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Bikers plan "Objection Wednesday" as council fails to listen

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Written by Administrator Monday, 29 June 2009 18:53

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Objection WednesdayBikers frustrated at Westminster Council's failure to "listen", will be descending on City Hall this Wednesday (1st July) in another "mass" protest.

Westminster Council has failed to listen to thousands of bikers who are opposed to the introduction of parking fees for motorcycles. The council want to make the scheme permanent by applying for a new traffic order, however those opposed can object in a three week window ending on the 2nd July.

Dubbed "OBJECTION WEDNESDAY", the bikers intend to descend on City Hall (many on foot) during Wednesady evening when they will be handing in their "official" objections by hand. This could be a lengthy process because bikers will be individually requesting a receipt for their objection form. During the last objection period the numbers of "objections" that WCC officially counted had a passing resemblance to an Iranian election. Many of the objections were dismissed for all manner of reasons but more disturbingly the council failed to listen at all to the points the motorcyclists were trying to make.

How Westminster Council can utterly dismiss the views of thousands of people is quite disturbing. At one demonstration it was officially estimated (police source) that well over 4000 bikers protested, yet the council dismissed their objections with a degree of arrogance that was quite outrageous.

The bikers plan to meet at Golden square on the 1st July at 5.45-6.30pm prior to their ride to City Hall in Victoria Street SW1. Members of the public wishing to object can download a pre-printed objection form from HERE. The form does not have to be delivered by hand on the 1st July but it MUST be received by Westminster City Council by the 2nd July. See form for where to send it etc. Members of the people who object to the parking scheme but have no motorcycle are apparently also welcome to join the peaceful protest.

Source: NoToBikeParkingFees.com

 

Bikers fight back against councillor's "smear" campaign

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Written by Loretta Vendetta Wednesday, 03 June 2009 00:00

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No To Bike Parking Tax CampaignNext Tuesday (June 9th 2009) sees another protest by bikers dismayed by Westminster City Council's new parking charge for motorcycles. The next protest, called "Loopy Tuesday" is expected to cause extreme disruption to traffic around the Piccadilly Circus/Haymarket area on a day that co-incides with a planned tube strike.

Before every previous protest Councillor Danny Chalkley has issued statements and letters condemning the bikers action in what can only be described as an organised "smear" campagn to discredit them. This approach has back-fired on the councillor and much of his credibility as waned in recent months following inaccurate statements and "cheap" smear tactics designed to discredit the peaceful protesting bikers.

However, this time the bikers have pre-empted the councillor's actions. Warren Djanogly, the Chairman of the "No To Bike Parking Tax" Campaign has issued the following open letter:

Dear Sirs,

With just a week to go before another demonstration by citizens who, having realised not only the environmental, cost- and time-saving benefits of motorcycling/scootering, but also the pleasure and the sense of freedom, are furious at the richest borough in the UK, namely Westminster’s introduction of a charging scheme to park, the anticipation for my organising committee as to the numbers that will come and support is equalled by the anticipation as to what level of desperation Cllr Danny Chalkley will sink this time, or “Desperate Dan” as he has now become affectionately known...

Read more: Bikers fight back against councillor's "smear" campaign

   

Bizarre road markings confuse motorists

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Written by Loretta Vendetta Thursday, 28 May 2009 00:00

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Bizarre road markings ??These are some of the bizarre road markings confusing motorists across London and leaving them baffled about which restrictions apply.

Campaigners criticised the two councils involved - Barnet and Westminster - saying they "were more interested in revenue than getting restrictions right". They urge drivers to dispute fines.

Gresse Street near Tottenham Court Road had a yellow line sandwiched between two red lines, while part of Finchley Road in Temple Fortune had one side of a double yellow line painted white.

Neil Herron, who runs website Parking Appeals, said anyone caught out by the confusion should take their case further. He said: "According to the law, lines must be clear and unambiguous.

"Anyone who feels they have been misled or confused and who has received a ticket should appeal. They are over-resourced for enforcement, with lots of people issuing tickets, but when it comes to replacement of road markings they are very deficient."

Red lines are the responsibility of Transport For London, while yellow lines are looked after by the boroughs.

Kieran Fitsall, parking manager for Westminster council, said they could not explain the Gresse Street confusion.

He said: "This road is not a red route so we are puzzled as to why they have appeared. We will not be enforcing in this street until the issue has been resolved and if anybody feels they have been given a ticket in error they should contact us immediately."

A spokesman for TfL said the red lines were nothing to do with his authority. He said: "Gresse Street is not part of the Transport For London network.

An eagle eyed reader noted: "The incompetence doesn't stop there! The double yellow stripes on the kerb are intended to show that loading and unloading is prohibited at all times. However the stripes are shorter than is clearly specified in the traffic signs regulations which this local authority is either incapable of understanding or too lazy to read. The loading restrictions cannot be enforced either."

Source: This is London

   

WCC's own survey reveals 9 out of 10 bikers oppose parking charge

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Written by Loretta Vendetta Monday, 25 May 2009 00:00

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Survey results ignoredA recent Freedom of Information Request (FOI) has revealed the results of a parking survey into opinions to the parking charge for motorcyclists. The survey was carried out by in January and February 2009 by Steer Davies Gleave and commissioned by the WCC Parking Services department.

The results revealed that 87.9% of the motorcyclists surveyed were opposed to the charge. That's nearly 9 out of 10 against it.

On the 31st March 2009 the Scrutiny Committee meeting debating the subject failed to take into account the results of this survey when making their decision to continue with the charge. Why?

WCC also failed to reveal the results of the FOI request in the required time frame much to the dismay of the person submitting the request. By law public authorities must respond "promptly", and in any event not later than 20 working days after receiving your request. Why did WCC not do this when the results would have been easily obtainable?

This just seems to be another case of "Westminster City Council isn't listening"

Who scrutinises the Scrutiny Committees ?

Source: What Do They Know - FOI 3733

   

Taxi's stage "dash to loo" parking protest

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Written by Loretta Vendetta Wednesday, 20 May 2009 00:00

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dash to the loo demoTaxi drivers staged a demonstration outside City Hall in Victoria today in protest at "rip off" parking charges they claim is costing them up to £3 just to use the toilet.

The drivers said they had to pay the minimum of £3 to park and dash to the loo or risk a fine of £80, complaining that there are not enough taxi-only bays.

The Rail Maritime and Transport union called on Westminster City Council to waive parking fees for 10 minutes for black cabs on bays close to public toilets. They said: Westminster recently introduced a new mobile phone/credit card based parking system, ripping out the old pay as you go meters. At the same time a number of public conveniences close to black cab ranks have been closed down by Westminster City Council.

As a result, taxi drivers are being forced to pay the minimum parking charge of £3 an hour just to dash in and use the public toilet or risk a fine of £80. Westminster have introduced a limited number of taxi-only bays at £1 an hour but these are inadequate and drivers have pointed out that they are a great earner for the Council as they only need to stop for a few minutes and Westminster gets a pound every time.

Read more: Taxi's stage "dash to loo" parking protest

   

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