On bikes, for the record
Published: 5 March 2010
• YOU did not contact the council for comment in regards to your story on charging for motorbike parking (‘Scrap the charge’ Opposition cites scheme’s big loss, February 26).
To set the record straight, the introduction of motorcycle parking charges is not about revenue raising it is about dealing with the increasing pressures on our roads and ensuring the city does not grind to a standstill.
Westminster is one of the most congested boroughs in London and we have a challenging job of balancing the needs of everyone who comes into the city.
Our policy on motorcycle parking reflects this.
CLLR DANNY CHALKLEY
Westminster’s cabinet member for city management
Comments
When will democracy work?
Submitted by josef on Tue, 2010-03-09 09:07.This councillor does not know the meaning of democracy, if citizens are saying "NO" and that is well over 3,000+ of them 2 times over.. then isn't it about time he listened to them, rather than bang on with the spin and excuses, follow your duty Chalkley and listen to the people, or they will come back and bite you.. and it will not be pretty. SCRAP THE BIKE PARKING TAX - (Link)
If not about revenue raising it must be about deterring PTW use
Submitted by Blue on Sat, 2010-03-06 14:59.As a resident of Westminster I have to park my bike in Camden, as I have to keep the car parked in Westminster on a residents parking bay. To keep the bike in Westminster as well would cost another £100. Therefore since the introduction of Councillor Chalkley's bike parking tax I now use the car, whereas before I would have made these trips around town on the bike. This has also caused me to do my shopping in the neighbouring boroughs at supermarkets which have free car parks. I know I am not the only resident who has had to make that choice.
Because my bike is parked so far away, I only use it for special trips less than once a week, all other trips I now use the car instead of the bike. I'm seriously considering getting rid of the bike, and just sticking with the car, thanks for that Mr Chalkley.
So could Cllr Chalkley please explain how this helps the increasing pressure on our roads, and what if any surveys he conducted to discover how peoples driving and riding habits changed because of his policy to deter powered two wheel use in Westminster, before he decided to make his experiment permanent?
I will not be holding my breath for Mr Chalkley's answer.
A MAN IN DENIAL
Submitted by charlielp on Fri, 2010-03-05 19:33.It is becoming increasingly tiresome that this man trots out the same inane responses to a scheme which is clearly about the cash and nothing more.
All of his arguments have fallen well short of the mark when put under scrutiny, and his different excuses to different people show that at the heart of this scheme is a man who will try to play off different groups against one another in an attempt to keep his little pet scheme alive..
To claim that scooters and bikes could cause the city to 'grind to a standstill' is so totally ridiculous that if any sceptics of the fight against his pernicious charge need convincing that this man is after their cash, they need only read this letter.
The sooner he is out, and this tax is revoked, the better.
Motorbike parking
Submitted by edenphil on Fri, 2010-03-05 15:59.To set the record straight, it makes no sense whatsoever to charge motorcycles for parking. The congestion is not due to the increase in Motorcycles it is due to too many people using inefficient forms of transport ( i.e. cars) - Cars usually only have one person in them and take up at least 4 times more road space than a motorcylce, or public transport ( congested and unreliable). If more people used motorcycles in WCC the congestion would effectively reduce as more people would be able to go about their business for the same period of travel time. All Danny boy and his WCC ( "Oh we have a revenue shortfall in our budget, how are we going to plug that hole") cronies are doing is using congestion management as an illegal smokescreen to raise revenue from an increasing number of motorcycle users. Motorcycles are a solution to congestion not a cause. They pollute less, encourage mobility, help bring vital revenue to the businesses and theatres of WCC and take up less roadspace and parking space than cars/vans. Why can WCC not see their logic is illogical?
Setting the record straight Chalkley ?
Submitted by C Rathbone on Fri, 2010-03-05 17:52.Quote: "To set the record straight, the introduction of motorcycle parking charges is not about revenue raising it is about dealing with the increasing pressures on our roads and ensuring the city does not grind to a standstill"
I can only assume that by charging motorbikes to park, Danny Chalkley was aiming to reduce their numbers. But then,
why did Westminster City Council increase parking for motorcycles and scooters by 44% prior to introducing the scheme ?
Why are they offering free parking in Westminster's underground car parks for motorcycles ?
If kerbside space is at such a premium why doesn't he allow scooters to park on 'dead' areas of pavement where no pedestrian ever walks, thus freeing up vital space?
If kerbside space is at such a premium why (by the rules of his scheme) are electrically powered two-wheelers allowed to park for free? If every motorcyclist and scooter rider switched to an electrically powered bike would the 'pressure' that he says is caused by petrol-powered bikes suddenly vanish ?
If it's not (and never was) about raising revenue why on the 18th December 2006 did the Cabinet Member Report, *Motorcycle Parking Strategy* project a net revenue benefit of £439,000, followed by a profit of £575,000 in 2008/09 ?
It would certainly explain the scheme's architect's embarassment on 31st March 2009 to reluctantly reveal that the scheme had generated a profit of £2.5 MILLION !
Admit it chalkley, it's all about the money, it always was and always will be. You know that, We know that, the Judge knows that.
Motorcycle Parking Charges
Submitted by james on Fri, 2010-03-05 14:45.What a joke! Motorcycles and scooters don't cause congestion due to the fact that they can filter through traffic jams. They also take up a very small amount of space when parked. The only reason Westminster City Council started charging for motorcycle bays is to make money. It's a disgrace!
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