I've been doing a load of radio interviews this morning to promote our new website. Inevitably, given The Mirror's double-page spread in today's issue, the talk tended to focus on congestion.
As a result of the calls and emails I've received since the first interviews were broadcast, I reckon it's about time we opened up the debate about congestion, congestion charging and the whole pay as you go issue.
Here's my take on the subject: The past 100 years of industrial growth and geographic development have been based on personal mobility - ie the motor car. Whether it's housing estates, retail parks or centres of industry and manufacturing we've come to rely on trucks, vans and cars to get us around. Now, it seems that development has been down the wrong path entirely and we need to engage reverse gear.
This is, of course, complete nonsense. We can't reverse history, but what we do need to do is alter our behaviour to find a pragmatic approach to the issue of clogged roads and decreased transport efficiency.
Faced with the options road pricing would appear to be the one favoured by Government. But I'm worried that if there is no differentiation between essential and non-essential road user then industry gets whacked with the same stick as private motorists who arguably do have alternatives.
Clearly the debate will run and run and if you've got a comment to make on the topic let's have it and we'll see if Roadtransport.com can't formulate its own alternative transport policy!