London’s problems of living and travelling are addressed by ever-higher rates of investment and by transferring most of the problems beyond its boundaries. The larger towns of the South East survive by the rebuilding of those whose character is already lost, and by rigorous restraint by those which retain their self-respect. The latter export their problems and costs but the countryside and its villages cannot deflect the problems of others as their local plans provide no protection. The external pressures which degrade and destroy the fragile fabric of community are beyond control.

By Sir Alan Muir Wood, FRS, FREng

Excerpt from http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,59-1563662,00.html