Re: A303 to go into a tunnel eventually? | Forum

Stonehenge and its Environs 134

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A303 to go into a tunnel eventually?

tjj Oct 1, 2013 08:27:18

Replying to harestonesdown

Yes, I know that train travel is expensive - coaches are cheaper but take longer. Cars are seductive, once we have one, or even access to one, they are hard to live without - and I'm not advocating getting rid them, even though it is only a century ago when no one had a car. People used trams, trains and perhaps still the canal system. We can't turn back time but we can kick our collective addiction to speed and the personal desire to get everywhere in the shortest possible time.

It's hard not be a hypocrite on this subject. Mustard wished me 'good luck' with my post. Good luck indeed to future generations having to deal with global warming and diminishing sources of energy - let's not forget that the internet uses a massive amount of energy itself. I can only see dark times for the human race - though I suspect our planet will make the necessary adjustments to survive.

Sorry to be such a pessimist - I've been banging this drum all my life, no one seemed to be listening then and they are not listening still - except people like 'thesweetcheat' and g/f ... thank you!

Right, shutting up again for a bit.

nigelswift Oct 1, 2013 08:37:33

Replying to tjj

"we can kick our collective addiction to speed"

Yes.
It won't save the planet but it would help if speed limits were lowered. And the immature Mr Clarkson was hung.
Instead, there's talk of increasing it to 80 on motorways.

Mustard Oct 1, 2013 09:16:08

Replying to tjj

tjj wrote:

Of course 100 years ago, most antiquarian sites were the preserve of the wealthy classes, because the poor couldn't afford to get to them - let alone afford the leisure time to make the journey.

Which touches upon another point. You refer to an addiction to speed, but the reality is that speed is bred by time pressure. I'd love to have the luxury to tour Scotland at a leisurely pace, for example, but the demands of work mean that that isn't an option.

tjj wrote:

I don't believe we should be blind to the damage we're doing, but nor do I subscribe to some Malthusian view of the future. The human race is incredibly ingenious once its back's against the wall, and there are some really interesting potential energy sources out there. I don't doubt that the challenges can be met, but will we ever desist from severely degrading the environment around us? I doubt it. It seems to be in our nature. Dartmoor was deforested before the Romans even set foot in Britain.

nix Oct 1, 2013 09:18:12

Replying to tjj

tjj wrote:

We can't turn back time but we can kick our collective addiction to speed and the personal desire to get everywhere in the shortest possible time.

.. Good luck indeed to future generations having to deal with global warming and diminishing sources of energy - let's not forget that the internet uses a massive amount of energy itself. .

"There is no getting around getting around" - wasn't that Julian Cope?

Our culture wouldn't be where it is with the mobility we have. I doubt future generations would want to be with out the benefits of that culture. Cars, the internet, drugs are neutral things - just open to abuse.

I see a much more positive picture - I see things getting better, people starting to behave more responsibly, roads being closed, more bike lanes, better conservation, more awareness - probably in a large part to the repeated protests and efforts of people like yourself - just takes a bit of time and often seems painfully slow!