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West End parking banned by stealth
Peter Dominiczak, Michael Howie and Jonathan Prynn3 Jan 2012
Westminster council was today accused of "an appalling breach of faith" after it ordered the removal of more than 1,000 parking spaces in the West End.
Mayor Boris Johnson condemned the Tory authority's "deeply cynical" move, which came nine days after the High Court blocked the introduction of evening and Sunday parking charges.
The latest proposals, "sneaked out" before Christmas, will see single yellow lines converted to "no parking at any time" double yellows on January 9 - amounting to the loss of the equivalent of 1,191 free out-of-hours parking spaces.
Critics said it was effectively a "backdoor" way of forcing drivers out of the West End in defiance of the ruling by Mr Justice Collins on December 14. That decision resulted in council leader Colin Barrow suspending the £4.80-an-hour "tax on nightlife" until after the Olympics.
In his most outspoken attack yet, the Mayor told the Standard: "This is a deeply cynical move and an appalling breach of faith. Small businesses, churchgoers, actors, and thousands of decent Londoners rely on the West End for their livelihood and we all rely on them to maintain the economic vitality of our great city. I urge Westminster to pause and think about the consequences of their increasingly reckless decisions. And I've asked GLA economics, informed by TfL, to start an immediate assessment of the impact of this move."
Labour's mayoral candidate Ken Livingstone also condemned the action, saying: "Westminster council seems to have taken leave of its senses."
The Liberal Democrats' Brian Paddick said: "This is absolutely outrageous behaviour by Westminster council. They are quite clearly hell-bent on damaging the economy of the West End in order to raise money from motorists."
The new restrictions will affect hundreds of streets in Mayfair, Fitzrovia and parts of Marylebone, although Soho and Covent Garden are largely unscathed.
In total, about 16 per cent of the single yellow lines, which allow free parking in the evening and on Sundays, will be changed. The announcement, from Westminster's commissioner of transportation Martin Low, came on the afternoon of Friday December 23.
Patricia Michelson, owner of La Fromagerie cheese shop in Marylebone, said: "It's absolutely atrocious. To decide to do this on 23 December, just before everyone goes away for Christmas, is appalling.
"What annoys me is they say they want to listen, they want to review, but it's a complete lie. Within a few days of saying that, they bring in all these yellow line conversions. It's totally deceitful, sly and not in the interest of anyone."
Nicola Powrie, 38, a croupier at Les Ambassadeurs casino, Mayfair, said: "I drive from Chelmsford and rely on yellow lines to park. What the council is doing is disgusting. I don't think they want anyone to come into London."
Glenys Roberts, a West End councillor and the only Tory council member to come out fully against the plans, said: "There is a lot of local anger because the assumption was nothing was about to go through after the judge advised the council not to go ahead."
Paul Dimoldenberg, Labour's group leader on the council said: "This was a deliberate attempt to sneak things through when everybody was off on their Christmas holidays. Also, they knew the Standard would not be able to publish anything for days. It's an outrageous abuse of the council's powers and I'm sure the High Court will have something to say about this."
In a separate development Mr Dimoldenberg revealed that the council had admitted to a huge miscount of the number of single yellow line parking spaces that would have been axed under its original proposals. Instead of the 1,719 figure given to councillors, the real total was 8,463.
Under the new proposals, the council said removing single yellow lines would let pedestrians cross more safely at many junctions, allow emergency-response vehicles better access to buildings, and enable drivers to drop off passengers more easily.
It said its own research showed the move "should not materially impact" the ability of motorists to park on single yellow lines after 6.30pm.
A spokesman also insisted the timing of the announcement was driven by its desire to "get the information out there as quickly as possible so people could appreciate what it will mean. There was definitely no sweeping under the carpet".
The spokesman added that "over 90 per cent of these places cannot be parked on anyway because of the Highway Code". He said most of the new double yellow lines were on so called "dropped kerbs", where pedestrians cross, at 170 road junctions.
Lee Rowley, the council's cabinet member for parking and transport, said: "Highway Code rule 243 makes it clear you cannot park at a junction. We know that people still do inadvertently park on a junction and if they do they get a ticket. We think it's important to make it as clear as possible."
