TRO 865 - Proposed Traffic Regulation  Order on the A 56 Sutton Causeway between Frodsham and Sutton Weaver.

A proposal has been submitted by Councillor Lynn Riley of Frodsham to Cheshire West and Chester Highway Agency to alter traffic flow at the Clifton Road T junction on the A 56 by the swing bridge.  The proposal calls for all traffic heading towards Sutton Weaver and northward on the A 56 to turn left at the above junction which has originally been controlled by traffic lights and travel to the motorway roundabout and double back to the T junction taking the left turn northward.  Proposal is shown below.  The proposal states that road users going northwards towards Sutton Weaver turn left at the junction, travel westerly along Clifton Road to the motorway roundabout, negotiate the roundabout, double back on themselves and travel along easterly to the A 557 Clifton back to the A 56 junction and turn left on the A 56.  This will increase the journey by a mile  (1.6 km).  



There was no consultation held with regards to this with the people affected.  A meeting was convened two days before the closing date for objections, and by the tone of the meeting it felt that it was solely an information sharing meeting and was unlikely to affect the proposal.
Although the meeting was held at short notice, it was well attended. There were more objectors than the meeting hall could accommodate.  

There is another proposal by a private development company, the Stepping Stones Group on land the company owns adjacent to Clifton Road and the A 56. A photographic representation is shown below. The meeting was informed at the start, however, that this proposal was not on the agenda and was not for discussion at this meeting.  This proposal is conditional upon the council granting development permits for further developments locally or exchange of suitable development land.




There may also be another cheaper and easier solution.  The junction is wide enough to accommodate a roundabout similar in size to the one at the junction of the A 56 Warrington Road and A 533 Northwich Road.  There is, also, sufficient land beside the canal opposite Stepping Stones land to slightly widen the junction if necessary.  I have seen such work being carried out in a town in Burgundy in France, and the building work was completed from start to finish in one week.  This is an ideal solution and it can be done by temporarily using the current northward bound land as the southerly and westerly lane and traffic to Sutton Weaver using Halton Station Road.  This can be done whilst the temporary remains in place. It must be acknowledged that this will cause inconvenience to residents of Halton Station Road for a very short time.  It should also be made clear to HGV drivers exiting the motorway and going to the Whitehouse Industrial Estate that they must use the appropriate expressways and not Halton Station Road. The map below shows the Junction with a small cross.




The Riley/Dawson proposal has one and only one advantage.  It creates a free traffic flow for the residents of Frodsham to and from the motorway.  However, it has several disadvantages including the inconvenience that this will cause to road users travelling northwards from Frodsham.  

1. Road users will have to travel a whole extra mile (1.6 km).
2. There will be an increase in pollution and pollutants in a time when we are trying to reduce these. 
3.  I fear for our cyclists.  They will not only have to travel an extra mile (1.6 km) but will have to compete with all other traffic including HGVs (both left and right hand driven), negotiate a very busy motorway junction, particularly, having to turn right to double back on themselves.  This is asking for fatal road accidents and putting lives at risk. 
4. It is going to add additional journey time to rescue services coming from the Frodsham direction, specially, the Fire Service and the police.  
5. It is going to increase traffic flow through Halton Station Road by Frodsham Traffic going to Runcorn Shopping Centre and by a majority of Runcorn traffic heading from the Frodsham direction to Runcorn.  This will cause a permanent inconvenience and disruption for Halton Road residents.  Additionally, Halton Road is not suitable for heavy traffic. 
6. Closure of junction 12 or 14 of the M 56 motorway or heavy traffic on the said motorway will also have an impact on the A 56 traffic causing further disruptions. This a regular and recurrent problem now, and it is going to get worse.
7. Many road users presently avoid using the A 56 because of the temporary traffic changes.  Once the work is completed and the road reopens, normal traffic will resume using that route and it will be "murder" turning right at that junction.

None of the above issues appear to have been taken into consideration.  In my opinion, it is the most absurd proposal ever.

Unfortunately, it is highly unlikely that objections and proposals other than the one proposed by Councillor Lynn Riley and backed by Councillor Dawson will be adopted.  The information given at the meeting also seem to suggest that Councillor Lynn Riley has the final say as the ultimate decision maker in her role within the Cheshire West and Chester Council.  Cheshire West and Chester Council does not appear to have considered the serious conflict of interest in this matter with Councillor Riley being the proposer and decision maker for this permanent Traffic Regulation Order.

