Things I’d Like From London’s New Mayor

Speaking at City Hall earlier today Boris Johnson promised to listen to ideas no matter where they came from so for anyone I’ve not already bored into a coma with them here are the two small things I’d like to see.

First, Oyster cards in taxis – it would be great to be able to pay for a cab via Oyster pay as you go. It’s a nice convenient way to pay and would be handy for those late nights when you find yourself queuing at a cashpoint somewhere iffy before you can hail a cab.

Presumably cab drivers would also find them safer than handling lots of cash?

Secondly it would be nice to see some civic pride on display.

Across London there are fire stations, schools and housing developments sporting the emblems of the LCC, GLA and ILEA but almost none of the bodies currently responsible for these inherited buildings seems to have any desire to preserve the signs of past London institutions.

Looking up you can easily see faded and crumbling shields (see picture above) and we’re in danger of seeings these little links with the past lost forever.

The cost of some red, white and blue paints to restore these emblems wouldn’t exactly be expensive and the Mayor could give the money to the boroughs to do the work during their regular maintenance cycles.