There are some quintessentially British problems that we, as individuals, can do almost nowt about. For starters, the UK’s road network, vehicle parking facilities and public carry systems are at best inadequate, at worst unfit for purpose – despite the fact that we pay through the nose for them.
Another major issue is the obsession with 9-5. This tradition forces workers and students to clock on and off at more or less the same time. Result? Millions of commuters travelling from A to B in unison. It’s madness. In these times of social distancing, everyone travelling at the same time is needlessly and unacceptably risky, and it’s largely avoidable, too. So can we please right away start the process of relying less on a Britain that’s 9-5, Monday-Friday, and more 24/7/365, where we exploit all the hours of our days, not just a small proportion?
Can I drive my automobile during the Covid-19 lockdown?
Let’s leave the school run as it is, allowing kids to travel to and from school during their usual 7am-9am and 3pm-5pm slots, when the light is generally good and they’re safest. We also need to respect the needs of the elderly and vulnerable, who typically prefer to travel at the brightest times of day. but what about the vast majority of working adults? They’re tens of millions strong, but do they need to stick to the 9-5 ‘norm’ when we know the roads and railways – never mind social distancing – can no longer cope? Cars, vans, trucks, buses and trains and the people aboard them forced to blitz inadequate roads and tracks during rush hours is plain dumb. Some traditions need to be abandoned, and this is one of ’em.
Advertisement – article continues below