At Full Chat

Turner is quoted as saying: "A lot of the problem is to do with people joining the motorway at one junction and coming off at the next. If they can't get on to the network so easily they will probably choose to use totally acceptable trunk roads."

It gets worse. He's also allegedly accused car-driving commuters of "inappropriate use of road space". This is worrying stuff. Every one of the above arguments can be ripped to shreds. Why, for instance, would anybody in their right mind want to take cars off the safest, most efficient, generally free-flowing, pedestrian and cycle-free motorways and divert them on to more dangerous, narrower, generally clogged neighbouring roads where vulnerable walkers and bike riders are present?

Why should a lorry (especially one belonging to an overseas operator not paying UK road levies) have priority over a commuter who has bought, taxed and insured their own car? If and when Turner somehow manages to stop some drivers joining motorways, what are they supposed to do if there aren't any acceptable trunk roads to use as an alternative? Presumably, they'll have to go through built-up areas where they might be hit with the very congestion charges Derek Turner supports.

Perhaps he might be better looking at yet another classic example of roads mismanagement. We have two football clubs - Manchester United and Newcastle United - from the north west and north east of England respectively, being forced to play a cup tie in south Wales. Thousands of loyal fans will waste countless hours plus huge quantities of fuel and money getting to the game. Why the footballing authorities didn't choose a more local neutral venue such as Elland Road, Leeds, to cut down massively on journey times, cost, pollution and accident risk is utterly beyond me.