The government say they are going to move forward with the previous government’s plan of setting up so called Smart signs on motorways. These digital motorway signs will send messages to drivers. They will apparently give details of alternative routes, avoiding motorways but it appears that they will mainly be urging motorists to get the train rather than driving.

The signs will show drivers how much time they could have saved if they had taken the train, which is just what you need when you are sitting in a traffic jam. The aim it seems is designed to relieve traffic congestion and presumably to annoy drivers. Network Rail has said that it is heavily in favour of the scheme; well really, that’s a surprise. They have said that motorists should “relax and let the train take the strain” or do they perhaps mean “let their wallet take the strain”

 Not many passengers can relax after having bought a ticket for a train journey in the UK; a return ticket from London to Manchester can cost you £279. You may think that would be the price of an MP’s first class ticket but that is what you can pay for a standard ticket.

The AA has pointed out that it is unrealistic to think that this scheme is going to get drivers to stop using their cars and pointed out that what is really needed is far more  park-and-ride facilities and car sharing points at motorway services. The previous Labour government were convinced this scheme would work but then they were also convinced that safety cameras would save lives and bring in lots of money. The were right about bringing in lots of money and that is about all.