Hear Hear.

TfL kindly send a weekly e-mail listing the weekend closures, all in pretty colours.

Had a bad day Craig?

I lived in London for 20 years. Moving to the countryside was the best thing I’ve ever done.

Get yourself a nuclear weapon, Craig, that’ll take care of London a treat.

Hand on,is it London you despise or simply London’s transport network and public services?

Typo: HanG on.

I’ve not been back in a long time. On my last visit I was completely overwhelmed by the noise, the crush, and the filth – I couldn’t get out of the place fast enough. I thought at the time, maybe I’m just a bit of a hayseed unused to big cities, so it’s interesting to hear from someone with the same reaction.

Still, I’d erase Tony Blair first. London can be avoided, Blair and his squalid ilk require excision. The scythe would be my instrument of choice – an old one, very blunt and rusty.

Regarding travel in London, a one word answer- Brompton!

http://brompton.co.uk/

I travel to London most weeks and with one of these beauties. You cycle when its convenient (generally) or hop a tube or taxi when not. When not in use they live beside your desk or in the reception of the office you are visiting. Mine’s saved me a fortune in public trasport fares and cumulatively days in saved time.

Craig, you’ve got to look

I can understand if you’ve had a bad day and want to vent. But I do get irritated by likening anything in the UK and London to the third world, never mind comparing it unfavourably, never mind “the poorest third world country”. Usually it’s hyperbole by ignorant people who haven’t ever seen a third world country, but not in your case.

And London has the oldest underground railway in the world; and it shows.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London_Underground

Tell me about it. Lived there for a couple of years myself, and only remember it a bit fondly because at least it was back home in the UK after a prolonged absence. Was very glad to move out again.

What gets me is the third world service, at double-plus first world prices. It amazes me why people put up with it. But we get a lousy service precisely because people put up with it. In India, a mob would march to the manager’s office of the (water, power etc.) company with some rope, with every intention of stringing him up if things didn’t improve fast. The French don’t take their woes sitting down either. We just don’t know how to complain properly in this country.

Transport is terrible in all forms. House prices and rent is sky-high. Service is generally lousy, and people not very friendly. Beats me why anyone lives in London.

“Usually it’s hyperbole by ignorant people who haven’t ever seen a third world country”

No, it’s usually an accurate remark by people who know the third world rather well.

A friend of mine who works on the Tube tells me the regular weekend shutdowns are a knock-on effect of the arcane PPP contracts used on the Tube these days.

Basically the contractors don’t want to pay the extra wages for staff who are trained to do maintenance while the live rail is still on.

Instead they shut down the live rail and use staff who haven’t done the relevant safety courses.

Consequently half the damn network gets shut down every weekend, which never used to happen in the past.

Meant to say congratulations on getting your piece into the MSM and the Torygraph at that.

As a Londoner, I’d like to see London improved by investing more money in other cities.

Endless expansion of London is silly. The aim should be to have a nice, functioning city and not to make it as big and crowded as possible.

Too many people here and too few other cities where, at least for the industry I work in, you have multiple employment opportunities. I sometimes consider moving out of London but it always seems I’d have to move to a specific place to work for a specific company and then have to move if I changed jobs later.

Oh, and whoever wants the Olympics here can take them and shove them up their arse. I preferred it when my local tube line actually ran at the weekends* and I’m not looking forward to the influx of sports-obsessed tourists (and terrorists!) the Olympics will bring.

(* People seem to justify the Olympics by saying we get tube expansion and development of certain areas as a result. They seem to ignore the fact, if they’re a good idea, we could do those things without the games and do them in a way that maximizes value to the public instead of that sees public benefit purely as a side-effect and hosting a big masturbatory sporting event as the driving reason.)

Ahh, that feels better. It’s good to rant.

Craig, your hatred is misplaced.

Years of chronic underfunding means the system is always under pressure.

I assume that circumstances don’t allow you to move.

If the PPP (that’s Public Private Partnership, right?) contracts are responsible, there’s a reason to write to your MPs and denounce this New Labour betrayal of socialist principles, Oh Londoners!

Dude, it’s only a city! Get a bike. As every London cyclist knows you can time your journey to within a minute or two once you know the route.

I can beat geomannie’s suggestion. Get a Brompton with an electric motor! I have just bought myself one from http://www.electricwheel.co.uk/

Oh, and I am honestly looking forward to moving back to London after living in Athens. Truly, a third world capital (and I should know, I spent 35 years living in 8 of them).

