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The Champion • Wednesday 9 January 2013It’s been a bad week forthe humble non car ownerIT’S been a pretty bad week for noncar owners such as I.We have successive Governmentssounding off about Saving the Planet,and justifying sky–high taxation ofmotor fuel on the grounds that this is a‘Green Tax’ designed to wean mostof you out of your cars.Yet at the same time, terrified ofreally upsetting the motoring lobby,politicians try to make a virtue of notimposing another ‘Green’increment.To hear them talk you’d think theyhad somehow reduced the cost ofdriving.But what alternatives? Well, ofcourse, cycling is the new saviour ofthe ozone layer (remember that?).But let’s face it, cycling is not reallyfor the many as a practical form ofeveryday transport.Quite apart from it being the mostdangerous way of getting about, trycycling 10 miles or so to work – andback – in all weathers.Oh, and you can forget about pickingup some shopping on the way hometoo.Or, like me you can turn to Shank’spony (and that’s been a damp andmiserable experience lately), the busand the train.So what is our wonderfully ‘Green’Government doing to encourage us todo any of these things?Well, they are reducing the busoperators’ grant and mutteringdarkly about withdrawing or limitingfree bus travel for elderly people.And then they are presiding over thisdaft scheme of raising train faresannually by the cost of inflation plustwo per cent. Her Majesty’sOpposition are screaming about theiniquity of this of course – though itwas they who introduced thismoney–making masterplan someyears ago.And by the way, it is risible to suggestthat the extra money raised isreinvested in the railway. It goes intothe pot at the Ministry of Transport (isit still called that?) and is just as likelyto end up in a new runway atHeathrow or a motorway wideningscheme.Still, enough of this for the present.Believe it or not, the thing thatSFbrought this ‘Dog’ on was not theunfair rising of train fares, or theequally unfair treatment of our busoperators, not even the silly idea of usall on our bikes.No it was an article I scanned in anational motoring magazine about asoon to be released Mercedes Benzthat will come fully fitted out with avariety of driver aids, many of whichare there to relieve the driver ofhaving to think or do for him orherself.This includes headlights whichautomatically come onto full beam.When the car detects a vehiclecoming towards it, these lights areautomatically ‘masked’ – which Itake to mean dipped to you and me.Which is of course fine if you arepiloting an oncoming car.But somehow I doubt that it wouldtrouble to detect me or any otherpedestrian.Folk on foot at night are already putin real danger by direction turnindicators made totally invisible toanyone on the nearside pavement ifthey are incorporated into the mainheadlamp unit – as many these daysare, presumably for reasons of styling.Now we are to be subjected to carswhich automatically ignore us atnight. It’s bad enough on a well–litroad. Just try walking an out of townroad or country lane at night andbeing blinded by an oncoming car onfull beam.Visit us @ www.ChampNews.com • 19H&J BathroomsWelcome to the most luxurious but inexpensivebathroom showroom in SouthportWhat do we offerthat others don’t?Personal service backedby 35 years know-how inthe business.We can just supply, or youcan take advantage of ourfree home planning serviceand expertinstallation.We can do a small job or acomplete service whichincludes everything fromdesign to laying tiles orother ooring.‘One look is wortha thousand words.’Please come and see usnext time you shop atMorrisons or B&M Bargains(We are situated rightbetween the two car parks)Got an interesting story to tell?Champ Newsdesk 01704 392400OPENTuesday - Saturday10am - 5pmThe Anchorage Building,Kingsway, SouthportPR8 1ND (Off Lord Street)Tel: 01704 5142161115542WINTER SALE NOW ONShopping ExperienceA whole new world at WebstersNEW RANGES from Bassini andJenny Lloyd Ladieswear alsoHarbenware - Cookware & KitchenwarePlus a large giftware department from Woodswww.webstersoftarleton.co.ukWebsters, the family-owned storein Tarleton, near Southport, has nowevolved into an even better shoppingexperience. And over the next few monthsmore prestigious retailers will be addedto the list of quality retailers alreadyhappily established there.And not forgetting Whittles FarmRestaurant and Coffee Shop forlunch, a drink or snack. Whittles FarmRestaurant specialises in fresh localproduce, home-cooked cuisine, heartysoups, sandwiches and light-bites. It alsocaters for parties and groups and specialmenus for events can be arranged.Restaurant & Coffee Shop1115334Websters of Tarleton, 94 Church Road, Tarleton PR4 6UPtel: 01772 812249Opening times: Closed Mondays • NOW OPEN SUNDAYS 11am - 4pm • Tuesday - Saturday 9am - 5pmWhittle’s FarmRestaurant and CoffeeShop01772 817435www.whittlesfarm.com