The 'all or nothing' approach

CLOSING a canal for only half a mile but effectively closing the whole of the canal is but an extension of the 'all or nothing' approach we have seen for many years. writes Bill Ridgeway.

A train service is stopped because of faulty signals despite the 'stop and proceed' rule which permits passing a red aspect 'at no more than walking speed' and, thereby keeping some sort of service going. Similarly faulty points may be scotched and locked.

Long line of bollards

We see traffic on as much as 10 miles of roads slowed down because of works when the only apparent sign of anything is a long lines of bollards.

There used to be a time when the customer was always right and some sort of service was maintained no matter what. Now, when there is a need to do any work or maintenance, the notion of providing a service to the paying customer goes out of the window in favour of convenience for the contractor.