Westminster Older People's Action, an independent campaign group for local residents, said it was "wholeheartedly in favour" of the plan.
Q&A
What is the council doing?
Converting stretches of single yellow lines into double yellow lines across the West End on Monday January 9.
Which streets will be affected?
More than 200 roads in the West End, Mayfair, Fitzrovia and Marylebone, such as Berkeley Square, Mount Street and New Bond Street, will see at least some sections of single yellow lines converted into doubles.
What will this mean for motorists?
Less "free" parking spaces in the evenings and on Sundays will inevitably mean more drivers having to pay up to £4.80 an hour on metered bays or using car parks.
How many parking spaces will be lost?
The equivalent of 1,191 car spaces, around 16 per cent of the total in the affected zones of the West End.
How does this compare with the "tax on nightlife" abolition of all free West End parking in the evenings and on Sunday afternoons proposed, and shelved, by Westminster council?
That would have resulted in more than 8,400 fewer parking spaces.
Who could be affected by the council's new move?
According to critics, residents who struggle to find designated residents' parking spaces; pub, restaurant and casino staff, who rely on single yellow lines to park; theatregoers and other visitors. But the council says it will be much better for pedestrians and drivers dropping people off or picking them up.
Your say
Olivia Knowles, 23
works at Hard Rock Cafe on Old Park Lane: "There's a lot of people who drive to come here and people are already having to drive around for half an hour to find a space sometimes. This will just make it worse."
George Ellamaa, 39
chaffeur from Hertfordshire: "This will make it very hard for us. If you are on £10 an hour, you cannot afford to pay for parking if you want to stop and get something to eat. It's not worth it. We will have to drive around looking for somewhere to park. That will just add to the congestion."
Liliana Bujak, 38
lives on Baker Street and works in film production: "I park in the West End and it's already hard enough. Turning some of the single yellows into double yellows is just going to make it more expensive and nearly impossible."
Chris Ramsey, 23
duty manager of Clarence Bar, Mayfair: "This will affect customers who take their car into the area. Many already say it's difficult to park. A lot of businesses will be affected."
Ibrar Saleem, 36
contract lawyer from Walthamstow: "I take my disabled father into central London just to get him out. This will make that more difficult. Finding a parking space is already appalling and it's going to get worse."
Reader views (40)
"I am sick and tired of hearing about these endless whinges about the poor motorist, whose basic human right is to drive around the West End, even though there is a perfectly adequate bus service, tube service and taxi service. "
Pedestrian.
Is this North Korea? Why should we have to use public transport which, by the way, doesnt run 24-7 which is what this issue is all about.
You're happy to benefit from the exorbitant taxes motor vehicles raise in revenue, but dont want to see them on those roads that they should pay for 3 times over.
Not everyone who works in the West End lives in zone 1. Do you think I can afford a black cab at 3 in the morning to my home (at a cost of nearly £40) when the tube is closed and the hourly bus is late and doesnt go anywhere near where I live.
The real issue is, when these council parasites eliminate all cars from central London what will they go after next? It will be delivery vans/trucks meaning the West End will just be a ghost town.
- mike, london, 04/01/2012 01:03
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May I please add something to my last posting :-
As a result of what I have labelled as “ THE GREAT COUNCIL PARKING FINE SCAM “ GOING DE-CRIM ”” ,
Councils have simply stolen the streets and are busy renting these back to the Electorate from whom they have been stolen ;
And recklessly killing Businesses in the process , without conscience or remorse ;
And charging ever increasing rents for the streets which they have hi-jacked ;
And causing no end of stress to the Public who simply cannot go about their daily lives because City access is being constricted by Council greed ;
Especially damaging across a whole range of areas , from Village Shops in Northumberland to London’s West End .
Would most Electors agree that this is completely unacceptable ? :
Should this wide-spread practice not be caught by the “ Proceeds of crime Act ” ?
Surely why does this not constitute “ money laundering ” ? ;
It is terrible now ; It can and will only get worse ;
It must be remedied at the highest level possible ;
Many have publicly railed against the symptoms ;
Might the above be a main root of causation perhaps ?
