Biker fees ‘are flawed’ - No To Bike Parking Tax campaign group pack into Royal Courts of Justice for 'high-vis' appeal

Published: 18 March 2011
by JOSH LOEB

MOTORCYCLIST protesters gathered outside the Royal Courts of Justice this week as the latest round of a High Court battle against controversial parking fees kicked off.

Warren Djanogly, of the No To Bike Parking Tax campaign group, is appealing against an earlier decision by Lord Justice Pitchford to declare Westminster City Council’s policy of charging for motorcycle parking was legal.

Members of the group,  wearing high-visibility jackets packed the stalls in the courtroom while outside bikers booed and hissed as the council’s legal team arrived. 

Philip Coppel QC, for Mr Djanogly, said City Hall’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 – had been “flawed”, and he suggested the charges were intended to raise revenue rather than bring improvements for motorcycle users. 

Mr Coppel said it had been wrong of the council to suggest there was an increasing demand for motorcycle parking space.

He added: “What we say is that once Westminster had finished providing extra parking spaces there was no evidence before Westminster City Council of demand exceeding supply or, indeed, of an increasing demand.” 

Outside court, Councillor Lee Rowley, the council’s cabinet member for parking, said: “We have always maintained that, with huge demand for on-street space in Westminster, charging motorcyclists a small sum to park was reasonable and fair and the decision has been rigorously scrutinised, open to widespread public debate and tested in the High Court. 

“This case has cost local taxpayers tens of thousands of pounds in legal fees and staff time and we had hoped the earlier ruling would draw a line under the issue. However, we remain confident that the scheme has been implemented correctly and the court will dismiss this challenge.”

Appeal court judges Lord Justice Maurice Kay, Lady Justice Smith and Lord Justice Moore-Bick are expected to announce their decision within the next three months.