Talking Allergies

The article on the new green revolution in the summer issue was very interesting but there is so much more than meets the eye when it comes to the controversial issue of London's congestion charge. First of all, the daily charge is no longer 5 pounds. It changed to 8 pounds (approx $17 Canadian) and the zone was extended in February 2007. I am interested in the long term impact this will have on the environment but as a London resident, I question the practicality of this charge. The London Underground (subway system) does not yet have the capacity to accommodate all the travellers who are no longer using their cars. In a city of 8 million people, the tube is vastly overcrowded and breaks down on a daily basis. There is insufficient parking space near railway or tube stations for those travelling to London from the outskirts. And even with a reduced fee for the residents who happen to live in the congestion charge zone, it is not financially viable to drive to the supermarket and shop for groceries between 7am and 6pm (congestion charge hours). Therefore, supermarkets in the area are overcrowded on weekends and some of them are not open late enough on weekdays. Businesses have been impacted by the charge and workers had to be laid off. Some of the richest people on the planet live in London, precisely in the congestion charge zone. Most of them will continue to drive their cars and pay the charge because they can afford it... and they'll keep buying SUVs, which are becoming increasingly visible on the streets of London. Those who can no longer afford to live in London will most likely move to the suburbs, where the houses are bigger and consume more energy. Sometimes I feel as though it's a vicious circle.

With talk of the charge going up to 10 pounds in the future, it will be impossible for the average person to afford living there. I'm not against introducing some kind of green fee to offset emissions but it seems to me that London should have analyzed and improved its infrastructure before imposing the congestion charge. It all seems like a good idea in theory but we you live there, you tend to see things a bit differently.

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15-year-old son: peanuts, nuts, raw egg whites, asthmatic
Self: allergic rhinitis, fragrance/chemical sensitivities, oral allergy syndrome

I wonder if a possible solution to travel/commuting/pollution would be to encourage companies to have more "work from home" positions. With the internet now, its easy to stay connected, and avoid the commutes and therefore have more time for your actual job, and your personal life. My husband works from home 2 or 3 days a week, when he's not travelling. My neighbour is just starting a job too where she can work from home while being at home with her toddler. Her husband works shift work, so sometimes he's able to help and other times her work can wait until her daughters nap. No commute...just down the stairs to the home office.

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DD age 9 1/2 -peanuts, nuts,
DD age 7 1/2 - milk, eggs, chicken, peanuts, treenuts, cats, dogs,
DS age 2 1/2
Husband- asthma, eggs, treenuts, fish, shellfish environmental
Self - penicillan, eurithromiacin, mild laytex allergy.

Yes, I work from home and it's great! I don't think I could be based in London if I had to commute!

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15-year-old son: peanuts, nuts, raw egg whites, asthmatic
Self: allergic rhinitis, fragrance/chemical sensitivities, oral allergy syndrome