Through these pages of the London Evening Standard , I would appeal to Mr Cameron , Mr Pickles and Lord Young that this Government should act swiftly to give the Public a real remedy against such an abuse of power in which Westminster Council , and other Councils , are now widely engaged in .
Geoffrey Stansfield , Independent Member ,Institution of Civil Engineers
- geoffrey stansfield, uk, 03/01/2012 23:41
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Please might I add to my last posting :-
As a result of what I have labelled the " THE GREAT COUNCIL PARKING FINE SCAM “ GOING DE-CRIM ”" is that Councils have simply stolen the streets and are busy renting these back to the Electorate from whom they have been stolen ;
And recklessly killing Businesses in the process , without conscience or remorse ;
And charging ever increasing rents for the streets which they have hi-jacked ;
And causing no end of stress to the Public who simply cannot go about their daily lives because City access is being constricted by Council greed ;
Especially damaging across a whole range of areas , from Village Shops in Northumberland to London’s West End .
I believe that I am not alone is declaring that this is completely unacceptable : It is alleged that this wide-spread practice should be caught by the " proceeds of crime Act " simply because , surely , is this not a form of “ money laundering ” ? ;
It is terrible now ;
It can and will only get worse ;
It must be remedied at the highest level possible ; Many have publicly railed against the symptoms ; Might the above be a main root of causation perhaps ?
Through the pages of the London Evening Standard , I would appeal to Mr Cameron , Mr Pickles and Lord Young that this Government should act swiftly to give the Public a real remedy against such a wide spread abuse of power which not only Westminster Council , but other Councils also , are now engaged in .
Geoffrey Stansfield :
- geoffrey stansfield, uk, 03/01/2012 23:13
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THE GREAT COUNCIL PARKING FINE SCAM “GOING DE-CRIM ”
In a London Evening Standard Article , 2 December 2011 , “ Westminster's parking plan will stifle West End culture ” , Lord Tony Hall , CEO Royal Opera House , asks : " The only question remaining is : Why isn't Westminster listening ? " . Based upon considerable research , might I suggest that the answer is most likely to be as follows :-
They are not listening because they are attempting a “ cover-up ” of a country-wide Council scam .
This has all the symptoms of a " cover-up " to a scam , and it is the “ symptoms ” which are being reported .
Since Council’s have taken over the collection of parking fines from the Police , evidence exists of many hundreds of Small Businesses being damaged Country wide .
Since the introduction of Civil Parking Enforcement , Council’s Parking Policies have been aimed at making excessive use of Parking Restrictions - especially Single & Double Yellow lines .
Councils are using these simply to increase Council Revenue , rather than such Parking Restrictions being used for the proper purposes for which Parliament intended , being in the main for avoiding danger & easing congestion .
In their excessive zeal for extra Revenue Councils are often by-passing the prescribed Statutory Procedures in the process , which in other circumstances should be classed as “ money laundering ” .
Geoffrey Stansfield , Member Institution of Civil Engineers , Jesmond , Newcastle upon Tyne
- geoffrey stansfield, uk, 03/01/2012 22:04
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THE GREAT COUNCIL PARKING FINE SCAM “GOING DE-CRIM ”
In a London Evening Standard Article , 2 December 2011 , “ Westminster's parking plan will stifle West End culture ” , Lord Tony Hall , CEO Royal Opera House , asks : " The only question remaining is : Why isn't Westminster listening ? " . Based upon considerable research , might I suggest that the answer is most likely to be as follows :-
They are not listening because they are attempting a “ cover-up ” of a country-wide Council scam .
This has all the symptoms of a " cover-up " to a scam , and it is the “ symptoms ” which are being reported .
Since Council’s have taken over the collection of parking fines from the Police , evidence exists of many hundreds of Small Businesses being damaged Country wide .
Since the introduction of Civil Parking Enforcement , Council’s Parking Policies have been aimed at making excessive use of Parking Restrictions - especially Single & Double Yellow lines .
Councils are using these simply to increase Council Revenue , rather than such Parking Restrictions being used for the proper purposes for which Parliament intended , being in the main for avoiding danger & easing congestion .
In their excessive zeal for extra Revenue Councils are often by-passing the prescribed Statutory Procedures in the process , which in other circumstances should be classed as “ money laundering ” .