“I hate London. There is no city on earth in which a family with an income of £30,000 per year would enjoy a worse standard of life. The private goods are too expensive and the public goods are worse managed than in the poorest third world country.”

All that’s needed to fix Londonistan is more immigrants, obviously.

Norfolk aint too bad, why don’t you move back?

I spent my childhood in London, in Church Street off the Edgeware Road, happy memories having fun on the bomb-sites around Paddington.

The streets are paved with gold if you know where to look. All the very best ad/PR/photo agencies are in London.

Look after the baby Craig and cast Nadira out for photo-shoots – she is beautiful and photogenic, the ad people will love her, a prestigious cut above the rest.

Why live there then?

Try Manchester

London. Hmn. Mixed feelings. I love to visit, for all the obvious reasons. I love the buzz. But I resent the closed and impregnable cliques, esp. in the arts, including the ‘hip multicultural’ ones, and especially the ones who think they’re ‘really liberal’. The way power is clasped so tightly to their chests.

Hobby-horse. Bo-ring.

Johnson famously said

“Why, Sir, you find no man, at all intellectual, who is willing to leave London. No, Sir, when a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford.”

that would be after you’ve forked out the £4 cash fare for a Zone 1 single

Not only is London’s transport infrastructure up there with the worst of any major city in the developed world, it’s also one of the most (the most?) expensive

In my lifetime, London has become a place where only the relatively poor or the stinking rich can bring up families

I used to love the place with every fibre of my being. Now I hate ever coming back. If I didn’t have family there I never would

Many congratulations on an excellent article.

As for the Tube, I’ll get GIP on it. I know people on the inside…

I’ve been saying for about a decade that the London Tube needs completely filling in and digging out from scratch.

I did a little reckoning once. On a short journey I had paid about five pounds. The trains were utterly packed, though it wasn’t rush hour. I stood on a central London platform, watching trains go past every two minutes. I estimated about 700 people per train. So about 100,000 pounds of fares was passing that spot every hour. That’s just one direction, on one line, and we’re told this makes a loss?

Blimey, either you need therapy or a reality check, as someone who lives in East Kent and has for much of the last year, commuted into North London, worked 10 hours and more you sound a complete wimp.

Life’s tough, but anyhow do please emigrate to the planet zog, where hopefully there wont be an internet connection.

People who brag about commuting miles to and from home to work 10 hours a day are arguably not best placed to suggest other people should go into therapy

Since my parents left New Zealand in 1991, I am yet to visit London.

Time after time I read comments that condemn any attention paid to bankrupt nations such as those in Central Asia, or, label ethnic violence as ‘Muslim terrorism’ by ignorantly quoting that the Qur’an teaches that killing people is OK, in this case using the tag that 64% Kyrgyz are Muslims.

One ‘commentator’ wrote that Craig Murray is, ‘swanning around the world telling others how to run their lives’ when in fact this is one man opening our eyes to corruption, encouragement and reinforcement of dictators in a region where such unethical conduct can only lead to increased Islamic radicalism.’

In fact Craig Murray puts his lens on and unmasks the fact that the United States courted the corrupt and autocratic former ruler, Kurmanbek Bakiyev, and allowed members of his family to pocket the profits of supplying the US Manas Air Base.

In the exposure we learn that Russia has been trying to force the closure of the Manas base and supported the ouster of Mr. Bakiyev after he reneged on a promise to do so. All this begs the question why the US has absolutely no interest in the democratic situation in Kygryzstan, in fact turning a ‘blind eye’ to suffering while focusing only on the security of its own remote supply base.

I would suggest Craig point his learned and diplomatic finger at the US administration on how to democratically cut deals about startegic transit routes and military bases in a polically compassionate and liberal way to wit a neighbouring state close to Afghanistan where British serviceman are dying in numbers.

Britain may be accussed of appeasement by US Senators but America fails to realise that our best Ambassador always weighs the costs of counter-productive ties to dictators (Saddam Hussein) and work towards unqualified support for free elections as the ultimate gaol.

Love London; always have, always will. The Tube is effing brilliant compared to what we have in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Seems like even at its worst East German transport was better than what you describe. In fact, Germans are so demanding about their public transport system, I wrote my first ever newspaper column about busses running two minutes early, and the bus company kicked up a fuss, defending its reputation. When we say “on time” we really do mean the very minute the schedule says it leaves, not one minute earlier or later!

