I've had enough of these think tankers

By Steve Orme on Oct 18, 08 10:31 AM

I break the surface this morning in tetchy mood. Must be the onset of winter. Or old age.
This chap Dr Tim Leunig, the one who says Liverpool and for that matter Sunderland, should be shut down forthwith and their populations moved to Dante's south east in the manner of the Highland clearances, yes him. Well in my opinion, he is a plant pot.

In a nutshell he says there is no future in a sea port city in a world driven by road and air transport.
Therefore the Policy Exchange says everybody out.
Now I admit the prospect of so many people living in the south east that it breaks off and joins France is attractive but In thought Government policy was to import eastern Europeans to do that.
The fact is that Liverpool is badly served by its transport links. It is a city on the end little more than a suburban cul-de-sac.
An improved M62 should be driven into the heart of the city rather than stopping short in the middle of a minor shopping parade at The Rocket.
And I know it is difficult for these academic types to take in the minutiae of everyday life but he would have noticed there is quite a large airport at Speke, one with a runway long enough to be used for diverted jumbo jets.You can't miss it Dr Leunig, it's the place with all the aeroplanes parked up.
That, too, is missing a fast link to the city. Why not build one along the river?
Hardly likely given that successive governments have failed to invest in the region's road infrastructure. And the doctor's mate 'Dave' Cameron would be no better if his mob got in.
One thing is beyond dispute. We can do without these think tankers.