Letter: I Look Down on Pedestrians, But Up to Drivers…

Published on: 18 Dec, 2019
Updated on: 18 Dec, 2019

From Harry Eve

Devil take the hindmost.

“I am a pedestrian and I look up to cyclists and drivers. They are much faster than me and have the power to kill or maim me.”

“I am a cyclist and I look down on pedestrians. They don’t seem to be aware of me and often get in my way, especially when I am riding on a footpath or pavement. I look up to drivers. They are much faster than me and have the power to kill or maim me.”

“I am a driver and I look down on cyclists and pedestrians. Pedestrians think they can walk in the road when there is no pavement and they hold me up at crossings. Cyclists get in my way even when they are doing 25mph in a 20mph limit, and they gang up to slow me right down on country lanes.

“They ignore traffic lights and don’t get fined for it.”

“I am the Earth and I look down on humans. They were alright until they started making things and poking holes in me but there are too many of them now and I find myself wearing a different cloak because of the things they are doing. I don’t mind the heat or increasing sea levels.

“None of that bothers me as my system will weed out the life that cannot cope and evolve new forms that can. My system also has a way of dealing with overpopulation and there are plenty of other fish in the sea. At least there were the last time I looked; perhaps I had better check.”

Responses to Letter: I Look Down on Pedestrians, But Up to Drivers…

John Perkins Reply

December 18, 2019 at 10:24 pm

I wish I’d written that.
Jim Allen Reply

December 19, 2019 at 8:12 am

Congratulations to Harry Eve. Excellent. Merry Christmas to him.
Patricia Macpherson Reply

December 19, 2019 at 9:37 am

That is so clever. Well done Harry!
Gina Redpath Reply

December 19, 2019 at 5:53 pm

Harry Eve’s letter deserves much praise. Fantastic food for thought.

Would he give permission to forward it to the XR gathering?
- Harry Eve Reply
  
  December 19, 2019 at 8:15 pm
  
  Thank you for the kind comments. A happy, and merry Christmas to The Guildford Dragon and its readership, regardless of viewpoint, political leanings, dietary preferences or preferred mode of transport.
- Harry Eve Reply
  
  December 19, 2019 at 8:15 pm
  
  Yes – happy to.
Bob Bromham Reply

January 8, 2020 at 7:44 am

A very apt portrayal of the transport situation in Guildford. Yet the government transport hierarchy, that is embedded in the policies of our local councils, is the other way round, with walking (pedestrians) at the top.

Sadly, this is ignored and the town is still dominated by cars. The problem is well-illustrated by the High Street scene just after 4pm on Christmas Eve, a time when local residents, like the writer, expect to enjoy the festive atmosphere.

But this is ruined by cars speeding up the street with blazing headlights, making the Christmas lights fade into insignificance, and scattering and frightening pedestrians, especially those looking after children.

This does not happen in any comparable town. Guildford must urgently correct this situation and make the town welcoming to pedestrians, particularly local residents who wish to avoid using their cars.