Geoffrey Stansfield , Member Institution of Civil Engineers , Jesmond , Newcastle upon Tyne
- geoffrey stansfield, uk, 03/01/2012 21:56
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Who fancies a wager that Maserati driving free parking space Colin Barrow, Rosemarie MacQueen, and the 31 year old political genius that is Lee Rowley (google Lee Rowley Hanover to see him in action!) will not be around long enough to implement their parking plans? Westminster City Council will be replaced by independent Conservatives that actually represent businesses in the West End, and who may wake up to the fact sooner than this shower that Council Tax can not be subsidised by motorists like this......!
What do you reckon guys? What odds at the bookies do you think I'll get?
- Peter, London, 03/01/2012 20:28
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If you want to park anywhere you like in Westminster,on double yellows,disabled bays,motorcycle bays and taxi ranks.Just drive a minicab.The wardens will ignore you.
- colin, barking essex, 03/01/2012 19:26
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Good. There's too much traffic in central London belching out fumes.
No one needs to drive into central London, there's good tube/bus links and plenty of park & ride stations. Some people are just very lazy, which is no surprise, for decades governments have been encouraging laziness. It's a massive vote winner.
I work nights in Central London and have done for 23 years......I live in Hertfordshire, I don't need to drive to work don't I? then how am I supposed to get home at 4am in the morning?
I can only presume you have not been following this debate over the last few months - the people who will be affected here are not the revellers and party goers, they are the people who serve them and the businesses we work for.
Incidentally, in 23 years I have never (not once) been unable to park close to my place of work - for free.
- Dave, Sawbridgeworth, Herts, 03/01/2012 18:50
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Funny how the needs of the emergency services and pedestrian crossing wasn't an issue when they were happy to charge for parking.
Anyone 'dropping off a passenger'is likely to get pinged by one of their insidious spy cameras, so it's typically sneaky that they want to encourage it...
And parking close to junctions already warrants a ticket, according to Rowley, so why would anyone think that this is anything but a petulant act of defiance of the judiciary at the expense of visitors and workers in Wastemonster?
They reckon they have to charge motorcycles to park because of the 'environmental impact'yet think nothing of having vehicles circulating the borough looking for somewhere to park.
- Bandit, Londonistan, 03/01/2012 18:43
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Westminster Council sems to want to make London a tourist trap for city travellers in the style of Disney. But Westminster are blowing that opportunity because Disney made it a strictcriteria that parking was necessary.
Teh tube system is a disgrace, the buses run peculiat timetables and save for the centre Londoners have serious problems accessing the centre.
Perhaps the public will see that Some new Westfield Malls are showing the way to the value of being out of Centre.
It only takes a few courageous restauranteurs who see the value of the driver to do the same and Westminster will be a ghost town at night. This is a hybrid year for tourists but what is to happen in 2013. Perhaps like Westfield in the west and east and Biscester in the north there should be a permanent restaurant and theatre village in the east as well.
That will leave all the coach poarties who want to see old buldings and galleries free to amble around in the centre and leave at 5pm.
Westminster Council a new turn of phrase for arrogant, snide, money grubbing civil representatives who represent no one but their own personal guilt trips of greed and scum bad behaviour.
What value a Mayor of London who can only comment on such atrocious behaviour and do nothing about it?
- Robert Marshall, London, 03/01/2012 18:05
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Making it clear that you can't park across dropped kerbs or very near junctions is a good thing.
London driver don;t seem to understand these simple things and then complain when the gets ticketed for them.
Driving into the West End should not be encouraged, it makes getting about on foot or by bike much harder.
- WestcountryTim, London, 03/01/2012 17:48
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'"This is a deeply cynical move and an appalling breach of faith.'
Not really. A stupid policy, quite possibly; an election loser, less possibly.It may make the West End more attractive to non car-users by way of compensation. Something a Council's quite entitled to do as a policy - unless they'd publicly promised to do something else. This is increasingly becoming an issue academic to most of us, as we run out of cash or go to Westfield, anyway.
- mdj, London e10, 03/01/2012 17:42
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towns such as Redhill - fully pedestrianised, and dead from 4pm, save for gangs of hoodies hanging about necking cheap booze.
