View From The Road
Traffic, Fracking Woes Similar Across The Pond
A recent 1,600-mile driving vacation in mostly rural Iceland, Scotland, and England provided a view of how residents of these areas cope with situations similar to those facing Denverites.
For example, underground hydraulic fracturing of shale (fracking) to release oil and natural gas is a big issue in England, just as in Colorado. It is not unusual to see a “no fracking” banner on a fence along a highway.
In another instance, residents of many villages are concerned with large-scale commercial and residential development.
While Icelandic government officials generally get high marks, people in England don’t like politicians any more than Americans do. One worker at London’s Gatwick Airport candidly, and rather bluntly, remarked of his city’s mayor, “Boris Johnson is an idiot.”
Traffic and parking are a terrible problem in Scotland and England. This reflects the recent comments about Cherry Creek from Ajay Menon, Dean of CSU Business School, who says one-third of urban congestion is caused by people looking for a place to park.
Iceland – an independent nation in the North Atlantic – gained independence from Denmark in 1944. Iceland has a total population of about 330,000, with about two-thirds on the Reykjanes peninsula in the far southwest.
Scotland and England are separate countries, joined by the Act of Union, with a shared monarch. With Wales and Northern Ireland, the four countries form “The United Kingdom,” also referred to as Great Britain.
It is insulting to say the British drive on “the wrong side of the road.” Britons drive on the left, along with most Commonwealth countries, Ireland, and Japan. European truck drivers are adept at driving with an opposite side steering wheel.
Just as residents in 11 northern Colorado counties recently voted on separating from Colorado, Scotland will have a referendum in September on complete independence. Actors Sean Connery and Alan Cumming support independence, while opponents question economic viability. For example, nobody seems quite certain what’s required to set up an entire separate country.
On fracking, The Daily Mail newspaper reports Queen Elizabeth II has asked ministers to “reform planning law” to encourage new home building where hydraulic extraction is permitted. The contentious Infrastructure Bill would allow developers to get drilling approval without going through local council government.
And just as higher-density development triggers disputes in Denver, residents of the Hawkhurst, Kent protest new homebuilding. Opponents have posted a banner in the village square reading: “Save Our Village. Stop the Development of 62 houses on Circus Field, Highgate Hill. 120 extra cars!!”
The banner message presupposes a departure from the traditional one car per household. With an improved economy, more cars clog narrow and winding roads.
Because of limited space and the cost of fuel, most European cars are what Americans call “compact,” i.e. wheelbase of around 100 inches (such as the Chevrolet Cruze), or more fuel-efficient sub-compacts. Gasoline currently costs about $7 per gallon. Almost every manufacturer has a little car, known as “city car” or ultra-compact, about the size of a two-person “smart” brand car in the U.S. The FIAT 500 and the new MINI are popular vehicles.
With the exception of the Chevrolet’s Spark city car and Aveo subcompact (sold in the U.S. as Sonic) manufacturers appear reluctant to import the much smaller cars because Americans continue to pay more for bigger vehicles.
Planners have to be flexible. The notion of easement becomes irrelevant when one edge of a main road is a stone wall and the other edge is a stone building, both hundreds of years old.
Historic properties cannot be changed externally. But even non-listed properties are subject to design standards. For example, the Henshaw village council recently required a renovated stone barn to keep the second story hayloft doorway.
Some problems are imported. London cab drivers oppose private operators who provide ride services through mobile phone — as Uber currently operates in Denver. In addition to established licensing standards, there are requirements specific to London. Traditionally, “black cabs” had to be high enough to accommodate a man wearing a top hat. These cab drivers also have extensive training for “the knowledge,” a familiarity with the complex web of small streets and lanes.
Since Gov. John Hickenlooper has signed SB125, Colorado has the dubious distinction of being the only state to legally sanction the operation of private ride providers (as detailed in last month’s issue of the Greater Park Hill News).
Ordinary people in both Iceland and Britain are flabbergasted that individuals can give money directly to political candidates in the States. In Iceland and Britain, people can only contribute a limited amount to a political party. The governments provide campaign support to all candidates. As the campaign finance debate continues in the U.S., the examples of Iceland and Britain present a strong argument for finance limitations and government campaign financing.
Political campaigns also have a time limit. For example, the “official” Scottish campaign could not begin until 90 days before voting in September.
While there is no absolute response to these and many other issues, it seems that our politicians who go on “fact finding” tours would be well advised to actually seek out useful facts by listening to ordinary people.
Dave Felice is an at-large delegate on the Greater Park Hill Community Board of Governors. Tune in next month for Part 2 of his travelogue.