Zhoosh Magazine - February 2009 - (Page 12)

yesterday I pulled a muscle in my shoulder. Am I using the NHS resources to sort my problem out? No, I’m paying for it privately, my reasoning being that if I can pay for the lesson in the first place, it’s only fair that I should pay to sort myself out afterwards. A friend suggested yesterday that I should not waste my money on private physiotherapy but should use the NHS, but where does this mentality stop? Maybe I should insist on a prescription for my sports drinks… and my high protein diet isn’t cheap; should the state pay for that? But if you inject some sensible rational thought and an element of personal responsibility into the mixing pot, the argument is reduced to rubbish, which is where this links in to the congestion charge. All the negative publicity about how Manchester would, over night, be transformed to an empty ghost town, businesses would go bankrupt, and employees couldn’t afford to work there… absolute rubbish! If that had happened, (unlikely) then it wouldn’t be because of the congestion charge, it would be due to the unwillingness of the ‘general public’ to lower themselves to getting on a bus, at the risk of sitting next to someone a bit weird, or even worse, smelly. One of the key scaremongering tactics was that it would cost an extra ‘£1,200 per year’ for individuals!? Oh really? Not if you drag your sorry ass on a bus / tram / train / park & ride it won’t! It will only cost you more if you insist on using your damn car! In which case, your resistance to the improvement of the city deserves to be taxed. Think of the benefits to the NHS to have the lazy of Manchester walking past their cars to the nearest bus stop, tram stop or train station. Think of the calories this would burn, and the more social aspect to this would offer in contrast to sitting in their own lard fuelling bubble inhaling fumes from the surrounding vehicles. I have thought about this whole congestion charge issue and the current transport infrastructure in relation to the city I grew up in: Glasgow. Glasgow doesn’t have a congestion charge. It doesn’t need one. If you want to go anywhere quickly, you use public transport. It’s a no brainer. Glasgow’s main shopping streets are all pedestrianised and wherever you live, you are never far from a bus stop. When I moved back to Glasgow a couple of years ago, I rarely used my car. Why? It would have taken me 30 min plus to get to the city via car, but the train got me there in 6 minutes. Manchester needed a better transport system, but the difference is in money & snobbery. There’s much more affluence in this area of the country than Glasgow which has in contrast, significant poverty. Whilst this isn’t a good thing, it means people don’t need to be bullied out of using their cars. And in a city where the school run attire is pyjamas and a coat rather than a hatchback, snobbery surrounding public transport doesn’t come in to it! When you have a well planned, well organised integrated transport system unless you use your vehicle for business, you really don’t need one. Karen Julia Walking away from congestion Forget transport, get yourself a pair of good shoes and a pedometer. By the time you read this I will have walked more than 120 miles since Boxing Day. I started small, short walks each day and I am now walking an average of 3 miles a day. The benefits have suprised me, obviously I can eat more cake as I’m buring more calories but I’m also discovering parks and greenspaces across Manchester I never knew existed. My ipod is in constant use as I wander round Manchester taking in wonderful architecture I’ve even started talking to strangers. I’m more toned and gaining flexibility as I swap my sedentary sofa activities for a brisk walk in the evening. Last summer I walked to work and back most days, I did not want to be standing in a humid tin on wheels being pushed and shoved whilst listening to 30 seperate mobile conversations. Key commuter bus routes are beginning to resemble tube sitations as people jostle to get into the bus, all queuing etiquette left by the roadside. I think the Yes campaign failed because it didn’t educate people in the practical alternatives I don’t care about new metrolink lines, extra services and rising train and bus fares. I’m walking away from congestion, reducing my carbon footprint, getting fitter and learning to enjoy the benefits of a slower pace. Walking is better than anything I know for lifting your mood the LGF have recently launched Gay City Strollers (email jen.green@ramblers.org.uk for more info) a 4 week introduction to urban walking to improve health and mental wellbeing through walking. You don’t have to live a short distance from work to start walking away from congestion, start by getting off a stop earlier for a week and feel the benefits. Leila Harrower Page 12

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Zhoosh Magazine - February 2009

Zhoosh Magazine - February 2009 Contents Features LGBT America What are You Reading? New Goth on the Block The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill Congestion, the Debate Continues... Sugar and Spice Genesis Wherefore ART Thou? LGBT History Month

Zhoosh Magazine - February 2009

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