From Tin Foil Hat, London UK......
Well well, a serious Daily Mail reader, believing everything in print. I suggest you stop worrying about parking and driving (the original story somehow forgotten), and lock the doors at dusk and worry about all the THUGS running around in the streets, drinking and saying rude words. It is so so sad that someone such as yourself imagines ludicrous ideas and doesn't actually venture on to the beloved high streets you adore, after 5pm. Take a security guard, it's a minefield out there!
- Rod, Epping, UK, 03/01/2012 17:41
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Too many cars on London's small roads. They should pedestrianise a few roads, not EVERY scrap of public land in Londonhas to be devoted to driving. Tin Foil Hat: To blame Redhill high street's problems on pedestrianisation is naive, nearly all small town high streets are suffering at the moment.
- Gary, London, 03/01/2012 17:27
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To see the effects of removing cars from commercial centres, look at some of the 'dormer' towns such as Redhill - fully pedestrianised, and dead from 4pm, save for gangs of hoodies hanging about necking cheap booze. Take away the car and kiss goodbye to commerce.
- Tin Foil Hat, London UK, 03/01/2012 16:29
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Perish the thought a money grabbing Council ever really have a duty of care...
- jonnieof brixton, LONDON-BRIXTON-ENGLAND., 03/01/2012 16:28
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Last time I went on public transport at peak time, it was heaving. But some of you people want more to cram onto it eh? London is cramped and busy. All forms of transport are required to help out. Think about it folks. Your train is too busy? We can solve this problem by pricing a few of you out so you can't afford to travel anymore. Hey. Nobody said life was fair.
Besides. At night (and a lot of weekends), the tube is CLOSED. Nightbuses all go via Trafalgar Square, meaning it takes hours and several changes to get anywhere. There is a 1-2 hour gap between your last nightbus and the first Sunday service, which leaves you standing in the cold. Taxis are extortionate and lots of them want to decide where they will or wont take you.
Meanwhile, Westminster are raking it in and the roads are just as busy as before. So what's working about their policy? Aside from making WCC Council Tax rates some of the lowest in the land. For the some of the richest in the land.
Open your eyes...
- entoptika, London, UK, 03/01/2012 16:06
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Good. There's too much traffic in central London belching out fumes.
No one needs to drive into central London, there's good tube/bus links and plenty of park & ride stations. Some people are just very lazy, which is no surprise, for decades governments have been encouraging laziness. It's a massive vote winner.
Now, rather than actually walk for 5 minutes and get some exercise, people sit in traffic beeping their horns to try and park right outside their destination. A very sad state of affairs. If there was another big war, out-of-shape Britain would stand no chance.
- John, London, 03/01/2012 15:49
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"The worst thing about shopping there is having to dodge cars constantly, compared to carfree environments like Westfields."
Westfields has a car park Paul. How'd you think they all get in it? Magic? Or do you reckon it just results in 1000's more cars travelling around London?
- entoptika, London, UK, 03/01/2012 15:45
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I think it looks like the WCC PR department is in full swing again with some of these 'comments'. You're not fooling anyone with your propaganda, why don't you just stand down and let someone who actually represents real Londoners get on with the job? it's clearly beyond you....
- Peter, London, 03/01/2012 15:19
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Westminster Council have completely lost touch with the people. They have become arrogant, deceitful and patronising. Use you vote to get them out as soon as possible.
- London is a Fine city., Lodon, UK, 03/01/2012 15:17
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More fool for Westminster Older People's Action group for being suckered in on Westminster Councils cynical use of playing the disabled card. They of all people are aware they were promised a borough wide roll out of double yellow lines across all dropped kerbs in 2009.
Funny what people will say and the political compromises they are prepared to make.
- Brandon, London, 03/01/2012 15:15
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Too many cars clog up the West End. The worst thing about shopping there is having to dodge cars constantly, compared to carfree environments like Westfields. Great news that they're finally doing something about it! Might start shopping in the West End again.
- Paul, London, 03/01/2012 14:58
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Bye bye arrogant Tories. In power in westminster too long - drink on power and drunk on elitist arrogance!
