Comments on: Is this rubbish ‘the big one’ Gilligan was saving up? http://www.stopboris.org/blog/2008/04/30/is-this-rubbish-the-big-one-gilligan-was-saving-up/ Sat, 19 May 2012 02:47:14 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: Phil Taylor http://www.stopboris.org/blog/2008/04/30/is-this-rubbish-the-big-one-gilligan-was-saving-up/#comment-717 Phil Taylor Thu, 01 May 2008 08:08:57 +0000 http://www.stopboris.org/blog/2008/04/30/is-this-rubbish-the-big-one-gilligan-was-saving-up/#comment-717 I am sorry guys but the TfL figures and mine pretty much come out the same. They say they have £382 million net. I say yes when you look at the revenue account but when you then subtract £322 million of capital costs and £18 million (my estimate) for R&D and consultation that leaves about £40 million out of £1.2 billion. There will be some small differences as my figures for the year just ended are estimates - TfL will publish them in June. See all figures on spreadsheet here: http://conservativehome.blogs.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/2008/02/17/cc_figures_2008.jpg Some might say that it is not fair to weigh the capital costs in the balance but remember that the ANPR technology is just a temporary solution on the way to tag and beacon and that all the capital is technology and cameras left out in the rain so it is hard to make a case that any of it is going to last very long. Five years maybe but not 20. On a cash flow basis this scheme has taken £1.2 billion off Londoners in 5 years and produced no net cash to speak of. If this is competence then no thanks! If Joe Blow thought that all but 14p of his £8 Congestion Charge was just going to be spent on the charge itself he would happily strangle Livingstone - which is why he has been at such pains to hide this information. I am sorry guys but the TfL figures and mine pretty much come out the same.

They say they have £382 million net. I say yes when you look at the revenue account but when you then subtract £322 million of capital costs and £18 million (my estimate) for R&D and consultation that leaves about £40 million out of £1.2 billion. There will be some small differences as my figures for the year just ended are estimates - TfL will publish them in June.

See all figures on spreadsheet here:

http://conservativehome.blogs.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/2008/02/17/cc_figures_2008.jpg

Some might say that it is not fair to weigh the capital costs in the balance but remember that the ANPR technology is just a temporary solution on the way to tag and beacon and that all the capital is technology and cameras left out in the rain so it is hard to make a case that any of it is going to last very long. Five years maybe but not 20.

On a cash flow basis this scheme has taken £1.2 billion off Londoners in 5 years and produced no net cash to speak of. If this is competence then no thanks! If Joe Blow thought that all but 14p of his £8 Congestion Charge was just going to be spent on the charge itself he would happily strangle Livingstone - which is why he has been at such pains to hide this information.

]]> By: The Tory Troll http://www.stopboris.org/blog/2008/04/30/is-this-rubbish-the-big-one-gilligan-was-saving-up/#comment-695 The Tory Troll Wed, 30 Apr 2008 22:19:09 +0000 http://www.stopboris.org/blog/2008/04/30/is-this-rubbish-the-big-one-gilligan-was-saving-up/#comment-695 Andrew, can you please pass on my apologies to Keith Dovkants for having referred to him as you. I don't know how I made such a terrible mistake. I just saw a worthless story based on an anonymous source and for some reason I thought the story must be yours. Please pass on my sincerest apologies to Keith. Andrew, can you please pass on my apologies to Keith Dovkants for having referred to him as you. I don’t know how I made such a terrible mistake. I just saw a worthless story based on an anonymous source and for some reason I thought the story must be yours. Please pass on my sincerest apologies to Keith.

]]> By: Mr. Stop Boris http://www.stopboris.org/blog/2008/04/30/is-this-rubbish-the-big-one-gilligan-was-saving-up/#comment-694 Mr. Stop Boris Wed, 30 Apr 2008 21:29:20 +0000 http://www.stopboris.org/blog/2008/04/30/is-this-rubbish-the-big-one-gilligan-was-saving-up/#comment-694 Mr. Gilligan! How good of you to drop by. And such a kind offer. I'd certainly fall into the 99.9% of LDA grants which have been used for worthwhile causes, that's for sure. I've corrected the one inaccuracy (you not being the 'journalist' behind the Standard's story) in the above post in an addendum. I now look forward to the Standard reciprocating by issuing an entire newspaper's worth of corrections for the inaccuracies and misleading headlines they've carried over the past nine months. Mr. Gilligan! How good of you to drop by. And such a kind offer. I’d certainly fall into the 99.9% of LDA grants which have been used for worthwhile causes, that’s for sure.

I’ve corrected the one inaccuracy (you not being the ‘journalist’ behind the Standard’s story) in the above post in an addendum. I now look forward to the Standard reciprocating by issuing an entire newspaper’s worth of corrections for the inaccuracies and misleading headlines they’ve carried over the past nine months.

]]> By: Andrew Gilligan http://www.stopboris.org/blog/2008/04/30/is-this-rubbish-the-big-one-gilligan-was-saving-up/#comment-693 Andrew Gilligan Wed, 30 Apr 2008 20:50:33 +0000 http://www.stopboris.org/blog/2008/04/30/is-this-rubbish-the-big-one-gilligan-was-saving-up/#comment-693 Accurate to the last, I see. That story isn't even written by me! But can I take this opportunity to thank "Stop Boris" for providing us all at the Standard with hours of family entertainment. We're thinking of asking Lee Jasper to get you a grant... Accurate to the last, I see. That story isn’t even written by me! But can I take this opportunity to thank “Stop Boris” for providing us all at the Standard with hours of family entertainment. We’re thinking of asking Lee Jasper to get you a grant…

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