Those in work are encouraged to spurr on British business, those at University are schooled to drive forward the next age of innovation, and everyone pays in the form of increased VAT and inflation. All this in the name of climbing from the trough of recession. Thankfully most of our stif-upper lipped population are on board. Dutifully beavering away to put a few more cherries in the GDP pie. But I am afraid to say that we are being let down, badly.
Not necessarily by the financial policy of the new Coalition, not even by the bankers who have been so villainized in the last few months. The shoots of recovery and the gardeners who tend them are being crippled by a frosty and frankly embarrassing UK transport network. How can people be expected to pour themselves into their employment or starting new ventures when they have to sit in 2 hours of traffic jams every day? How can anyone be expected to be optimistic about travelling the country to meet new business prospects when it costs a small fortune for the pleasure of a smelly seat on a smellier train with only space age sliding toilets to brighten the journey?
The folly of it all struck me today whilst walking 300 metres through a bustling research park after being unceremoniously ejected uncomfortably far from my destination. I turned back to see the bus parked in a line of traffic as far as the eye can see, single drivers in every car and even fewer occupants on the bus.
Freedom of activity is the lifeblood of business. By strangling our ability the travel the Government and travel operators of this nation run the risk of stagnating what could otherwise be a rather jolly climb back into prosperity. Couple this with a faltering yet ever-stifling green agenda and we have an unfortunate cocktail of travel woe which shows no sign of abating.
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