However, my brother, who lives in Berlin, insists the only truly reliable form of transport for him, too, is his bicycle.

yes the good old push-bike has to be seriously considered. It was good enough for David Cameron on his former travels from home to the office, sadly he wont be doing that since he lives above the shop. As long as you dont get run over you will get fit and energised and not depleted by an expensive time consuming journey through one of London’s rat holes with depressed, stressed and frustrated passengers.

London does have its good points too.

There is the entertainment, a lot of it is expensive but during match days there is a lot of street violence that you can watch for free.

I live beside a tube station and they have been working there every night for around 10 years now and I still can’t see anything different. They retiled the station at one point which took a few years and put up some indicator boards a couple of years after that – even though they still don’t work – otherwise, nothing has changed at all. Oh yeah, the station used to be manned all day and now it is only during peak hours. And the emergency button doesn’t work. The prices have gone up massively – and weirdly, it costs the same to travel to the next station on an empty train late at night as it does to travel to Central London during peak hours. Another nulabour wheeze.

You do know that £4 is the tourist tax, right? Get an Oyster card. After the initial £5 layout, it’s £1.80 for Zone 1, and you can set it up to automatically top up as you need it.

Good enough for Helen Mirrin, good enough for me!

But NomadUK, Helen Mirren – real name, Ilyena Vasilievna Mironov (ah, Alfred, ‘another bloody immigrant’, eh?) is the Queen. Doesn’t she have equestrian modes of transport?

Well, at least up in Scotland, she drives herself around in a bloody Range Rover.

(God, Helen Mirren. Rowr. And at 75.)

“You do know that £4 is the tourist tax, right?”

or the ‘keep off the database of your movements’ tax if you’re not a tourist

e.g.

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/03/17/spooks_want_oyster/

now with auto-top up!

hooking your life into Big Brother has never been so convenient

and if you’ve ever tried getting a ‘Pay as You Go’ Oyster Card (the one you’re not to supposed to have to give your name and address to use) you will have found out just how heavily drilled LU staff are to get your name and address off you

and no, I’ve nothing in particular to hide, but the twunts who’ve been rolling this stuff out patently do

Yes, I know. And if I thought there was any hope at all of MI5 and GCHQ not being able to track my movements if I *didn’t* use an Oyster card, I’d happily pay the extra few quid.

Basically, though, we’re stuffed. So why not pay less until the black cars roll up to your door at midnight?

Craig,

Completley agree with you. I managed 6 years including 3 bringing up a baby/toddler and moved out to the sticks 3 months ago.

The grass isnt always greener I know and although the sticks has its fair share of problems – never having to go on an underground train or be stood at a london bus stop is worth it in itself.

London – so little for so much.

p.s Don’t get me wrong – if you are seriously wealthy I can see the atraction but as an average joe moving out was the best thing I ever did.

Pop you down as a ‘maybe’ then?

Here in Prague:

18 Koruna Ticket (59p) – Valid for 5 stops for 15 mins, non transferable, on bus, metro or tram.

26 Koruna Ticket (85p) – Transferable, valid for 75 mins (90 at weekends), on bus, metro or tram.

100 Koruna Ticket (£3.35) – Transferable all day ticket on bus, metro or tram.

In the day, most trams and metros run every 5 to 10 minutes

I can get 11km to the city airport, pick up a friend and be back again (with a following wind) on a 26kc ticket.

Private car ownership was low during “Communism”, and the public transport system reflects that.

During the weekends the city is left to the tourists and expats, all the locals bugger off to the countryside on the reasonably priced local trains.

Oh, and none of those stupid barriers on the metro/tube here, it all works on a trust system, with spot checks from the ticket inspectors.

London… you can fugging keep it; dirty , smelly, shit hole that it is.

(actually, that goes for the UK too, god bless her and all who sink in her)

“We just don’t know how to complain properly in this country.”

How very true. Once at a US airport I saw a check-in desk open. It immediately acquired a very long queue. I sighed and warned my young daughter that we would have a long wait. Not so. The Americans looked at the queue, glanced at each other, then raised merry hell until two more check-in desks were opened. I learned a lot from that.

NomadUK: second that rowr.

I didn’t find London that bad at all. It was reasonably clean, and large number of museums were free. My wife and I found a great book of walking tours. There were wonderful old buildings and the canal system…

Sure it was a bit expensive, but the subway system seemed to go where we needed, even with the occasional closure. The price was a bit high, but with the oyster card it wasn’t too bad.

