Ballachulish's Big Bridge (2)
From one car on planks to three cars and a rudimentary fold-up ramp ...
At peak times three ferries shuttled back and forth to attempt to cope with the growing traffic, especially in Summer. 
There were still long queues with motorists wondering whether to wait or "enjoy" the lengthy detour via Kinlochleven.
From dodgy memory, fbb and dad did ride via Kinlocheven at the lad's suggestion. It was indeed picturesque, but did become tedious. There is only so much delight you can get from one stretch of water and a few hills!
Ten years later it would have been no contest and no debate.
The bridge, opened in 1975, would have sped the two generation's swiftly to Fort William. After a night's hotel stay, the fbb's caught a train to Mallaig and back. This was, of course, from the original Fort William station, bang in the centre of town.
And for those unfamiliar with the likes of the Ballachulish ferry, here is a video of how they were operated.
The turntable was well lubricated and turned by hand, but the process needed great skill in ensuring the the vehicle load was evenly balanced.
Primitive but effective!
Oxford Street Closed!
Well, a significant chunk thereof.
Work has now started on preparing for the change.
Oxford Street is technically part of the A40. It is a very busy shopping street often filled with nose to tail buses.
Proposals for closure have been around for what seems like ages and have survived an earlier court case whereby the local authority challenged the Mayor's decision - and lost!
The pedestrianisation will be from Selfridges in the West ...
... past Bond Street Underground station; then on past John Lewis to Oxford Circus ...
... also an underground station, ending at Great Portland Street ...
... above map far right.
Readers, who are of fbb's generation, may remember the Oxford Circus "Umbrella".
It was a steel platform raising the road a few feet to facilitate work in the station below in connection with building the Victoria Line.
The upcoming disruption to buses will be far worse than the bump over the umbrella; with London Transport planners having many a headache before the traffic ban and many crossed fingers on the first and subsequent days.
Bus passengers are going to be very frustrated, especially if there is no printed bus publicity!
The result might look like this.
Transport for London is being very coy about temporary disruption and the permanent consequences!
Works will be needed in the Oxford Street area as we prepare to make Oxford Street traffic free - this will mean changes to some bus routes in the area.
These changes will be introduced in phases, with different routes affected at different times.
Check before you travel and use TfL Go or Journey Planner for the latest information on yot.
ur route.
That's all that TfL are saying at the moment.
Changes to some buses? Define "some" TfL!
Yet Another Attempt
The London press has recently reported that Westminster Council has tried again to delay the project.
The attempt is based on one of the usual ploys.
But the attempt was almost certainly to be rejected all along
Whoops!
... but such failures are rarely errors. Usually the auditors have found something they do not like OR the company's accountants are struggling to explain an embarrassing bludner in the figures.
Whatever, such a delay is often bad news.
The Honourable Member Knows ...
... all about how to run a train company. This member with rail management expertise is Lee Barron, MP for Corby and East Northamptonshire.
The Company has had problems with its new trains (well, there's a surprise!) with statistics not helped by the recent prang.
What the MP doesn't seem to understand is that the operator will soon be nationalised at which point, theoretically, Mr Barron and his MP chums will own East Midlands trains and it would be them who would need to sort it out.
Interesting challenge, eh, Mr Barron.
Bank Holiday Quiz : Answers 2
DEVON
LEWIS
EASTBOURNE
SKYE, GREAT BRITAIN MAINLAND
AMBERLEY MUSEUM
BOURNEMOUTH
HACKNEY
SIDMOUTH
SEATON
BRISTOL, THE CENTRE
Next Financial blog : Monday 7 Sept
