Seasonal insanity of travel

Nice article from Simon Jenkins, questioning our assumed right to travel. I think he makes some great points:

…the government pursues a policy of closing such local institutions as primary schools, cottage hospitals and post offices and encouraging out of town shopping and rural housing estates. All lead to an increase in the need for motor travel. If a hospital visit requires a drive of 50 rather than five miles, the NHS does not pay but someone does; indeed everyone does.

At the height of this year’s recession, the only industry accorded the lifebelt of direct subsidy, courtesy of Lord Mandelson, was cars. They alone were protected from the plunge in general demand orchestrated by Alistair Darling to find money to rescue his beloved banks. I noticed no bicycle scrappage scheme, let alone a walking-boot one.

As Jenkins points out , because ‘hypermobility’, though damaging, is a token of our freedom, no politician will touch it.

But I agree with the commenter who wondered if Jenkins would press his wisdom on those queuing at airports, etc…

And I am a little hypocritical in recommending this piece, since we catch the train to Norfolk this evening.