Lucia Adams
Download 'Too Hot', an exclusive Specials track from iTunes
It's official: Britain is a land of commuters. The overwhelming response to Bricks and Mortar's supercommuter survey on Times Online has made this very clear. We asked you to invite us on your journey; to tell us what you love and hate about the daily grind; the modes of transport you use; and how often you thought of giving it all up. So far, almost 2,000 people have responded, leaving more than 120,000 words of comment. Together, you have written the testament of our times, a fifth of the size of War and Peace.
Through it we are gaining a fascinating insight into Britain on the move. For some, it is a means to a better standard of living - a way to combine a city salary with country idyll, or life in another country entirely. For many the journey is “me time” to read or chew the cud after a stressful day at work. For others it is an opportunity to exercise; a quarter of respondents walk or cycle part of the way to the office.
But, for a large number, commuting is borne out of necessity: high house prices or a dearth of good inner-city schools is forcing some to endure hours of boredom and delays. One in five of those who responded fantasises daily about giving up the commute.
As your responses continue to roll in, we bring you a round-up of the best so far:
WHAT KEEPS YOU COMMUTING?
“London wages minus Midlands outgoings equals lots left over!”
“Property near work in NW1 is too expensive. I'd rather live in a spacious two-bedroom flat than a studio.”
“I can't afford to work locally - my salary would more than halve.”
“It doesn't bother me: I work on the train and charge it to my clients.”
“I am doing it to earn enough to emigrate: I am seeing sense and moving to Sydney.”
WHAT'S YOUR MESSAGE TO THE TRANSPORT SECRETARY?
“Paying £3,000 a year to stand on journeys is poor value for money!”
“Introduce double-decker trains.”
“No more tax increases for drivers until public transport can cope.”
“Renationalise rail and Tube.”
DO YOU HAVE AN UNUSUAL COMMUTE?
“I commute every week from Carcassonne, in France, to Victoria.”
“I used to take the boat from HMS Belfast in SE1 to Canary Wharf in the late Nineties - £1 each way and often a cuppa thrown in for good measure by the crew. It made going to work a pleasure.”
“I travel by plane from Manchester airport to Docklands daily.”
“I do triathalons and will sometimes leave the car at home, cycle the 14 miles to the station and then run from Waterloo to my office in the City.”
“By rollerblade from Putney to the West End - it takes longer and paving stones can prove problematic, but I love it”
Lenders continue to use tight criteria to decide who will — and will not — qualify for a home loan, so follow these tips
A golden oldie standing in the shadow of an 11th-century castle awaits discovery in Lewes, East Sussex,
The designer recalls his teenage years in a village near Milan, where he learnt the ropes of the family traditions
Eco furnishings now have syle as well as substance, thanks to a new breed of designers who recycle materials
Win a luxury weekend to Newcastle and its neighbour Gateshead, find out more here
Risk, resilience and embracing new technology
Industry sectors news at a glance. Interactive heatmap, video and podcast
Discover the power of collective thinking. Submit a solution and be in with a chance to win a Media Hub Home Entertainment System
The inside track on current trends in the charity, not for profit and social enterprise sectors
Everything the Business Traveller needs to know to make a better trip
Make the most of the summer and enter our fabulous photographic competition, you could win a £5000 holiday
Corsica is an island of beauty and contrast, an ideal holiday destination
Enjoy further reading from Travel to Fashion, Business to Sport, discover more




|
|
|
|
|
|
Essential reading whether you're buying, selling, improving or moving
Shortcuts to help you find sections and articles
The clever way to lease a new car is with Car leasing made simple™
2009
per month on 36-month
Personal Contract Hire (PCH)
2008
42850
Car Insurance
£24,250 - £30,346
MI5
London
£60,000
The Environment Agency
Bristol
Up to £90K
Boots
Midlands
OTE £85k
Credit Protection Association
Nationwide Opportunities
Completely London
Luxury Condo's in Manhattan with NYC views
The best new homes in Wimbledon?
Nationwide
Fabulous Cruise And Cruise & Stay Offers Including Virgin Atlantic Flights Prices Start From Only £699pp!
Last Minute Cruise And Cruise & Stay Offers. Med From £499pp, Caribbean From £699pp!
5 star quality at a 3 star price.
8 fabulous Canadian cities ...you won’t find cheaper
Contact our advertising team for advertising and sponsorship in Times Online, The Times and The Sunday Times, or place your advertisement.
Times Online Services: Dating | Jobs | Property Search | Used Cars | Holidays | Births, Marriages, Deaths | Subscriptions | E-paper
News International associated websites: Globrix Property Search | Property Finder | Milkround
Copyright 2009 Times Newspapers Ltd.
This service is provided on Times Newspapers' standard Terms and Conditions. Please read our Privacy Policy.To inquire about a licence to reproduce material from Times Online, The Times or The Sunday Times, click here.This website is published by a member of the News International Group. News International Limited, 1 Virginia St, London E98 1XY, is the holding company for the News International group and is registered in England No 81701. VAT number GB 243 8054 69.