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News and Comment September 2022

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5 September - Stung and stung again

Can easily sting
Wasp nestMy wasp nest was dealt with by Rob Smith of Bexley Pest Control Ltd, 01322 308475. All very quick and effective leaving me only with dead bodies to Hoover up.

Rob said it was a very big nest and this is a photo taken today. The wasps took over my old Bexley Council recycling box so as you can see it is nearly two feet across and of unknown depth.

I was advised not to remove it until early November when there is no chance of stumbling across unwanted surprises.


Khan always stings
Oyster CardI am no expert in the financing of TfL but as I understand it Tory Chancellor George Osborne took away £700,000,000 of subsidy in 2015 and made passengers pay for pretty much everything. It sort of worked for a short while and then Mayor Khan came along with his promised freeze on fares just when he should have been making up for the £700 million shortfall.

As if that was not enough bad news, economically speaking at least, the pandemic caused him to reduce tube services to ensure that what few passengers there were, were packed in cheek by jowl. To encourage car use the Congestion Charge was temporarily cancelled hitting revenues even harder.

The inevitable happened. TfL ran out of money and has had to be bailed out by Government several times. Not all of it was Khan’s fault but his 2016 decisions didn’t help and he has consequently gone on a money grabbing spree.

Most people know that he whacked up the Congestion Charge and extended the hours of operation. He also introduced the 24/7 Ultra Low Emission Zone and plans to extend it throughout Greater London.

Anything to fleece the motorist as much as possible.

Yesterday without notice Khan introduced a crafty one. The Oyster Card deposit went up from £5 to £7 and you can no longer hand it it and get a refund. So it is no longer a deposit. The fare for travelling by Tube to Heathrow has gone from £3·50 to £5·50 too.

The details may be found on the Diamond Geezer website. It is not the most easily navigable site. Scroll down until you find the entry for September 4th.

 

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