Good Bye and God bless the poor cyclists and stressed motorists

Knight Owl

Remembrance Day

In Britain and the commonwealth we call it Remembrance Day, in the USA it is known as Veterans Day and some parts of the world as Armistice Day.  It is observed every year on the 11th of November at 11.00 am local time.  It is to celebrate the end of World War I and in memory of the 20 million people who died during the conflict and the affected people they left behind.  The observance is 2 minutes silence.  This morning, with the rest of the people, I observed the 2 minutes silence in memory and out of respect for the people who gave their lives in the old wars and the wars since then.  On the news, I watched Queen Elizabeth II lay a wreath at the Cenotaph in Whitehall, London.

However, upon reflection this afternoon and evening, I've been wondering whether we are really being hypocritical.  Earlier this week, our Prime Minister, Mr Cameron was supporting British arms sale in the Saudi Arabia and the middle east. At the same time he was wearing a poppy. In September, he was promoting arm deals in Brazil.  Today, it is being reported that Russia is blaming the USA for a $ 4 billion arms deal failure with Iraq. On the 13th of September it was also reported that the USA was preparing for a $ 60 billion arms deal with Saudi Arabia.  Germany, France, China and other developing countries also continue to peddle billions of  dollars worth of arms to the world.

We also continue to promote and participate in wars.  Hundreds of people, if not thousands are losing their lives on a daily basis as casualty of wars and hundred others being left physically, socially and psychologically maimed.  On the other hand, rich developed arm producing countries make a lot of money that add to their Growth Domestic Product  and wealthy investors are increasing their bank balance.  

And every year, on the 11th of November at 11.00 am local time we hypocritically observe Remembrance Day/Veterans Day/Armistice Day in memory and out of respect for all the people we have killed and maimed over the years, and plot to kill and maim the other 364 days of the year!!  

Apart from observing 2 minutes silence, we should also hang our heads in shame.

Good Luck and Good Bye until the next time

Knight Owl

Britain's Child Sex-Abuse Scandal

Britain's Child Sex-Abuse Scandal continues to play a major part in the British news and media and probably in the international media.  However, the current development in the handling of the scandal is more scandalous and distressing to the victims of the abuse than to the perpetrators of the abuse.  These innocent victims have already been abused by people in authority and this is being compounded by current authorities including the British Government. 

Following the revelations of the abuse perpetrated by Jimmy Saville, there was general disgust from the whole nation and actions were being taken to rectify the harm caused to these victims.  The British Police and other institutions, including the Crown Prosecution Service were looking into their involvement and failures in the aftermath.  Inquiries have been set up, two of which are investigating the BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation), although the failure to appropriately deal with the issue also belong to the the Police Service and the Crown Prosecution Service.  They had all failed the victims.

When disclosures about another child sex-abuse scandal became public knowledge, a new direction in dealing with it emerged.  This scandal involved children, particularly males, who were reportedly abused by adults in authority, probably in public life and probably somehow involved in past governments.  The children were already victims in their own rights and being cared for in children's home, where they hoped for protection, safety and security.  In this instance, the whole direction of approach became subversive.  The wrong person was intimated as being one of the perpetrators.  The British media did not disclose any names, although the social media seems to have done so.  The wrath of the Government descended on the BBC because a BBC programme called "Newsnight"  interviewed one of the victims who had suggested that one of his abusers was a past government figure but no one was named in person.  Other news media organisations were also involved in reporting the disclosures but no blame has been attached to them.

It is now described as a crisis in the BBC, and for the BBC.  The Director General of the BBC has resigned.  Whether he chose to resign or was forced to do so may never be publicly known.  Some senior figures in the current and from past governments are suggesting that the chairman should also resign.  The focus of the news media has been diverted from the victims of abuse and their perpetrators to the BBC.  This seems rather fishy.  It appears that the whole process is protecting the perpetrators instead of the victims.  A news report stated "the BBC is wounded and vulnerable".  It is true that the action of the government has wounded and made the BBC and its management vulnerable.  But the real wounded and vulnerable people in this case are the abused.  It is not the BBC, nor the perpetrators as some have suggested.  