Then again – I’m from Toronto.

Do I hear a Scotsman biting the hand that feeds him? Good luck with the socialist utopia!

The transport system in this country is just capable of getting people to their work and back again. This country is not run for the people it’s run for big business. Comfort is not a requirement. Our economy exists to provide the cash to buy american weaponry (trident and planes for the carriers) not to give a quality of life to the workers or should that have been captives.

The discussion about prices reminds me of when I was in Manhattan on holiday. I bought a Metrocard for $20 (about £13), good for 10 journeys. A journey could be just the next station or the South end of Manhattan miles away – it made no difference! Ten journeys anywhere within Manhattan by subway or bus, and that was it. I wonder whether something like this could work in London. Of course the needs of regular commuters and tourists are different.

well remember all those consultancy and legal fees have to be paid for somehow!

It amazes me the cost of public works and the poor standards that are acceptable in the UK. Maybe the general public have got accoustomed to it and don’t bother to complain because they know it would make no difference. They just get on with it and make do. Getting out is the only sensible solution but few can even be bothered to attempt it.

London is no place for grown ups. If you still need to live there after the age of 40 something has gone wrong.

NomadUK, from earlier, Helen Mirren is 64, not 75.

She was in ‘O Lucky Man’, btw: the dreamy girl on the roof above London (the only place to be).

Thanks for the correction; my subtraction was off!

But I’m sure she’ll still be lovely at 75.

Thanks for the correction; my subtraction was off.

But no doubt she’ll still be lovely at 75.

@StefZ – if you’re concerned about the Oyster travel database, just get one unregistered. I am a Brummie but keep an unregistered card for my London travelling, and I only charge it up with cash. Sure, it is still theoretically traceable, but to do so for an ordinary Joe (whose worst crime is to disagree with excessive surveillance) would be cost prohibitive.

Back on topic – can people say some positive things about London please? I am considering moving there for work, so I don’t need you grumpy lot to put me off! Am considering Greenwich, which appropriately enough is still quite leafy for London.

As the station announcer in the nine lives of thomas katz says, “the entire underground network has ceased to exist. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.”

The best excuse I ever heard on a tube train not in a film was “we apologize for the delay which is due to the long interval between trains.”

Don’t you worry. We in London will carry on paying our taxes to subsidise the rest of the uk

London (and Ramsgate) hates and despises you, craig!! We will rattle your back door in the night, non-specically but entertainingly. We will scare you shitless or witless if you don’t get a grip and issue a public denial of your demented claim that your blog is being attacked by Zionistically organized trolling persons, because you will otherwise reduce yourself to a neurotic wreck. Just like before…..

So chill, man.

I am Neil Barker from the Burton Mail.

We litigate.

We look forward to litigation.

Craig Murray hosts this site and allows Suhayl Saadi to libel me, and has posted my job details, my employer’s address, and made side attacks on my wife.

I WILL have satisfaction.

Do not underestimate me.

Craig, Saaadi , you WILL pay me compensation.

Next time, check your sources before causing disruption to my paper.

See you both in court.

Neil Barker, Burton on Trent Mail.

Dear all,

I hate London short. I have lived in other towns. Thsi town is a rubbish. What is wrong with Londoners ? They like to play the false stars whether they go out on a weekend nights or whether they work in the City; City people who think that they are the choosen one in this world( which they are not by the way, because they are just the poorest wealthy people of the world, when you see what the same people can get in other towns in this world). And could someone explain me, why Londoners are so dumb, even though I know it is not all of them, but still. Why do they need to throw the rubbish on the streets? What do they think ? That this is going to dissapear like this the next day ? R they so silly that they cannot realise that they are the ones who will see the same tomorrow and….? can they not just keep it clean and keep the rubbish in their hands until they see a bin? What a filthy place London. I have come back from holidays, it is getting worse. I am not even sure that the so called poor country are as dirty as here. I am also astonished to hear people say that the prices for the tube and the houses are normal, BECAUSE IT IS LONDON. I dont give a damn what town it is, everybody should have the right to live in a decent place or have a good quality of life. Nevermind. Problem solved I am leaving this fitlthy rubbish bacteria and rat infested town, with the most complicated street system and its ignorant false posh stupid snobbish people who only think that what they dress like is what makes them important. Some Londoners neurons must be so damaged by this constant pollution in this rown plus the drugs they think it is cool and normal to use!!!!