Is there a plan/petition/demo/letter to Boris etc.
I put this comment on thier website feedback form:
Having read your intentions to start charging for motorcycle parking I’m far from impressed.
Westminster Council is one of London’s most wealthy councils. It can certainly afford to support the mayor’s transport policy; i.e. encouraging more motorcycles to come into Central London to ease congestion, without charging extra to simply do provide secure parking at sufficient volumes to serve their tax paying commuters.
Since the Congestion Charging Zone was introduced many people have invested a great deal of money and time in motorcycle training in response to easing Central London’s congestion problems, and now that they are finincially commited to riding to Westminster - at thier own expense - it is unfair to introduce new charges just to adequately serve the changing needs of London’s commuters.
This seems like another example of people being charged extra to simply be given services they already pay for at adequate levels of quality. Having enough spaces and sufficient security should be a basic requirment in motorcycle parking, not a paid-for add-on.
Boris can’t do a damm thing about parking costs in Westminster…its NOT his remit… so don’t waste your time.
Parking charges are down to the local council… ie Westminster itself, and they are going ahead with this in some form or another, UNLESS, THE WHOLE OF LONDON REFUSES TO PAY… which I can’t really see happening… christ even though we’re all against giving away money, NONE of us (myself included) are organised enough or persuasive enough to persuade Londoners to actually do something about what’s annoying them…
Well, I’m up for trying to do something anyway. It’s the priciple of not paying extra for basic things you’ve already paid enough for.
I’m a cynical old hack like any Londoner, but I’ll be fooked if I’m gonna roll over and let them do it without trying to drum up some kind of group complaint - even one of those naff petitions.
If EVERY biker and Scooter rider in London filled out their feedback form saying they don’t want to pay and think it’s unfair then at least they’d know how hated they were if they do it anyway.
So about 300 squids a year then, thats more than residents are asked to pay for cars, AND they’ll use it 7 days a week? How are you supposed to display it also (that youve paid), I’ve seen those parking bay ideas, but that just reduces bay space doesnt it?
Ok, if you get a bay space, and an anchor for your bike, and no chance of a rusty fuggin vespa ruining my bike, Id be more convinced, but lets face it, its not gonna happen.
Sorry, was just pulling my trousers down and bending over for the council.
So we agree it’s a ripoff. What do we do? Is anyone on here up for sparing 3 minutes to write a response on thier feedback form, or, is anyone up for sparing half a day for a demo/visit to the council offices in a mass of bikes?
Too much trouble? Prefer to roll over and take it in the arse? No bovvered? Rich?
Yes - and we pay road tax and coucil tax to enure the roads are surfaced, traffic lights work, and that we have motorcycle bays to park in. It’s costs a significant chunk of money… Add on the VAT we pay on fuel, plus our income tax, VAT, etc…
I don’t want to pay twice.
…
They’ll creep in with “reasonable” charges, and in the end well be paying a “reduced” congestion charge, parking charges, and if some gov agencies have thier way we’ll be taxed per mile… :rolleyes:
