TfL/Westminster Partnership, Achieve Gridlock Weekend...By Thomas the Taxi

Congratulations are in order and must go to the planners and traffic managers of Westminster City Council and their partners in crime TfL. Weekend nights in Londons West End have finally become an utter nightmare. In a bid to bring Piccadilly traffic back to the free flowing thoroughfare of the 1960's, this world famous junction has been given a new contra flow bus lane, which was meant to ease the traffic around several small streets behind the Circus. Unfortunately, their "computer model" never showed these enthusiastic young planners that, in the late 70's, the central island was moved a few meters south to form part of the southern pedestrian paved area. A major factor in the congestion that followed.

The invention of bendy-buses and yellow box junctions, have caused elementary pinch points in key areas around the West End, with the pedestrianisation of Trafalgar Square being the straw that broke the camels back. Whereas the heart of the West End used to revolve around Piccadilly Circus, the new lay out has moved the central hub, to the small island that houses the statue of Charles 1st.
The strategic value of this small island has been shown by the "No To Bike Parking Tax" lobby who have regular drive-ins around the statue, which bring London to a complete standstill. Another major contributory factor is the eastbound bus only lane into the Strand, which causes another bottle neck as traffic queues wait to turn right into Duncannon Street.

Most of the congestion has been engineered in a bid to make the congestion charge look absolutely necessary. But this has brought with it an unforeseen problem of a huge rise in pollution levels at certain points where congestion is at its worst (Marylebone Road, Cromwell Road). Stakeholders and partners of TfL have dug theirselves into a giant hole and won't let go of the shovel. If these people worked in the private sector they would be out on their parochial arse.

But in the end it's us who have to pay the price for the giant mistakes of these bozos. The City planners have bought London to its knees and in two years time, one of the worst offenders will be asking London to give him a second chance. Well you don't have to wait two years for my answer "No thanks Ken".