Petty Party Politics is the PPP that I am on about and it is probably the biggest problem there is for coach tourism at present. Now I am a staunch believer in democracy and at times have voted for all three major parties but this subject has no party divide and makes me think perhaps a dictatorship is not that bad an idea after all.
The problem is that politicians will make decisions to influence a few local people and thus win them votes without thinking about the long-term consequences. They will ignore the advice of their consultants and local council officers and
n retire from office before the long-term
ults are felt. Take the example of the South Bank where the consultants recommended one of three sites to build an underground coach park to serve the London Eye, Royal Festival Hall, etc.
This appeared to be the answer as coaches would arrive with their group, park where they set down and then depart with their group - a total of two journeys which would be good for the environment, good for local people and good for reducing traffic congestion. After politicians got involved we have 20-minute set-down/pickup bays. Now I will admit the traffic management scheme for the London Eye is one of the best-managed schemes there is for coaches but it involves the coach setting down, going away to park, returning to pick up and then departing with the group - a total of four journeys plus the driver trying to find somewhere to park. Who has benefited from that? Not the resident. Not the traffic flow. Not the environment, plus the coach driver may have problems with hours.
London Eye well managed scheme
but...
...lay in how the last two of these were resolved. The county council stepped in and provided a more overall view of the situation resulting in sensible compromise.