Economy

After a flood washed away a British road and socialists couldn't repair for a year at a cost of millions, an entrepreneur built a toll road at a fraction of the cost.

""If this doesn't work out we are going to lose our house, Wendy and I took the decision together that we needed to do this for ourselves and the people we know.""

The people who will build the roads are the people who believe they are a good investment.

"Watts and his wife have been truly entrepreneurial in their venture, which cost £150,000 to build and will require another £150,000 to maintain over the next five months (compared to an estimated £1.5 million to repair the damaged road). But they’re confident they’ve made the right decision both for themselves and local drivers. Unlike the “patrons” of public roads, Watts’ customers know up front how much they have to pay and what to expect for their money. He’s charging £2 per vehicle, and already has 1,250 customers daily. Shockingly, his road is somehow serviceable and drivers are using it even though it hasn’t received approval from local safety inspectors."

The government will try to destroy these people.

"Of course, given the ease and efficiency of driving on his road, it’s no surprise that the Bath and North East Somerset Council (which is in charge of the local government roads), is trying to persuade motorists not to use it. But consumers are voting with their feet, so to speak, and taking the toll road anyway. Just another example of the market intervening to solve problems of government failure."

They won't try persuading for long. They will bring down the hammer.