More court action vow by ‘No To Bike Parking Tax’ protesters after court case

Published: 22nd April, 2011
by JOSH LOEB

THE leader of a motorcycle campaign group has pledged yet more court action after appeal judges ruled against him this week.

Warren Djanogly of No To Bike Parking Tax (NTBPT) went to the High Court to appeal against an earlier decision by Lord Justice Pitchford to declare that Westminster City Council’s policy of charging for motorcycle parking was legal.

Philip Coppel QC, for Mr Djanogly, had argued the council’s consultation on the fees – it charges £1 a day, or £3.50 a week, £13.50 a month, £33.50 for three months or £100 a year – was “flawed”.

He also suggested that the charges were intended to raise revenue rather than bring improvements for motorcycle users – but appeal judges Lord Justice Maurice Kay, Lady Justice Smith and Lord Justice Moore-Bick said the city council’s implementation of the charge was justified. 

Speaking outside court after the judgment was handed down on Tuesday, Mr Djanogly said: “We will be now taking the full case to Europe, where we are sure we will get a better hearing.”

Council transport chief Lee Rowley said he hoped the ruling would now “draw a line” under what has been a bitter row involving “go-slow” rides which stopped traffic in central London, and extensive mud-slinging on online forums.

Councillor Rowley told the West End Extra: “It’s now for them [the campaigners] to sit down and think about what they are doing now that two courts have agreed with us. 

“If they are prepared to engage the courts to make a judgment call then we would expect them to accept that judgment call once it has been made.”

Asked what he thought about Mr Djanogly’s pledge of further court action, he said: “We will have to wait and see what that means because we are not sure at the moment.”

The council says a spate of vandalism to motorcycle parking signs last year resulted in tens of thousands of pounds of damage after more than 1,700 were defaced.