The Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has just started a campaign to encourage people back to London and it is called Let’s do London which leaves me to wonder, why?
On the last three times I went, all relatively recently, firstly to purchase a new bed for my wife’s aesthetics clinic where I unfortunately strayed into a deserted bus lane whilst looking for the business in question and I received a hefty fine.
The next occasion I dropped our daughter to her boyfriend and made the mistake of using a back route I used to use when I worked in London, unfortunately I came across a bus only road but was committed to turning and had no opportunity to stop suddenly and try to reverse away so once again I received a hefty fine.
Lastly, when we were delivering an orange plant to our son I made the error of thinking that I wouldn’t be charged the Congestion Zone as it was a Bank Holiday, sadly I was wrong and I received a hefty fine.
Now we have the Congestion Charge Zone expanding and the chargeable hours increasing together with the introduction of the ULEZ Ultra Low Emission Zone charge I have to say as a motorist I am not feeling remotely welcomed in London.
The last time I went to London it was absolutely heaving with people quite a few of whom were only too happy to spill out onto the road as if they owned it which I thought a bit of a cheek as I’m fairly certain pedestrians don’t pay any tax to use the road, unlike us motorists.
So as far as I’m concerned Mr Sadiq Khan with regard to your Let’s do London campaign, I’m inclined to say, LET’S NOT, I shall take myself and my car to somewhere where I feel more welcomed and spend my money there.
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About The Diary of a Country Bumpkin
I am a retired actor, although to be honest I only retired because I wasn't getting any work due to losing my agent when I became a full time carer to my mother who had dementia. and the option of becoming an unemployed actor/waiter at my age was ludicrous, especially as my waiting skills are non-existent.
Having said I’m retired, I don’t think there really is such a thing as a retired actor for I am still available for work, I just don’t have an agent or any connections with regards to obtaining any worthwhile work.
I have over the years done student films when there is nothing else available, always low paid (if at all) the only incentive was always the promised copy of the finished film for your show reel which nine times out of ten always failed to materialise.
I spent many years looking after my aged mother and shortly after her death I was lucky enough to run into an ex-girlfriend of many years ago and our romance blossomed once again, resulting in us getting married in 2013.
My move to the countryside inspired me to write The Diary of a Country Bumpkin which tells of my continuing dilemmas in dealing with the rigors of the countryside from the unexpectedly large number of pollens, fungal moulds and hay products waiting to attack the unsuspecting townie.
I enjoy writing, see my play Dulce Et Decorum Est Pro Patria Mori on The Wireless Theatre Company, The Plays Wot I Wrote and The Battle of Barking Creek both available on Amazon.co.uk and am very fond of classic cars so my ideal occupation would be acting in a film I had written set in the 1930s/40s, we live in hopes.
I am delighted to say that since venturing to the countryside where space is not quite the premium it is in town, I have due to the availability of two double garages acquired more classic cars to form a small collection the pride of which are a 1947 Bentley Mk VI and a 2000 Bentley Arnage.
My various blogs and websites are continually evolving and I’m sure that by following the appropriate links you will find something which will edify or amuse.
I have written a number of different books all available on Amazon, so don't be shy should you feel the urge to purchase. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mr-Joe-Wells/e/B06XKWFQHT/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1
The Diary of a Country Bumpkin 
I agree with you. How much was the fine?
They all gave a discount for quick payment but I think they were all about £60, as I said I shall take my money elsewhere!
Not just a pain in the arse, but also the pocket.
Sadly yes!
Me too, as far as London is concerned and the mayor of London it can go f-ck it’s self🤬
That sums it up fairly well!
The last time I visited London the streets and tubes were heaving, I was certain I would pick up a nasty disease from someone and that was pre-covid!
Both my wife and I used to live in London but once you get out you can never imagine going back, the only problem now is the number of new housing developments going on locally. I think I have become a NIMBY!
I sympathise, my village is spreading outwards too and is now twice the size it was when we moved here 45 years ago. Until recently the last big build was thirty years ago which destroyed woodland, now it’s the theft of green belt.
Yes, they’ve done that near us, strange how Green Belt Farmland has suddenly become available for building.
I agree, and especially when brownfields nearer towns are ignored.
We are told affordable housing is needed, so why build here? My village is probably the most expensive in Yorkshire. My farm is at the opposite side of the village just over half a mile from the village and I border narrow lanes so I doubt it will ever be classified as building land.
I wondered what people from London thought of the Mayor. Interesting.
I think he is liked by quite a few people who live in London, those who are young, who can’t drive and chose to ride a bicycle and are left wing politically especially. Although it must be awful owning a car in London as you need to pay for a residents parking permit to park in the road where you live, assuming you can find a space and you have to pay the Congestion Charge just to drive your car in London. So if you go on public transport or ride a bicycle you tend to like him or if you need to use your car or van for work you probably are not too keen on the man, he has made London very unfriendly towards motor vehicles.
Funny, thanks for responding. Sounds challenging to be own a car and be right wing politically.
It’s challenging to own a car in London whatever political persuasion you have.
I just read about a new congestion charge. Sounds like all about the tax. I don’t think I would like to visit London anymore.
It certainly is about tax if you go in a car, as I’m getting older I can remember when there were parking meters all over the place where you could park relatively cheaply but over the years they have taken them away. London is very anti car now but there are plenty of places to go where cars, especially classic cars are appreciated.
However, now I seem to find it interesting to read about your mayor for some reason. Interesting.