In praise of… taking the initiative

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/aug/04/in-praise-of-taking-the-initiative

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It is very hard to be patient in the face of expensive, time-consuming and long-lasting delays, particularly where there is no clear explanation. Take the wait for the Edinburgh tram to be built, for example, or the current frustration for Londoners at the inexplicably long time it takes to replace escalators, or, for those in the south-west, the teeth-grinding inconvenience of the closure on the A431 between Bristol and Bath, set to last until the end of the year. The diversion can add up to an hour to the daily commute, and sends traffic through small villages and along narrow roads. Or it did, until Mike Watts, a local businessman, and a local farmer teamed up and built a 365-metre bypass round the closed section of the road. The costs will be recouped by a modest toll for cars and motorbikes. Lorries are not allowed. The new road opened at the weekend. Who dares wins, as the motto goes. So far, at least.