their control that these tolls were changed.
.
It's a done deal. However, if the machine is simply programmed to not give change, as stated above by SaintM, then we have another matter on our hands.
.
Push for the current council to reprogram the machines.
Ginger_cyclist
says...
2:03pm Thu 4 Oct 12
acid drop
says...
2:24pm Thu 4 Oct 12
sotonbusdriver wrote:Couldnt have said it better myself
The best things is to take direct action..
Get an action group together, and once they machine are operational, get as much traffic as possible to go via bitterne instead,,
With dropped revenue from the bridge taking, and hugely increased congestion in bitterne and northam, the council may just sit and listen
mellowdude
says...
2:37pm Thu 4 Oct 12
dly397 wrote:what about people from places other than Southampton? People who dont know the booths dont give change are only carrying notes? Why should they have to 'suffer the consequences' when other toll roads give change, and its only Southamptons that doesnt?
Surely the solution is for everyone to buy a pre-paid travelcard. No need for any cash at the machine. Problem solved in an instant. Those who don't buy the pre-paid card make sure they have the correct change and either suffer the consequences (if they don't have the correct change) or get to town via a different route. The amount of fuel used to go via a different route will probably cost less than it would to go over the bridge in the first place. It ain't rocket science!!
Shoong
says...
3:14pm Thu 4 Oct 12
acid drop wrote:Not a bad idea, not sure the residents of Bittern will appreciate it though.
sotonbusdriver wrote:Couldnt have said it better myself
The best things is to take direct action..
Get an action group together, and once they machine are operational, get as much traffic as possible to go via bitterne instead,,
With dropped revenue from the bridge taking, and hugely increased congestion in bitterne and northam, the council may just sit and listen
RadicalEmu
says...
3:14pm Thu 4 Oct 12
Nicole23 wrote:Are you REALLY saying that residents in Woolston/Sholing etc.. should have to pay 100% more to travel over the bridge they've been paying for since 1977?
The toll is too cheap, why dont they put it up to £1 at all times then people wont need change and it might stop people from using their cars.
Time to set a green example SCC.
Shoong
says...
3:15pm Thu 4 Oct 12
Ginger_cyclist wrote:Not a bad idea either, except this didn't go down well with my uncle who is still deep in thought on how to get a van load of plumbers tools onto a push bike.
Make them listen by either not using the bridge at all or everyone jumping on a motorbike or a bicycle as then you don't have to pay and they lose money on it, also I agree about the comments about the fact that things break down, what will they do if there's a power cut or someone vandalises the machines or they even just happen to all break down at the same time? get the people who originally worked the booths to collect money, give change and manually lift the barriers? Not bloody likely, those people would probably turn round and tell them "Eff off, it's your problem now, not ours, so bloody deal with it", they'll soon learn that those machines are a mistake.
RadicalEmu
says...
3:17pm Thu 4 Oct 12
Shoong wrote:Who said action should be comfortable? What would ever change if life could carry on as normal while a point is being made?
acid drop wrote:Not a bad idea, not sure the residents of Bittern will appreciate it though.
sotonbusdriver wrote:Couldnt have said it better myself
The best things is to take direct action..
Get an action group together, and once they machine are operational, get as much traffic as possible to go via bitterne instead,,
With dropped revenue from the bridge taking, and hugely increased congestion in bitterne and northam, the council may just sit and listen
devondumpling
says...
3:34pm Thu 4 Oct 12
to moan about i use the bridge quite frequently and cant see a problem
dont agree on any price increase thoughas i live in sholing
Shoong
says...
3:39pm Thu 4 Oct 12
RadicalEmu wrote:I'm not, but do the residents of bittern have to suffer because of your protest (just as it is)? Are you just not transplanting the problem somewhere else?
Shoong wrote:Who said action should be comfortable? What would ever change if life could carry on as normal while a point is being made?
acid drop wrote:Not a bad idea, not sure the residents of Bittern will appreciate it though.
sotonbusdriver wrote:Couldnt have said it better myself
The best things is to take direct action..
