Random Irritations

Most times there are non-toll N roads you can use in France, and that's what most people use for shorter journeys. It's probably why the autoroutes tend to be less congested than British motorways.

I used to regularly do Calais to the Alps, and the toll for the whole trip was about €60 or so, which on a per mile basis is a bargain compared to the UK.
Precisely. N roads are generally free, and motorways are generally toll-paying. But you wouldn’t want to go too far just using N roads. (I've tried ...:(). At least in the case of the M6 there's a cost-free motorway alternative if you choose - there's generally not an alternative motorway choice in France.
 
Sorry, what is a PFI?
Private Finance Initiative. Private companies are paid to build major infrastructure like bridges, hospitals and schools. Apparently they are cheaper than using public money but then the companies charge stupid money to maintain the facility. Prices such as £400 to change a lightbulb have been mentioned in the past.
 
I thought it was sold to the French years ago
Nope that’s a common misconception that’s done the rounds over the years Sanef was awarded a contract to put in the free flowing toll system and another French company was awarded a contract to run the payment systems and software. But the crossing and charges were never sold off to anyone and continue to be collected by Dept of Transport.
 
Private Finance Initiative. Private companies are paid to build major infrastructure like bridges, hospitals and schools. Apparently they are cheaper than using public money but then the companies charge stupid money to maintain the facility. Prices such as £400 to change a lightbulb have been mentioned in the past.

Tony Blair did A LOT of this with hospitals. In the end it costs the country about 3-4 times the original cost. Terrible financial waste but great for those in power to look good in the short term.
 
Tony Blair did A LOT of this with hospitals. In the end it costs the country about 3-4 times the original cost. Terrible financial waste but great for those in power to look good in the short term.

The decision to go down the PFI route was based on the need for the new hospital, school, toll road etc but not having the money to build them.

I’ve worked with and for several PFI’s. The mechanics are relatively simple but the detail behind it would take a few reams to discuss. The reality is the first sentence above. The country needed infrastructure spending but didn’t have the money in the bank nor the collateral to borrow that volume.

It was almost a Hobson’s Choice.
 
The decision to go down the PFI route was based on the need for the new hospital, school, toll road etc but not having the money to build them.

I’ve worked with and for several PFI’s. The mechanics are relatively simple but the detail behind it would take a few reams to discuss. The reality is the first sentence above. The country needed infrastructure spending but didn’t have the money in the bank nor the collateral to borrow that volume.

It was almost a Hobson’s Choice.
I've worked for financial institutions with a PFI arm......I liken it to leasing a new car instead of buying. You don't have the money up front to buy outright (or build in the case of PFI usually), so you get someone else to buy (build) and then pay to use it over an extended period.

Criticism of PFI is that the ongoing charges for use and maintenance can be excessive. But it built a lot of hospitals etc when governments couldn't afford to.
 
Yodel.

Had a package getting delivered on Tuesday. I wasn’t going to be around all day, so updated the app to deliver to next door if I wasn’t in. Got a message saying they tried to deliver, but failed. Checked with neighbour, they never went near them.

They said they would try to redeliver, I chose today for the new delivery. Just looked at the app, they have returned the parcel to the sender. Useless.
 
I've worked for financial institutions with a PFI arm......I liken it to leasing a new car instead of buying. You don't have the money up front to buy outright (or build in the case of PFI usually), so you get someone else to buy (build) and then pay to use it over an extended period.

Criticism of PFI is that the ongoing charges for use and maintenance can be excessive. But it built a lot of hospitals etc when governments couldn't afford to.
My daughter runs a PFI. The waste from the NHS is staggering she says.
 
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