The Budget - What are you looking for?

[Smurf1976]

Hi rafa

yes agree

I'm all for spending on infrastructure for the reasons you posted and reducing the number of trucks on the roads and the pollution they create but I'm still not convinced that spending on infrastrucure will ever lead to a situation where the general public will use rail, for example, more than their cars.

As I said earlier I will always want to travel where I want when I want and not be totally restricted to the limitations of any public transport

cheers

bullmarket

The existing roads should be more than adequate for private travel if we take the long distance freight off them. The budget isn't about spending a fortune on urban roads etc which are largely used by private motorists. Rather, it is about adding capacity to long distance bulk freight corridors for which rail is a direct alternative with far lower ongoing (permanent) liabilities and already able to be electrified in most cases rather than relying on oil that may or may not be available.

Another way to look at it is to say that one way to become wealthy is to earn more money. That will work for some but IMO making better use of the money you already have (saving and then investing it) is a far more sustainable solution. Likewise making better use of existing roads by shifting freight to rail (or in some cases sea) is likely a more sustainable option.