Quote:Open letter to Camden council regarding the Parking Permit and Charges Review 2020We are writing as a concerned group of local businesses, residents and workers in Camden, about the proposed changes to motorcycle parking in Camden.

We are extremely concerned about the effects that these changes will have on motorcyclists who live and work in Camden.  Additionally we believe that the proposals will be detrimental to the economy and life of Camden. We believe these changes are not justified by evidence claimed, and will result in significant damage to the borough and motorcyclists.

We are asking that you meet with interested parties in order to find to an equitable solution for motorcyclists and Camden.
Our main concerns are as follows:

- Damage to the economy of Camden and the livelihoods of those who work in Camden:
The proposed daily and hourly charges for parking will damage the ability of riders to work or volunteer in Camden. This includes delivery riders and couriers, but also volunteer riders for groups such as the Blood Bikers or the Bike Shed Community Response, who are doing vital work during the pandemic. In addition, the proposed limit on daily passes to two years will make it impossible for those who commute into Camden by motorcycle to continue to do so after 2023. It’s a mistake to assume that in all cases walking or cycling and public transport offer a viable alternative. We believe that the net result will be people forced to give up their jobs, or work elsewhere. This will impact not only these individuals but the economy of Camden. 

- Increased crime:
Reducing access to solo motorcycle bays will mean less secure parking. The police have identified secure parking as a key way to reduce moped enabled crime. This therefore has the potential to increase motorcycle theft and undo the good work Camden has done in providing secure facilities. This is of serious concern, not just to motorcyclists in Camden, but to all those who live in, work in, or visit Camden. Stolen motorcycles are commonly used in ‘moped enabled crime’ which impacts every Camden resident and visitor.

- Lack of sufficient consultation:
The short consultation period in a period of unprecedented disruption is disappointing. Fewer people were attending workplaces in Camden during the consultation period than normal due to the pandemic.  Many of those potentially affected by these proposals will not have been aware of the consultation. Multiple offers to discuss the proposals have been made to the council by interested parties, all of which have been refused. We are extremely concerned that the changes will go ahead without reasonable engagement with those who it will affect the most. 

- The proposals are not proportionate:
The evidence presented in the consultation doesn’t support the changes. Charging motorcycles the same amount as cars is disproportionate.  It doesn’t take into account the amount of space motorcycles takes up, nor the lower levels of pollution they produce.

Motorcycling is a transport choice taken by a broad spectrum of individuals, including nurses, doctors, business owners, volunteers, couriers and delivery riders. Those who use motorcycles, due to the nature or length of their journey, often cannot reasonably use other means of transport. For many the economy of motorcycles is the only low cost option for their travel needs.

On a per km basis motorcycles produce significantly lower emissions of CO2 and key pollutants such as NOx, PM10 and PM2.5.  Motorcycles also do not contribute to congestion. Not all trips can be replaced by walking cycling and public transport.  For those that can't, motorcycles present the best alternative to cars for those concerned about air quality. Instead of seeking to unfairly punish motorcyclists, Camden should follow the example of other councils such as Cambridgeshire in recognizing the role of motorcycles as a means to meet their air quality and climate change aims.

We, the undersigned, would ask that you reconsider these proposals.  We believe that they will have a devastating effect on motorcyclists, and those who rely on the value motorcyclists bring to Camden.

Quote: Still we'll have HS2, great if you want to go to Birmingham non stop, latest total cost somewhere around £106bn and I not sure if that includes phase 2.  Bearing in mind that is almost double the cost they predicted in 2015, at that rate it could get to well over £200bn

(29-01-21, 12:28 PM)mtread link Wrote:

Quote: Still we'll have HS2, great if you want to go to Birmingham non stop, latest total cost somewhere around £106bn and I not sure if that includes phase 2.  Bearing in mind that is almost double the cost they predicted in 2015, at that rate it could get to well over £200bn

As someone said - 'why would anyone want to get to Birmingham 20 minutes earlier?' 

(29-01-21, 12:52 PM)Oldgit link Wrote: Move to the suburbs--problem solved.

(29-01-21, 12:28 PM)mtread link Wrote: As someone said - 'why would anyone want to get to Birmingham 20 minutes earlier?' 

(29-01-21, 06:52 PM)Grahamm link Wrote: [quote author=mtread link=topic=26686.msg322972#msg322972 date=1611919733]
As someone said - 'why would anyone want to get to Birmingham 20 minutes earlier?'