Grumble Thread

[Dave2002]

Car parks ... for example outside supermarkets, with spaces that are so narrow that it's almost impossible to get in or out of one's vehicle if there's a car parked in the next space.
I noticed that some have a lot of disabled parking spaces - usually closer to the stores - with much bigger gaps between. Mobility is starting to become an issue so maybe I should apply for a disabled card - but it wouldn't be such an issue if the spaces were big enough in the first place. Also of course, many cars are now relatively huge compared with models from 20 or more years ago.

[Old Grumpy]

Autobesity is on the increase...

...they're just trying to encourage us to buy smaller cars

[smittims]

One thing that convinced me we'll never reach the environemnt crisis target is the continuing number of gas-guzzling 4x4 juggernauts , most of which , I suspect, never go off the road and are used mostly for journeys well within walking distance.

[Jonathan]

One thing that convinced me we'll never reach the environemnt crisis target is the continuing number of gas-guzzling 4x4 juggernauts , most of which , I suspect, never go off the road and are used mostly for journeys well within walking distance.

Agreed - huge enormous tank like things taking up too much space on the roads and in the car parks. Problem is, the car manufacturers make bigger margins on these ridiculous SUVs so stop making the smaller cars we're all supposed to be driving due to pollution concerns. There's also the psychological element that people feel safer in them as they are intimidated by other drivers who have them so buy one to "keep up with the Jones's"...

My ex wife always used to say when she saw one parked badly (which they usually are) "next time get a car you can handle" . She wasn't wrong!

[oddoneout]

One thing that convinced me we'll never reach the environemnt crisis target is the continuing number of gas-guzzling 4x4 juggernauts , most of which , I suspect, never go off the road and are used mostly for journeys well within walking distance.

I found a figure some time ago about how many years set-back the rise in SUVs represents in terms of emissions targets but can't find it at the moment, but I remember being shocked by the figure.
This gives some idea of the figures involved (a more recent article elswehere updated the "if they were a nation" figure to 6th place ranking) - and that doesn't take into account the other associated increase issues of weight(road and pedestrian accident damage), amount of raw materials needed for manufacture, fuel demand, space occupied for parking and on the road, etc.

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/ng-interactive/2019/oct/25/suvs-second-biggest-cause-of-emissions-rise-figures-reveal

Paris is taking action, and other places are considering how to address the issue.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/feb/04/parisians-vote-in-favour-of-tripling-parking-costs-for-suvs

Given that they are more expensive to buy and that the fuel costs are, not surprisingly, higher,(figures from 2019 give £400) one would have assumed that the cost of living would have had some effect on improving the situation, but I don't know if that is actually the case. The idea of making such lumps hybrid or electric as a solution simply perpetuates the warped thinking. Pity the power of advertising is so effective...

[smittims]

The cost of living crisis seems to have affected people unevenly, leaving a surprising niumber who appear to be unaffected by it, if their conspicuous consumption is a guide.

[french frank]

The cost of living crisis seems to have affected people unevenly, leaving a surprising niumber who appear to be unaffected by it, if their conspicuous consumption is a guide.

It occurred to me: I'm not sure that people who drive gas-guzzling SUVs are likely to be the ones bothered by the cost of living crisis.

The problem with anyone having a car because they 'absolutely need it' - for work or whatever - is that because they have it they use it when it isn't absolutely necessary - or why are buses usually barely half full during the day?

Signed: Sanctimonious Sid

[Sir Velo]

As somebody once said "at least if you know someone drives an SUV it saves you the effort of having to get to know them"

[Dave2002]

It occurred to me: I'm not sure that people who drive gas-guzzling SUVs are likely to be the ones bothered by the cost of living crisis.

The problem with anyone having a car because they 'absolutely need it' - for work or whatever - is that because they have it they use it when it isn't absolutely necessary - or why are buses usually barely half full during the day?

Signed: Sanctimonious Sid

I'd like to agree with you - but we now live well away from "civilisation", and buses are hard to come by. I suppose I could take up cycling again, which would mean I could get to the shops 7-8 miles away, or to the railway station which may only be 5 miles away. Otherwise abandoning cars really does mean relying on taxis, or figuring out the timetable for the very few buses which do pass by.

I probably wouldn't be safe on a bicycle now, anyway.

I observe our neightbour - now living on her own - struggling to get around, and maybe contemplating a move back into some sort of "civilised" place. I don't want to move back into a town or even suburban area if I can avoid that - though eventually circumstances may force that kind of decision. We manage with the occasional home deliveries and we drive to shops maybe once a week - though we can avoid driving for longer if we have sufficient provisions stored.

i think you are right that many of the people who drive big cars really don't care.

[Serial_Apologist]

One thing that convinced me we'll never reach the environemnt crisis target is the continuing number of gas-guzzling 4x4 juggernauts , most of which , I suspect, never go off the road and are used mostly for journeys well within walking distance.

Five doors up my road had their beautiful little front garden completely bulldozed last week, then totally paved over with granite setts, in order to have "offroad" space for their new ******* 4X4.

[Pulcinella]

Court circular:

Sandringham, Norfolk
8th February, 2024

The Queen this evening attended a Musical Evening in Salisbury Cathedral to celebrate the work of local charities and was received by His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Wiltshire (Mrs Peter Troughton).

Isn't it about time that women stopped being considered the property of their husbands?

[french frank]

Isn't it about time that women stopped being considered the property of their husbands?

One would have thought so. Even when addressing an envelope to a married woman it was the custom to use the husband's initial before the (shared) surname.

[Pulcinella]

One would have thought so. Even when addressing an envelope to a married woman it was the custom to use the husband's initial before the (shared) surname.

I think that Penelope Keith was Lord Lieutenant (Surrey?) for a while.
Presumably she was similarly styled, as Mrs Fred Bloggs (or whatever).

[Serial_Apologist]

I think that Penelope Keith was Lord Lieutenant (Surrey?) for a while.
Presumably she was similarly styled, as Mrs Fred Bloggs (or whatever).

Knowing her political views* I rather think she would have been quite happy to be so styled.

*From numerous interviews Margot In The Good Life was pretty much an accurate real life portrayal of "Ms" Keith, and definitely not to be scoffed at.

[Dave2002]

Five doors up my road had their beautiful little front garden completely bulldozed last week, then totally paved over with granite setts, in order to have "offroad" space for their new ******* 4X4.

A few years back I had to go and see someone in the Walton on Thames area. The "obvious" place to park was in the adjacent street. This turned out to be full of cars, many with their wheels up on the pavement - so pedestrians didn't have a chance. Oh - did I mention - that almost all the gardens had already been taken out and had one or more cars parked on them - that as well as those parked outside which were blocking the pavements. Madness Grrrr!!