WESTMINSTER PARKING DECISION

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Eamonn Townsend

WESTMINSTER PARKING DECISION

Post by Eamonn Townsend »

A Victory for Common sense say BMF

The BMF have welcomed Westminster City Council's decision to abandon plans to charge powered two wheelers (PTWs) for on-street parking as a victory for common sense.

The decision to remove the bike parking meter trial follows months of vigorous opposition by the BMF who had pointed out that powered two wheelers (PTWs), be they motorcycles, scooters or mopeds, actually assisted with traffic management in the City and should therefore be encouraged, not discouraged.

Charles Cronin, Westminster's Cabinet Member for Transportation and Infrastructure, supported this view and said "Demand for motorcycle parking is increasing, but there is only finite road space for parking in the capital. We found that the proposed scheme would actually reduce motorcycle spaces."

The Council say they will also create a 10 percent increase in existing motorcycle parking bays in car parks, effectively creating an extra 400 spaces, for which they will charge a fifth of the car rate. The BMF also see this as a positive move for those who want extra parking security.

The BMF say this decision is an important step forward in getting local and central government to recognise the positive role powered two wheelers can play in providing cheap efficient transport. Attempts to turn PTW users into a new revenue stream by imposing metered parking on public roads is not the right way to solve transport problems say the BMF.

Leon Mannings, the BMF's, London Region Spokesman said: "The pilot scheme in Westminster proved that installing parking meters for motorcycles was a flop. The growth in the use of PTWs shows that people want the convenience and economy of PTW travel, and that includes the convenience of free on-street parking. I hope this serves as a useful lesson to other authorities addressing the parking issue."
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