It seems rather odd that the BBC is bearing the brunt of the blame and not the abusers.  Has the government got a hidden agenda or is it deliberately diverting attention from the abusers to the BBC and using the BBC as a distraction?  If so what may be their reasons?  The government's action is totally inappropriate in this situation.  The abusers should be able to fend for themselves; they do not need the government to protect them.  The victims are the people who need protection and they are they ones being  abused and victimised all over again. Who is the government really protecting?

Good bye and good Luck until the next time.

Knight Owl

Pussy Riot Judgement Outcome

Pussy Riot members have been jailed for 2 years following a protest in the Moscow Cathedral of Christ the Saviour.  I  am not judging what they did and whether it was right or wrong. I wonder, however, how we, in the United Kingdom, would have reacted if protesters had behaved in a similar way in St Paul's Cathedral in London instead of camping outside.  I also wonder how our american compatriots would have reacted if something similar had been staged in St Patrick's Cathedral in New York or the French would have reacted if this had occurred in Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. Would the protesters have been arrested and charged in a similar manner or would have been allowed to go unheeded?

Some of us would certainly applaud such protest as it allows expression of our displeasure with the establishments.  Would the establishment and the rest of society share our liberal views or would they encourage judges to deliver severe sentences to these protesters, like the sentences given to the English protesters earlier this year after they caused serious disruption following an evening of riot in some UK cities. I do not know whether I really have the answer. In the western democracies we elect governments to rule us and our governing establishment enacts laws that judges act on.  It is likely that public outcry whipped up by the media also influences our legislators and our judicial systems in the way they behave.

Good Bye and Good Luck until the next time.

Knight Owl.

Manchester United FC NYSE Flotation

It was interesting to read that Manchester United Football Club has been floated on the New York Stock Exchange. Manchester United is a heavily indebted soccer club. The Glazer family who own the club borrowed the money to buy the club, then transferred the debt onto the club. Assuming that any money made from the flotation will go to the Glazer family, the debt will be transferred to the share owners. I wonder whether anybody buying the shares are aware that what they are buying is actually a share or shares of the debt?

Good Bye and Good Luck to them and the rest of until the next time. Sleep well

Knight Owl

National and International Challenges

We are living in a world in turmoil, besieged by economic, social and political problems; and in our attempt to solve them, we are creating a bigger mess. We, human beings, are the most dysfunctional creatures that has ever walked the cosmos. We have been endowed with intelligence but we show such incompetence to use it for the benefit of our race. Could it be because of our selfishness and greed? Whether as individuals, social groups or nations we show a strong tendency towards selfishness and greed.

As individuals not only do we strive to protect our personal space and belongings, we crush anyone or anything around us to acquire more. What we can't acquire we destroy because we do not want the next person to have it. Some of us have heaps more than we need and in doing so we deprive others of their needs. Some of the richest people and nations have such excess that they will only be able to use a tiny fraction for themselves. With this excess, however, they could fulfil the needs of the rest of the worlds poor. We do the same as social groups and as nations. We live on a beautiful planet that has everything we need, but for reasons of selfishness and greed we are intent on destroying it and ourselves. What lunacy! What a race of selfish and greedy predators! We are no better than any other animal in this world despite our higher  intelligence.

In the UK, we are having the Leveson Inquiry looking into political malpractice fuelled by selfishness and greed from all sides.  It is about one media mogul and his political influence using any means to acquire more and more.  Politicians of all parties seems to be involved.  It is a public inquiry, publicly broadcast, so if you can get access to it, certainly have a look and be your own jury. Lord Judge Leveson will give his own verdict anyway, so you may wish to wait for that.

In Egypt, we have an unprecedented presidential election this weekend. Will the outcome make a big difference? Will the partisans supporting the different ideologies be able to put their differences aside and create together a happy and convivial Egypt?  We shall have to wait and see.

Greek elections are also due  today. Will the outcome produce a stable and prosperous Greece and a strong collective nations of Europeans under one currency living and sharing happily together?  I am sure we can all predict what is likely to happen, but again let us wait and see. Whether Greece leaves the Euro or stick with it, the Euro is in dire trouble.  The main reason is that although there is a European Union in name and a single currency, the is no monetary union as such.  There is still a predatory approach where countries like Germany and France are selfishly protecting their own economy, citizens and industry and creating dependence on the others. The UK is part of the EU but has kept its own currency. It, therefore, is not directly affected by the Euro and although selfishly protecting itself, is also feeling the European backlash.

Another policy issue that politicians can never get right is the issue of immigration.  They always end up creating an us and them scenario that leads to disharmony and animosity.  Mr Obama is trying to woo voters with his stance.