Get an action group together, and once they machine are operational, get as much traffic as possible to go via bitterne instead,,
With dropped revenue from the bridge taking, and hugely increased congestion in bitterne and northam, the council may just sit and listen
sotonbusdriver
says...
4:02pm Thu 4 Oct 12
Shoong wrote:When anyone takes any action, someone somewhere suffers....
RadicalEmu wrote:I'm not, but do the residents of bittern have to suffer because of your protest (just as it is)? Are you just not transplanting the problem somewhere else?
Shoong wrote:Who said action should be comfortable? What would ever change if life could carry on as normal while a point is being made?
acid drop wrote:Not a bad idea, not sure the residents of Bittern will appreciate it though.
sotonbusdriver wrote:Couldnt have said it better myself
The best things is to take direct action..
Get an action group together, and once they machine are operational, get as much traffic as possible to go via bitterne instead,,
With dropped revenue from the bridge taking, and hugely increased congestion in bitterne and northam, the council may just sit and listen
Unless the Council were to get a string of complaints from those in Bitterne, they wouldn't do anything...
The Toll Booths, are a Money making racket that this Council promised in manifestos in 1977 when the bridge opened, that once the initial cost of building was paid off they would make the usage free... But typical of Southampton Council, they have constantly complained about repairs, up keep, etc to keep the money coming in....
I would love to see the Accounts for the bridge and see the details, which would more than likely prove it's just an income source now,,,
sass
says...
4:02pm Thu 4 Oct 12
Shoong wrote:Why are some districts discriminated against with tolls? Either eliminate tolls or put them on all major routes into the city center.
RadicalEmu wrote:I'm not, but do the residents of bittern have to suffer because of your protest (just as it is)? Are you just not transplanting the problem somewhere else?Shoong wrote:Who said action should be comfortable? What would ever change if life could carry on as normal while a point is being made?acid drop wrote:Not a bad idea, not sure the residents of Bittern will appreciate it though.sotonbusdriver wrote: The best things is to take direct action.. Get an action group together, and once they machine are operational, get as much traffic as possible to go via bitterne instead,, With dropped revenue from the bridge taking, and hugely increased congestion in bitterne and northam, the council may just sit and listenCouldnt have said it better myself
Fair is fair.
sfby
says...
4:05pm Thu 4 Oct 12
Taskforce 141 wrote:"And why should we have to pay more? we should not have to pay a toll to get to work or access OUR city centre!"
Nicole23 wrote: The toll is too cheap, why dont they put it up to £1 at all times then people wont need change and it might stop people from using their cars. Time to set a green example SCC.And why should we have to pay more? we should not have to pay a toll to get to work or access OUR city centre! The charge should have stopped after SCC reclaimed the cost of the bridge, however it turned out to be a big income generator and now it looks to screw people out of more money. My solution is to get a car in each lane with no correct change and refuse to pay or proceed until change is guaranteed. This will show the money grabbing swines, that this may well be a great way to swindle more money but the residents are not happy about it. If councillors are supposed to represent the people why are no councillors taking up the cause of the soton motorists and demanding machines to give change, they seem all to happy to jump up and down because a swingers hotel has turned up in the area and a few people complained. I guarantee you a lot more people will be affected by these machines than a swingers hotel. DOUBLE BLOODY STANDARDS!
Taskforce - you don't have to pay a toll at all - go via the Northam Bridge, take the bus, cycle - plenty of other options...
RadicalEmu
says...
4:23pm Thu 4 Oct 12
Shoong wrote:I don't use the bridge much, so it's not my protest.. But yes, reducing the bridge's revenue and causing traffic chaos would be a form of protest that might steer the council into giving people their fair change for passage over the bridge.
RadicalEmu wrote:I'm not, but do the residents of bittern have to suffer because of your protest (just as it is)? Are you just not transplanting the problem somewhere else?
