Some of the old buildings like Cathedrals look stunning at night lit up, but the lights could be switched of at say, 11pm but they leave them on all night. If I remember correctly, when they first started lighting up churches and cathedrals they only used to do it on special occasions like Christmas and Easter. Now it's all the time. Apart from light pollution and knocking birds off course the financial cost must be astronomical and at the end of the day everyone who pays taxes is footing the bill. It is so hypocritical for governments to be forcing people to be energy conscious when they don't practice what they preach.

The present government in this country is on it's way out. We've had too much corruption and sleaze. Although there are many smaller political parties here the main two are Labour (which are or government at the moment) and Conservative. Although I wouldn't vote for either party (I support one of the smaller parties) the leader of the Conservatives is a very keen cyclist. He is destined to be Prime Minister in the not too distant future so perhaps we'll see pro-cycling policies coming in.

What I'd like to see (ambitious maybe):

All new roads with proper cycling lanes separated by crash barriers from vehicles.

Existing cycle lanes upgraded.

Dedicated cycle lanes put in every main route into town.

I would also like to see cyclists who do not use lights at night clamped down on hard along with those who refuse to obey they Highway Code. They are a menace to themselves and everyone else and give cyclists a bad name.