- Barry from Bermondsey, Bermondsey London, 03/01/2012 14:52
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what a bunch of total muppets, does westminster not understand they are very privileged to hold on to london's finest real estate in terms of revenue from retail, tourism and general business, they should only be wanting to attract more people to this part of london creating more jobs, spending and revenue for all..i think the entire west end should up root and move out to east london, see how westminster copes for 5 mins without that kind or income stream..dont bite the hand that feeds you, so fooking short cited..lets generate more money than not..
- big ld, nw8, 03/01/2012 14:51
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This was enacted at 3.30pm on Friday 23rd Dec. The only thing that amazes me, in my opinion, is that Colin Barrow, Lee Rowley, and Rosemarie MacQueen are still in their positions at Westminster City Council with their attitude towards Tory voters. Lee Rowley was busy online Christmas Eve at 'The Independent' website doing a Q&A with members of the public, no doubt thinking this was 'public consultation' whilst desperately clinging on to his political career. I think that WCC are targeting the Liberal Left Wing media to attempt to gain support, practically exploiting the Green lobby to push and push. What annoys me about Lee Rowley is that he clearly wants to be put forward as a Conservative Candidate in a by-election like he was for Bolsover, so in my opinion he'll try to enact these cynical parking regulations as a brownie point on his CV, then disappear to a constituency once he's orchestrated the damage to the local economy in London. I think anybody reading his history on the internet will see who he places first, 95% of people in London don't want these parking regulations and changes. No doubt the removal of single yellows will help their 'argument' of congestion by creating more of it...they obviously think we're stupid. To my mind, this appears like contempt of court and The Tory party now need to consider removing these people before they cause even more damage to their vote. I won't vote Tory until they're expelled. Got the borough wide parking permit back yet Lee?
- Dave, Wandsworth, 03/01/2012 14:48
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As I understand it, the double yellow lines are being painted at junctions where a "dropped kerb" is in existence. These kerbs are placed there to facilitate movement from the pavement to the road by users of wheelchairs, prams etc. Does anyone think that, if this is the case, it is a bad thing? I certainly don't.
- SeaBee, London, UK, 03/01/2012 14:14
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If what the council say is corect, then this is god news - cars blocking the junctions by illegal parking are a hazard to cyclists and pedsetrians.
- cyclist, London, 03/01/2012 14:13
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Why would anybody want to go into the west end at any time?
It's a tourist trap dump.
- Daddy, Kensington, 03/01/2012 14:01
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In view of my location I, obviously, don't get the chance to travel to the West End as often as I would like and admit that I would normally take public transport to Central London when I can.
However, this act by Westminster Council does to seem to be extremely unethical, unscrupulous and untrustworthy behaviour. What a bunch, who elected this bunch of miscreants into power?! I know that most politicians cannot be trusted anyway, but this really is a poor show. I assume that revenge will be taken at the next local election.
- Peter M, Dubai, UAE, 03/01/2012 13:48
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Everyone seems to be missing the point, there are lots of people who RELY on free parking for work etc, stop having a dig at motorists in general. Also, what happened to writing "comments" and not war and peace, it's a comments section. Colin Barrow should be sacked.
- Claudio, London, 03/01/2012 13:45
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I am SO glad I don't live in this city any more. You wouldn't get me back there for a king's ransom or even a free parking space!
- Baron von Richtofen, Biggin Hill, 03/01/2012 13:27
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London is car sick! This paper would have us all die of toxic air if it could make a quid!
- I know why, Hackney, London, 03/01/2012 13:14
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what is it with the standard and this insane fixation on maintaing the west end as a free car park?
the west end is noisy, dirty, crowded, polluted and congested. it's no coincidence that the best days of the year for oxford street are the ones where traffic is banned.
why should a small percentage of people who want to drive make the place impossible for pedestrians and cyclists, and slow down public transport?
sure, do something for the night workers. for the rest, sorry, the tube won't kill you. and perhaps if you take it, you won't kill everyone else. 4,500 deaths from particulate pollution in london every year.
- fred, london, 03/01/2012 13:13
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@pedestrian - if you bother to read any print you will see that this was wheeled out two years ago as a policy but they preferred to screw over the disabled and continue to issue.... YOU GOT IT! PENALTY NOTICES!