Shoong wrote:Who said action should be comfortable? What would ever change if life could carry on as normal while a point is being made?
acid drop wrote:Not a bad idea, not sure the residents of Bittern will appreciate it though.
sotonbusdriver wrote:Couldnt have said it better myself
The best things is to take direct action..
Get an action group together, and once they machine are operational, get as much traffic as possible to go via bitterne instead,,
With dropped revenue from the bridge taking, and hugely increased congestion in bitterne and northam, the council may just sit and listen
biggus2
says...
4:50pm Thu 4 Oct 12
No doubt some joker in Portsmouth City Council will want to introduce tolls of the M275
arthur dalyrimple
says...
5:17pm Thu 4 Oct 12
sass wrote:you live in western portsmouth ,the tolls should be much higher !!!!!!!!!!!
Shoong wrote:Why are some districts discriminated against with tolls? Either eliminate tolls or put them on all major routes into the city center.
RadicalEmu wrote:I'm not, but do the residents of bittern have to suffer because of your protest (just as it is)? Are you just not transplanting the problem somewhere else?Shoong wrote:Who said action should be comfortable? What would ever change if life could carry on as normal while a point is being made?acid drop wrote:Not a bad idea, not sure the residents of Bittern will appreciate it though.sotonbusdriver wrote: The best things is to take direct action.. Get an action group together, and once they machine are operational, get as much traffic as possible to go via bitterne instead,, With dropped revenue from the bridge taking, and hugely increased congestion in bitterne and northam, the council may just sit and listenCouldnt have said it better myself
Fair is fair.
Redondo Saint
says...
5:19pm Thu 4 Oct 12
Citizens?
What happened to 'residents'?
Redondo Saint
says...
5:19pm Thu 4 Oct 12
Citizens?
What happened to 'residents'?
Maine Lobster
says...
5:54pm Thu 4 Oct 12
George4th wrote:Or maybe you are just a bigot?
Oh the poor diddums Motorists!
It's called modernisation.
How come it is nearly always the men who moan where cars/driving is concerned? Maybe because women are more organised, multi-tasking and have a "deal with it" approach!
sotonbusdriver
says...
6:19pm Thu 4 Oct 12
Redondo Saint wrote:21st century Smart Card.... Is another way of saying BIG BROTHER,,,
In a council statement he said the aim was for citizens to use “21st century Smart Card technology” which would remove the need to carry change when using the bridge.
Citizens?
What happened to 'residents'?
Those using Smart Cards, they will know even more than they do already...
George4th
says...
6:40pm Thu 4 Oct 12
Maine Lobster wrote:"bigot"!
George4th wrote:Or maybe you are just a bigot?
Oh the poor diddums Motorists!
It's called modernisation.
How come it is nearly always the men who moan where cars/driving is concerned? Maybe because women are more organised, multi-tasking and have a "deal with it" approach!
Is that your total contribution to this article?!
You are lazy and always using that word when you cannot offer a reasonable comment in reply.
Maine Lobster
says...
7:24pm Thu 4 Oct 12
My previous contribution to this article you overlooked, but then why break the habit of your lifetime?
Maine Lobster
says...
7:36pm Thu 4 Oct 12
My previous contribution to this article you overlooked, but then why break the habit of your lifetime?
D.a.v.e
says...
7:39pm Thu 4 Oct 12
These machines will stay and they will cause long delays and our council will hail them a success no matter how many front page headlines.
George4th
says...
8:14pm Thu 4 Oct 12
Maine Lobster wrote:Thank you for your spelling mistakes and your incisive cantankerous observations.
Can't you work it out? Your patronising contibutions are prevolent here and have no objectivity whatsoever. The stereotypes that you quote in your sanctimonious opening remark lay testament to that.
My previous contribution to this article you overlooked, but then why break the habit of your lifetime?
Strange that no one else took my remarks to heart, only you?!