In the UK, Home Secretary May has come up with this ludicrous idea that immigrants can only bring their partners or families to the UK, if the earn above a certain limit. If these immigrants are legal should they not be on the same wage as the people of the UK.  And if UK citizens can support their families on such wages why can't the immigrants do so? Or is there a hidden pay policy between the UK government and Employers that is using low paid immigrant workers in an attempt to face the economic downturn and/or boost their profit margins? The government claims that this policy reduces immigrants dependence on the state.  If we allow immigrants, should we not not give work visas to those who are less likely to seek state benefits over and above that required by other workers.

Unfortunately, the immigration issue is more complex in the UK.  Residents from other EU countries can immigrate to the UK freely and they do not need visas, or means of support such as an adequately paid employment. These are the immigrants who are then dependent on the state for state benefits; and the UK government cannot do anything about it. They are not making this clear.  They are, therefore, creating hatred and animosity between UK population and non-European immigrants. Non-European immigrants are generally not the indolent people politicians of all parties paint them out to be. I wish they do not project their incompetence to these innocent and hard-working people.

Politicians never learn.  We go from one disaster to another.  History proves this time and time again.  We resort to wars; we find a pertinent cause that can bring people together and distract them form our man-made mess. Can we trust our politicians to get it right? After all, they are not on the breadline; they are all well-heeled and so are their friends; unlike most of the people they govern.

Oh What a Mess!!

Good Luck and Good Bye until the next time.

Knight Owl

The Austere European Economic Crisis

The European economic crisis is likely to drag the rest of the world economy with it, on the way to another  1930s style depression, if allowed to continue unchallenged.  The austerity measures being applied across Europe is reducing economic growth rather than stimulating it.  Mr Cameron, the UK Prime Minister, is deluded in thinking that austerity stimulates growth.  Ms Merkel, the German Chancellor, on the other hand, is only protecting the German economy but the Germans are paying a heavy price for it even though it is not reflecting in their economy at present.

If the present austerity measures along with protecting the Euro continues, growth is Greece, Spain, Portugal, Italy and the Republic of Ireland will continue to falter with continued demands to be bailed out by the rest of the Eurozone.  The bulk of this bailing out will come from the Central European Bank supported by Germany and France in the main.  The disastrous consequence will first be felt in France followed by Germany and their economy will join the downward trend.  This will quickly spread to China, India and the USA and the rest of the world will follow in turn.

President Obama is the only world leader who has shown the recognition that the austerity measures are having a negative effect on the economy.  On his own however, he cannot make a big difference.  The US economy will grow up to a certain extent but when the rest of it trade partners cannot trade with it because of the austerity measures, its Growth will hit the buffers.  The same thing will happen in Germany and France because, although they have the infrastructure to manufacture goods, no one will be able to afford to buy these goods.  When this happens they will have to cut back and their growth will also hit the buffers.  China, India and the rest of the world will be dragged with Europe and the USA.

The Greek elections due in a week or so may change what happens in Europe if the anti austerity party wins and does what is preaches.  Changes in Europe, if that happens, will hasten the turmoil and how we come out of it will depend on political leadership.  Is Ms Merkel likely to change her policies to fit in with the anti austerity measures?  Mr Cameron is only a side player and up to now he has not shown any understanding of this crisis.  Mr Holland has not shown his colours.  Who is going to take the lead, take the bull by the horn, and steer away from austerity and towards growth.  Who is learning from the USA and the Obama government handling of the economy?

The politicians and some economists say we can't spend our way out of the recession.  If we can't spend, who will buy the goods and services that industry delivers? What happens then; industrial slowdown and eventually meltdown.  The result bust not boom.  No tax receipts, no revenue and more state support and benefit.  Where will the funds come from? It does not take a genius to figure out what happens next; and all our politicians are supposed to be well educated.  In Britain, the Majority of our Cabinet Ministers are Oxford graduates (maybe there lies the problem).

It can be done.  It will need strong leadership and it calls for unity and not putting ones own country first.  A level playing field is required for the whole of Europe.  Convergence instead of divergence is called for. The richer European countries will have to be charitable in helping their poorer neighbours and they will all have to adopt an anti austerity policy and the state will have to take the lead.  Private enterprise do not share the values that is likely to promote national, continental and global growth.  

Good Luck and Good Bye until the next time.

Knight Owl