The campaign, along with other motorcycling groups, had relayed to WCC that the CCTV security and weather protection provided by car parks made them the one place where riders would be more likely to accept charges, and thus this initiative coupled with continued charging for on-street has been seen as “totally back to front", and prompted one campaigner to state "it now seems that building a building is cheaper than white paint and a bit of kerb."
Warren Djanogly, Chairman of the Campaign, said today:
“This is a desperate attempt, by increasingly worried local Councillors now very fearful of their political careers, to appease the mounting unrest against their blatant, and totally unjustified revenue raising schemes. Also, it has been deliberately timed to deflect attention away from today's picketing of Westminster City Hall by angry black-cab drivers also aggrieved by WCC money-grabbing changes in parking policies.”
Westminster Residents have been signing up to the campaign in their droves, many of whom are disgusted at the deterrent effect the taxing of another huge group of visitors to the borough is having on their local economy, which has already seen the Council take over £2.5m away from the tills of the local retailers.
Martin Johnson, a long standing resident, said today:
"Having witnessed first-hand the effect the congestion charge has had on the revenue of our local shopkeepers, I am stunned that WCC have seen fit to attack another section of society, especially one that keeps my borough moving."
The Council's "sweetener" to Residents of a free permit if they already have a car permit is seen as more political maneuvering, given that if the charge spreads to neighbouring boroughs this concession will be cancelled out. The provision of free spaces in car parks, rather than on street, was also greeted with derision, as many car parks have ample space for bikes, and rarely have issues of overcrowding, and are not situated within easy distance of many motorcyclists’
Warren Djanogly added today:
"It is easy to give away something for free which wasn't bringing in any income in the first place, and for a Council who claims to have consulted with motorcycling groups, this initiative merely displays their lack of understanding that a primary reason for riding is the ability to park closer to one's destination.”
The revenue-neutrality of the scheme was criticized, despite the reduction in the charge, as the scheme to date has raised up to 7 times more money than would be needed to fund improvements to, and enlargements of, bays. Warren Djanogly added:
“Since the costs have been more than met, and with the only ongoing costs being those of policing this tax, by WCC's own rationale of ‘revenue neutrality’ there can now be no justification for any charge whatsoever, not even £1 a day. We remain committed, as we have always been, to free on street parking for motorcycles throughout the borough and this city as a whole, and as a result the protests will continue.”
The Campaign also questioned again the social exclusivity of the "pay-by-mobile-
It is not clear whether WCC intends to refund those who have already paid for an annual permit.
Over 3000 demonstrators attended the last ride through Westminster on the 11th May, and the next go-slow is planned for the 9th June.
PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE PREVIOUS DEMONSTRATION CAN BE FOUND HERE:
http://www.notobikeparkingfees.com/