They'll roll the lines out further than the dropped kerbs, and by the way for some a car is essential - for overnight workers, musicians with kit, etc, and people can car share far more efficiently saving time and money on overpriced and underperforming buses and tubes (I had the misfortune to have to use the tube for a few months, nearly killed me) subject to the whim of any old striker.
So rather than ranting at those who are being punished PURELY FOR THE SAKE OF EXTRA CASH (not for any congestion related issue) why don't you at the very least hold these elected officials to account and make them PROVE why it is needed.
- C, London, 03/01/2012 13:04
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What a surprise... WCC will find any way they can to say one thing and then do the opposite, and just assume that because they are oh-so-mighty councillors nobody will question their all knowing authority and wisdom.
They ballsed up on PiP, potentially dragging London councils into illegal contracts. They screwed up their CCTV at huge cost to their residents. They waged war and continue to do so on the motorcycles - they said humvees polluted less than scooters!! They continue to use Westco as a 'trading arm' for WCC - who are the directors? Councillors! They do everything they can to hoodwink you and I but we can see STRAIGHT through it.
The only people who seem utterly oblivious to this are the voters who still seem to think these idiots are anything other than dishonest reprobates, and the judges who wave through their nonsense schemes taking only their word ('Honest Guv, I'm not using it to raise money! Honest!') as proof.
JUST LEAVE US ALONE TO LIVE OUR LIVES AND B*GGER OFF BACK TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
- C, London, 03/01/2012 12:59
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Some very odd comments in the 'Your Say' section: @ George, 39 : so someone who is on £10 an hour CAN afford to buy and run a car, CAN afford to eat out in restaurants, but CAN'T afford parking ?? @Chris, 23 : insightful comment that this will "affect customers who take thier car into the area". Solution ? Don't take your car into the area - the tube, bus it or walk !
- Don, Milton keynes, 03/01/2012 12:58
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The Government should remove the power from local authorities to decide where to put yellow lines and where to pay parking bays. An independent non-profit organsation should decide.
I have seen a number of local authorities, create 'honey traps' for drivers. My local council uses CCTV for parking enforcement. It makes my blood boil, CCTV techonology that should be used to catch criminals is being used to catch motorists. My father was caught on CCTV at 7am, because he stopped off 2mins for a cashpoint, even though the local parking started at 8.30am, but they set honey traps, where different bays started much earlier. It is nothing but legalised robbery.
Shops are closing down, because councils have introduced yellow lines and residents parking zones. Drivers are now going to out of town shopping shops which have plentiful parking. Councils don't care, they only want the money.
My local council, has divided the entire Borough, into little controlled residential zones. In some places, there are no parking meters, so visiting tradesmen rely on home owners to provide residents parking permit. However, some owners don't have any and tradesmen are easy prey for councils.
- A.L., London, 03/01/2012 12:55
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So here we go again. Another obsessive story about car parking in the most car-sick capital city in Europe. I am sick and tired of hearing about these endless whinges about the poor motorist, whose basic human right is to drive around the West End, even though there is a perfectly adequate bus service, tube service and taxi service.
London is a car-sick city where the pedestrian and cyclists is treated with contempt. Boris Johnson is removing pedestrian crossings and reducing crossing times for pedestrians to accommodate the delusionsal Transport for London priority of 'smooth traffic flow' (and to hell with air pollution and car-choked streets).
If you bother to read the small print you will see that these changes are to make dropped kerbs free for people in wheelchairs or pushing prams. Of course the great British petrolhead has no idea of what a dropped kerb is.
Ken Livingstone's attack on Westminster is a disgrace and he won't be getting my vote. Livingstone is no friend of the pedestrian, the cyclist or the wheelchair user.
- pedestrian, London, UK, 03/01/2012 12:41
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He can keep his West End . We did not even bother to go there over Christmas for first time in 35 years as most parking spaces are now residents or there are endless demos approved by our limp liberal government .
Try Guildford with pretty High Street shopping , the same range of places to eat as London and now with 2 great theatres showing West End shows .
- westendrip, london, 03/01/2012 12:37
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