You have a stalkers habit where my posts are concerned and I would consider it a big favour if you would desist from replying to any of my comments - Thank you.
bazzeroz
says...
8:35pm Thu 4 Oct 12
kevin007
says...
9:00pm Thu 4 Oct 12
chunky_lover
says...
9:22pm Thu 4 Oct 12
Ginger_cyclist
says...
9:28pm Thu 4 Oct 12
Shoong wrote:A large cycle trailer or a dutch cargo bike.
Ginger_cyclist wrote:Not a bad idea either, except this didn't go down well with my uncle who is still deep in thought on how to get a van load of plumbers tools onto a push bike.
Make them listen by either not using the bridge at all or everyone jumping on a motorbike or a bicycle as then you don't have to pay and they lose money on it, also I agree about the comments about the fact that things break down, what will they do if there's a power cut or someone vandalises the machines or they even just happen to all break down at the same time? get the people who originally worked the booths to collect money, give change and manually lift the barriers? Not bloody likely, those people would probably turn round and tell them "Eff off, it's your problem now, not ours, so bloody deal with it", they'll soon learn that those machines are a mistake.
Ginger_cyclist
says...
9:40pm Thu 4 Oct 12
chunky_lover wrote:"Low class people", you mean pretty much everyone who lives on the Woolston side of the bridge who are working class residents right? Because without them going to work or going to do what they have to each and everyday, you would probably have to pay through the nose to use the bridge, probably up to £10 per crossing but even then you'd complain because of the cost, face it, the reason it's only 50p to 60p per car is BECAUSE of all those "low class people" who use the **** bridge along with you, so shut up and put up with it or find somewhere closer to your job to live that doesn't involve using the bridge.
It should be at the very least £2 per crossing to reduce the traffic/flow of low class people who clog up the roads for us go getters.
Maine Lobster
says...
10:35pm Thu 4 Oct 12
George4th wrote:Consider your postings and you won't provoke the anger you seem to revel in stoking.
Maine Lobster wrote:Thank you for your spelling mistakes and your incisive cantankerous observations.
Can't you work it out? Your patronising contibutions are prevolent here and have no objectivity whatsoever. The stereotypes that you quote in your sanctimonious opening remark lay testament to that.
My previous contribution to this article you overlooked, but then why break the habit of your lifetime?
Strange that no one else took my remarks to heart, only you?!
You have a stalkers habit where my posts are concerned and I would consider it a big favour if you would desist from replying to any of my comments - Thank you.
Randers
says...
10:52pm Thu 4 Oct 12
It's just a congestion charge for the Eastern residents of Southampton. No charge to enter from the West. It's got a bit of a smell to it.
Ginger_cyclist
says...
11:03pm Thu 4 Oct 12
Randers wrote:I'm pretty sure you still have to pay when coming across from the west.
Vote with your feet (or wheels) don't use the bridge. Leave early and go via Northam or Cobden bridge for a while. That will hurt. Use a bicycle? Bus? Walk?
It's just a congestion charge for the Eastern residents of Southampton. No charge to enter from the West. It's got a bit of a smell to it.
Ginger_cyclist
says...
11:04pm Thu 4 Oct 12
Ginger_cyclist wrote:Never mind that, It was a moment of not understanding it properly. Carry on.
Randers wrote:I'm pretty sure you still have to pay when coming across from the west.
Vote with your feet (or wheels) don't use the bridge. Leave early and go via Northam or Cobden bridge for a while. That will hurt. Use a bicycle? Bus? Walk?
It's just a congestion charge for the Eastern residents of Southampton. No charge to enter from the West. It's got a bit of a smell to it.
tootle
says...
11:25pm Thu 4 Oct 12
IronLady2010
says...
12:20am Fri 5 Oct 12
But, surely in this 'Green' climate the Council should be encouraging the shortest route?
We have a choice, use the bridge or pay extra in fuel. Simple really.
andysaints007
says...
12:30am Fri 5 Oct 12
sotonbusdriver wrote:You are such a pr*ck mate - you really are!
Redondo Saint wrote:21st century Smart Card.... Is another way of saying BIG BROTHER,,,
In a council statement he said the aim was for citizens to use “21st century Smart Card technology” which would remove the need to carry change when using the bridge.
Citizens?
What happened to 'residents'?
Those using Smart Cards, they will know even more than they do already...
What details on a smart card are going to be personal? Please tell us all because you seem to know so much about it!
If the toll was free we would just pay more council tax to make up the shortfall and then you will all be whinging about that on here !
dolomiteman
says...
3:18am Fri 5 Oct 12
dly397 wrote:So what about the folk who are from out of the area who are visiting for a day?
Surely the solution is for everyone to buy a pre-paid travelcard. No need for any cash at the machine. Problem solved in an instant.
Those who don't buy the pre-paid card make sure they have the correct change and either suffer the consequences (if they don't have the correct change) or get to town via a different route.
The amount of fuel used to go via a different route will probably cost less than it would to go over the bridge in the first place.
It ain't rocket science!!
And who's stupid idea was it to rate the charge based on height?
oooarrr
says...
8:03am Fri 5 Oct 12
sotonbusdriver wrote:Go to here
Shoong wrote:When anyone takes any action, someone somewhere suffers....
RadicalEmu wrote:I'm not, but do the residents of bittern have to suffer because of your protest (just as it is)? Are you just not transplanting the problem somewhere else?
Shoong wrote:Who said action should be comfortable? What would ever change if life could carry on as normal while a point is being made?
acid drop wrote:Not a bad idea, not sure the residents of Bittern will appreciate it though.
sotonbusdriver wrote:Couldnt have said it better myself
The best things is to take direct action..
Get an action group together, and once they machine are operational, get as much traffic as possible to go via bitterne instead,,
With dropped revenue from the bridge taking, and hugely increased congestion in bitterne and northam, the council may just sit and listen
Unless the Council were to get a string of complaints from those in Bitterne, they wouldn't do anything...
The Toll Booths, are a Money making racket that this Council promised in manifestos in 1977 when the bridge opened, that once the initial cost of building was paid off they would make the usage free... But typical of Southampton Council, they have constantly complained about repairs, up keep, etc to keep the money coming in....
I would love to see the Accounts for the bridge and see the details, which would more than likely prove it's just an income source now,,,
http://www.whatdothe
yknow.com
Make a FOI request, it's free and they HAVE to answer.
Just make sure you ask specific questions though, they only have to give information that is requested and no more.
Do a check first though because once a question is asked it gets put on the site in the public domain so the answer may already be there.
Mr E
says...
9:38am Fri 5 Oct 12
I am just glad I moved away from Woolston and don't need to use it any more.
Shoong
says...
10:25am Fri 5 Oct 12
Ginger_cyclist wrote:Nice one, smart arze.
Shoong wrote:A large cycle trailer or a dutch cargo bike.
Ginger_cyclist wrote:Not a bad idea either, except this didn't go down well with my uncle who is still deep in thought on how to get a van load of plumbers tools onto a push bike.
Make them listen by either not using the bridge at all or everyone jumping on a motorbike or a bicycle as then you don't have to pay and they lose money on it, also I agree about the comments about the fact that things break down, what will they do if there's a power cut or someone vandalises the machines or they even just happen to all break down at the same time? get the people who originally worked the booths to collect money, give change and manually lift the barriers? Not bloody likely, those people would probably turn round and tell them "Eff off, it's your problem now, not ours, so bloody deal with it", they'll soon learn that those machines are a mistake.
MGRA
says...
10:37am Fri 5 Oct 12
George4th
says...
11:04am Fri 5 Oct 12
Maine Lobster wrote:"Consider your postings and you won't provoke the anger ."
George4th wrote:Consider your postings and you won't provoke the anger you seem to revel in stoking.
