Reassuringly, people who signed a petition protesting against tolls on UK roads received a response from the Prime Minister on 15 January. Less reassuringly, Brown seems to…
Missing the point
Reassuringly, people who signed a petition protesting against tolls on UK roads received a response from the Prime Minister on 15 January.
Less reassuringly, Brown seems to miss the point somewhat in his email.
Although the most concerning issue for a lot of road users is the introduction of further charges, Brown focuses on the existing tolls.
Tolls have existed in similar forms to those seen today since the 18th century. If there were going to be a mass protest against them, surely there would have been more audible grumblings of discontent by now.
By choosing to focus on the definition of an antiquated point, Brown has failed to offer any clarification on the more contentious contemporary issue of ‘per mile’ road charging.
He points to Tony Blair’s response to a previous petition on the matter of road charging that attracted more than 1.8 million signatures. This is from the man who has sought to distance himself from his predecessor since taking over the premiership.
If there was time to respond to the petition, then surely there was time to formulate an update on the matter that clearly causes concern to a large group of people.
