Where Was the Live Text?
I like to view the live text as a match is progressing, especially when you have the crap ITV commentary. But it wasn’t there today! Or at least I couldn’t find it!
Doubts About Guided Busways
Over the last few months, I have been watching the progress, or should that be non-progress, of the Cambridge Busway with interest. Now one of the transport experts from Salford University, Richard Knowles, has been very forthright about the project and another busway proposed for Greater Manchester. His views are in this report on the BBC.
This is an extract.
“The idea is a good one,” he added, “but guided busways have always been promoted on the basis that they’re a lot quicker and cheaper to build than light rail systems.
“However, in Cambridgeshire, it’s 10 years since the multi-modal study recommended it and the budget at that time was half what it looks like it’s going to cost, and it’s well out of time.
“The contract was let in 2006. It’s now 2010 and it’s still not open.”
Prof. Knowles said the Cambridgeshire guided bus scheme was “a guinea pig”.
“It’s the national trial project, if you like, for guided busways.
“This is why the government put a huge amount of money into it, because it is the pilot project for guided busways in Britain.
“So other guided busway schemes clearly want to see what happens in Cambridgeshire and learn the lessons.”
It’s a pity for Cambridge, that the guinea pig wasn’t some other council.
In fact, I needed the busway today, as I had to get from the city centre to Addenbrookes. So I had to get a normal bus, which incidentally was very convenient and reliable.
Why the Fuss About the Coles’ Divorce?
You want to try losing your wife after being together for forty years!
You have a choice about getting divorced, but being widowed is rarely you or your partner’s fault!
I really do object to the amount of time spent on the break-up of the marriage between two complete non-entities! Especially on Radio 5, this morning!
The ICC Does the Right Thing
The ICC has done the right thing in suspending the three Pakistani cricketers accused of being involved in a betting scandal.
The cricketers may or may not be involved, but you can imagine the atmosphere in say Cardiff, if they had been allowed to play. Sports fans in that city are noted for their humour.
But for the Pakistani High Commisioner to claim that the important video was made later is a disgrace.
I have a feeling that this incident will run and run. Let’s hope that the ICC and England continue to act in the fair-minded way they have up to now.
The FA’s Bad Timing
When England played their qualifiers for the 2010 World Cup, I saw two; Belarus away and Kazakhstan at home.
I shall not be going to the Bulgaria match tonight despite tickets still being available and the fact that I would have liked to. The match kicks off at 8:00, which means it will be very difficult for me to get home, unless I left the match early! I would not be able to get to Liverpool Street in time for a train , that would allow me to get a taxi.
Tickets are still available! so I wonder how many others fans are not going, as they will have transport problems after the game, either through distance, health like me, or perhaps bcause they have would like to take their kids.
And then to cap it all, the match is on that awful medium for football; ITV. I might have the pictures on, but I will be listening to the excellent commentary on BBC Radio 5.
This football fan is seriously pissed off!
According to the BBC this morning, the late start is a UEFA idea to appease the big clubs. But then I suspect that the old farts running that so-called organisation, aren’t real fans and don’t have the transport problems or other responsibilities, that many of us have!
The Anonymous Widower 