Fenman

So if we’re all in this together, how does he (with “mild symptoms”) have access to a test when the rest of us don’t? Paul

True, but it’s not just evil FDs: how many RMwebbers are obsessed with getting the cheapest X? Paul

I’d agree with that. In many situations there’s a spectrum, with ultimate economic efficiency at one end and resilience at the other. By constantly emphasising the supreme importance of “cheapest”, we push all suppliers to the efficiency end — where their systems are as lean as possible, all just-in-time and exactly tailored to the normal market. Which is fine, until unexpected shocks come along. Then we seem surprised that a system exactly optimised for one precise set of conditions can’t magically change overnight to adapt to new circumstances. In WW2, the wildly inefficient UK rail network ensured that German bombing of lines rarely cut off a town: there were usually two, three or four routes into most decent-sized places. We decided in the 50s and 60s that we were no longer prepared to pay for that much inefficiency. Each generation makes its choices. As the philosopher said: you can be a hedgehog, a supreme master at one very clever trick; or you can be a fox, a master of nothing but adequately good at all sorts of things. As our world has become evermore sophisticated, maybe we have too many institutions that are like hedgehogs and not enough that are like foxes. Paul

I think this is very sound advice. We can all choose the frames of reference we use — who are we comparing ourselves to/ measuring ourselves against? — and those choices can have profound implications for our state of mind. The fact is, compared to every human that has ever lived, most of us had already won life’s lottery by being born in a Western European country in the second half of the 20th century (+/-). Our chances of even just surviving birth and childhood were orders of magnitude better than for most of humanity. Free comprehensive-ish healthcare and free-ish education. Choices — lots of them — and at least a basic social safety net. What a time (for most) to be alive! Unfortunately for their mental health, many people look in the wrong direction. There’s a tragic story explaining why all those rich businessmen sitting in the First Class section of the plane are so miserable: it’s because they’ve forgotten how much materially better off they are than almost everyone sitting behind them and, instead, they’re grumpy because their mates are travelling in private jets. Looking for positives in terrible circumstances is not disrespectful to those who are suffering, and nor is it necessarily a sign of mixed-up priorities: it’s about trying to keep a sense of perspective and to remain on an even keel. Paul

Yes, Trump apparently is saying the same thing. There’s a referenced de-bunking here. It appears the likelihood is that probable deaths from unchecked covid19 would be orders of magnitude higher than the likely increase in suicide rate. Paul

Mine arrived today (thanks, Kernow). It’s rather lovely. Paul

It’s always been the case: crank handles were replaced by starter motors and who, now, would want to go back? My uncle had a car with no heater because it was an expensive optional extra; most of us are now very happy with air-conditioning. Does anyone prefer manually-operated windows to electric ones (yes, I know there’ll be a contrarian or two on here...)? I long ago made the switch to automatic transmission. On the rare occasions I now drive a manual car I can’t believe how clunky it is. Paul

So does everyone else... Paul

It’s excellent news and long overdue. South station will also serve Addenbrookes, the specialist regional hospital for huge numbers of people who currently either have to drive or, after arriving at Cambridge (central), need a tiresome bus/taxi journey. Paul

I can see and hear him now, his voice dripping with contempt — “Pathetic earthlings...” A great actor. Paul

You and I have a different definition of "bully boy" tactics. Is it "bully boy" tactics to have an ultra low emissions zone in the middle of major cities, so that children's lungs aren't clogged with quite so many particulates? That also creates divisions and segregates society -- should we abolish those low emission zones, so everyone is equally free to pollute wherever they please? I dunno. It seems to me we have some hard choices coming. Anything which offers a positive incentive to people to do the best thing for society ("buy a zero emissions vehicle and you get to use a few brand-new roads") is a good thing -- far better than just banning stuff which, as far as I can see, is the only realistic alternative. Paul

What do you mean, it’s not fair? Of course it’s fair: if you still drive ICE then you’re no worse off than before — better off, in fact, because there’ll be fewer BEV cars on the roads you can use (which is all the existing roads), so less congestion for you. It’s just that BEV drivers get some extra options. The alternative might be no new roads for anyone. Or is that “fairer”? Paul

I imagine there’s already a significant traffic from the Cambridge/ Peterborough branches to Gatwick Airport. Which I’d guess will only grow. Paul

You’d rather have no new road at all? And if it works as an incentive, it won’t be empty for long. The policy details can be worked out — and changed, over time, as experience grows and circumstances change. It just seems an obvious way to accommodate everyone. Paul

Given recent court action over the environmental impact of new transport schemes, I wondered why the government doesn’t simply state that any new roads will only be open to BEVs. Anti-roads campaigners would struggle to make a reasonable case against them, while shiny new (empty) roads would offer a positive incentive for people to dump ICE vehicles. Even if they didn’t, the space freed-up on existing roads would benefit them. Wouldn’t that be a win:win? Paul

5 tph on WLL * versus 18 tph on ELL Er... what do you mean, “to be fair”?! Paul * and isn’t one of those a Southern service, so “they” (ie, TfL) are actually only running 4.

Which is ironic because ISTR that the WLL currently has far more overcrowding — but can’t have extra trains because freight paths are apparently needed through central London. WLL is always the poor relation to ELL — I suspect because TfL controls the infrastructure on the latter while the former is NR. Paul

Me too. Then again, I’d also be in the market for a brand-new yet original DS... (and no, I don’t mean the spin-off brand) Paul

I’ve been disappointed with Citroen since the death of the C5 and C6. What was one of the few very *different* car manufacturers, ploughing their own furrow, is now just a brand variant of PSA. It’s a pity. Paul

That’s a very courageous announcement. Blimey. Good luck to them. Paul

West Norfolk is an area of dispersed population: King’s Lynn is the railhead (and regional centre) for c.180,000 people. Not a megalopolis, but not insignificant either. Paul

To quote from Barclays’ own history: ”East Anglia has long been a Barclays heartland, nurturing the Gurney family of banks since the eighteenth century. The Gurneys proved pivotal in the establishment of Barclays as we know it today. The banks founded by the Gurneys, alongside Barclays, Buxtons, Birkbecks and others provided the foundations for today’s bank.” Paul

Norwich was — finally — connected to the rest of the country by dual carriageway only a couple of years ago. Motorways have never got close. In fact, there’s the old joke about what’s the closest motorway to Norwich? The answer is the Amsterdam ring road. That’s not actually true (the M11 at Cambridge is a little closer), but the fact that it could be tells you how grim the local roads are. For amusement, compare the average journey times to London from Norwich and similarly-distant Peterborough... Still: it’s a fine city. Paul

That’s a bit rude. For centuries Norwich was the 2nd richest city in the country and it was a pioneer of modern financial services (Gurneys, Barclays, Norwich Union-as-was...). It’s still a pretty wealthy place. King’s Lynn is at 100 miles from London and its service has been downgraded from InterCity in BR days, and from just over 90 minutes for an electrified route to, now, about 110 minutes. A 20% reduction in speed over a few short years. Apparently it will get even slower soon, with a new Cambridge South Station and additional stops in north London. Me too! When the Wessex Electrics were introduced — with a 59 minute non-stop train every hour from Waterloo to Southampton Airport — BR used to advertise that it was faster flying central London-Paris via Southampton instead of Heathrow. (That route is now also much slower.) Southampton is about the perfect size for an airport. Paul

I’m a fan of DSG boxes, but wheel slip is a problem on many fwd cars so-equipped — especially if you’re starting on an uphill slope which is also where you’re trying to use more power than usual. Paul