Maine Lobster wrote:Thank you for your spelling mistakes and your incisive cantankerous observations.
Can't you work it out? Your patronising contibutions are prevolent here and have no objectivity whatsoever. The stereotypes that you quote in your sanctimonious opening remark lay testament to that.
My previous contribution to this article you overlooked, but then why break the habit of your lifetime?
Strange that no one else took my remarks to heart, only you?!
You have a stalkers habit where my posts are concerned and I would consider it a big favour if you would desist from replying to any of my comments - Thank you.
What are you talking about? You are the ONLY one who has passed a comment! You are creating your own anger, not me!
Ginger_cyclist
says...
11:26am Fri 5 Oct 12
Shoong wrote:There's a guy in Weymouth who does it, he can carry all his tools, a ladder, a hoover, pipes and other stuff on his custom built bike, just google "Jones the pipe" and it should be the first link on the first page.
Ginger_cyclist wrote:Nice one, smart arze.
Shoong wrote:A large cycle trailer or a dutch cargo bike.
Ginger_cyclist wrote:Not a bad idea either, except this didn't go down well with my uncle who is still deep in thought on how to get a van load of plumbers tools onto a push bike.
Make them listen by either not using the bridge at all or everyone jumping on a motorbike or a bicycle as then you don't have to pay and they lose money on it, also I agree about the comments about the fact that things break down, what will they do if there's a power cut or someone vandalises the machines or they even just happen to all break down at the same time? get the people who originally worked the booths to collect money, give change and manually lift the barriers? Not bloody likely, those people would probably turn round and tell them "Eff off, it's your problem now, not ours, so bloody deal with it", they'll soon learn that those machines are a mistake.
dolomiteman
says...
3:09pm Fri 5 Oct 12
MGRA wrote:You are eths ecound person to make the 'its not rocket science' remark on this thread but what you are forgetting is that this is a SCC project so to them it is way past the realms of rocket science.
clearly no feasibility study was done for this project, the way forward was to have one manned booth per side and three auto coin bins and sensor lanes... the middle lane swapping direction depending on the time of day. If you want change, you use the manned booth. Its not rocket science.
lisa whitemore
says...
5:25pm Fri 5 Oct 12
sotonbusdriver wrote:the council or labour will not listen to the publics view on this as they do not care and will not listen and thats a fact!!
The best things is to take direct action..
Get an action group together, and once they machine are operational, get as much traffic as possible to go via bitterne instead,,
With dropped revenue from the bridge taking, and hugely increased congestion in bitterne and northam, the council may just sit and listen
lisa whitemore
says...
5:36pm Fri 5 Oct 12
dly397 wrote:your mising the point that there is still a charge to use the bridge, its paid for itself over and again so should be free to use!
Surely the solution is for everyone to buy a pre-paid travelcard. No need for any cash at the machine. Problem solved in an instant.
Those who don't buy the pre-paid card make sure they have the correct change and either suffer the consequences (if they don't have the correct change) or get to town via a different route.
The amount of fuel used to go via a different route will probably cost less than it would to go over the bridge in the first place.
It ain't rocket science!!
Ginger_cyclist
says...
11:36pm Fri 5 Oct 12
lisa whitemore wrote:To be honest, since when has the council EVER listened to the people of Southampton?
sotonbusdriver wrote:the council or labour will not listen to the publics view on this as they do not care and will not listen and thats a fact!!
The best things is to take direct action..
Get an action group together, and once they machine are operational, get as much traffic as possible to go via bitterne instead,,
With dropped revenue from the bridge taking, and hugely increased congestion in bitterne and northam, the council may just sit and listen
sotonbusdriver says...
12:19pm Thu 4 Oct 12
Get an action group together, and once they machine are operational, get as much traffic as possible to go via bitterne instead,,
With dropped revenue from the bridge taking, and hugely increased congestion in bitterne and northam, the council may just sit and listen