BMF: Bike Parking - BMF Appeals for Appeal Funds

As the momentum grows and councils acrosss the country look to raise parking fines to London levels it is time for a full and frank debate on what the purpose of 'parking' enforcement is all about and where the role of traffic managament comes into the equation.

By Polotics.co.uk

Thursday, 11, Nov 2010

The British Motorcyclists Federation is calling on all UK motorcyclists, no matter where they may live, to support the No To Bike Parking Tax campaign (NTBPT) against Westminster's on-street parking charges for motorcycles.

A strong supporter of the NTBPT campaign to overturn the parking charges imposed on motorcyclists by Westminster City Council, the bmf say that with a ruling last week that the High Court may have got it wrong in judging that the charges were legal, and with what was said to be 'a good prospect of success at the re-trial', now is the time to really get behind the campaign.

But with the Court of Appeal Hearing listed for mid-March, there is a desperate need for legal funding. The fund has already passed the £5,000 mark, but at least £20,000 will be required for the appeal case to be properly presented. Motorcyclists donating* the cost of a couple of gallons of petrol could make all the difference say the bmf.

The bmf's Government Relations Executive Chris Hodder, said: "Make no mistake about it, this is not just a London issue, the High Court ruling that Westminster's parking charges for motorcycles are legal could well signal the end of free parking for motorcyclists across the UK. That's why this case is important, that's why this funding is important, and without it we cannot succeed."

In order to maintain the protest's high profile, the latest in a series of protest rides is to be held on Sunday 5th December around London's North and South circular routes. To be known as the 'Ace to Ace - the North & South Circular Run', the fund-raising ride leaves the world famous Ace Café, North Circular, Stonebridge, at 10.30hrs and returns at around 16.00hrs.
Although all riders are welcome to join the protest, it is also hoped that whether they attend or not, motorcyclists can donate £10 each to the legal challenge fund.

Fund donations should be made to: 'NTBPT' SORT CODE: 40-02-35, A/C 11411047.

Law enforcement on the streets of Britain today ...

While we watch large scale X Factor style political debate with popularity being decided not on policy but on body language and presentation the clip and story below shows how real people are affected by the failings of politicians. Privatising law enforcement on the streets of Britain and a failure by politicians and council officers to accept any responsibility has led to the need for campaign groups and individuals to stand up and expose this.

Please support The Motorists Legal Challenge Fund.


Traffic warden faces the sack after foul rant about motorcyclist’s wife

Evening Standard
Felix Allen
19.04.10

A traffic warden faces the sack after his foul-mouthed rant at a motorcyclist was caught on video.
The Westminster council parking attendant is seen shouting at Warren Djangoly and making obscene comments about his wife during a confrontation in the West End.
Mr Djangoly, a management consulant from Barnes, said the abuse was “totally unprovoked”.

The warden, who has not been named, has been suspended after a video of the abuse, filmed by another biker, was posted on YouTube.

The recording shows the warden appearing agitated at being photographed, and saying: “Don't be taking my picture,” before he snaps at Mr Djanogly: “Go and give that to your wife because I'll be f***ing her soon.”
He repeats the comment as he turns his back and walks away.


Mr Djanogly, 46, said it was effectively a “threat of rape”, which he said was particularly alarming as private parking contractors have access to the DVLA database, including motorists' home addresses.

He told the Standard: “I was shocked when he swore at me but I didn't realise exactly what he said until I saw the video. It's really quite appalling. It was also totally unprovoked.
"I only said to him not to bother giving me a ticket because I was going, and he got all aggressive, saying don't tell me what to do'.
“What came out of his mouth next was astonishing and absolutely outrageous. It's very concerning when someone says that to you, and it was really quite traumatising because there's the worry that these people have access to our records.”

He said he has spoken to the police about the incident in New Cavendish Street this month, but is not sure whether to make a formal complaint.
He is also demanding a full apology from Westminster council and its parking enforcement contractor NSL Services, which employs the warden.

Dr Leith Penny, Westminster's strategic director of city management, said: “Our parking attendants do a difficult and challenging job. However, Westminster council demands the highest standards from its parking staff and we do not tolerate this kind of behaviour which is clearly unacceptable.”

NSL spokesman Tim Cowen said the warden's language was “shocking” and an investigation had been launched.
He added: “The civil enforcement officer in question has been removed from the Westminster operation and suspended while that investigation takes place.
"Behaviour like this is not acceptable and would usually result in dismissal if the case is proven.”

Temperature's rising in London ... and across the country.

There are rumblings and mumblings in other parts of the country and a number of criminal complaints actively being investigated. It is also understood that complaints have also been made against Government officials and the IPCC are involved in one due to the fact that an allegation was not investigated.

Police drop Westminster Council parking fraud inquiry
BBC News
Westminster had denied wrongdoing
Police have dropped an investigation into allegations of fraud at Westminster Council's parking unit.

The case concerned the awarding of a multi-million pound parking enforcement contract to private firm NSL Services that campaigners said was "improper".
But a Met spokesman said: "The information provided was investigated and no criminal offence was disclosed."
Group No To Bike Parking Fees (NTBPF), which made the claim, said police had not fully examined the evidence.

European Union law says contracts worth more than £156,442 must be opened to tender to any interested company and advertised in the EU's official journal.

The investigation could have been a lot more thorough. We had four people working on this case - and none of us were contacted at any stage
Warren Djanogly, No To Bike Parking Fees

Westminster's parking contract is worth about £13m-a-year and was previously being carried out by private parking firm NCP.
But in 2007 NCP was sold and broken up into smaller companies with the new firm, NSL Services created.

NTBPF alleged that at that point the contract was given directly to the new company without going through proper tendering processes.
The group has been examining Westminster Council since the authority began charging motorcyclists to park in central London.

But in an email to Westminster's chief executive Mike More, a Scotland Yard officer wrote: "Having examined the documents that the allegation has been based upon I am satisfied no criminal offences have been committed."

'Unanswered questions'
Mr More said: "From the outset we stated that we were confident this contract had been properly let by our officers and these claims were totally unfounded.
"We are pleased that police have concluded their investigation and have cleared our staff of any wrongdoing."

But Warren Djanogly, of NTBPF, said he had been told earlier this month that the case was to be passed to the Serious Fraud Office.
Mr Djanogly said: "Unfortunately it seems the investigation could have been a lot more thorough.
"We had four people working on this case - and none of us were contacted at any stage. There are still many unanswered questions."

Motorcyclists are still revolting

Bikers gear up for angry protest

Wood & Vale
editorial@hamhigh.co.uk
14 August 2009

ANGRY motorcyclists are expected to descend on Westminster City Hall on Sunday for the latest protest against controversial bike parking charges.
Introduced in August last year, the £150 a year (or £1.50 a day) charge has led to months of protest from bikers, many of who have opted for two wheels in a bid to avoid the congestion charge and parking fees.

In May, parking bosses reduced the rate to £1 and offered 900 free spaces in the council's 14 undercover car parks in a bid to appease campaigners.
But motorcyclists have vowed to keep protesting until the charges - branded a "stealth tax" - are removed.

The situation reached a climax this week following claims that Westminster has failed to answer a vast number of Freedom of Information requests within the statutory time limit - withholding certain documents.

And parking bosses came under further criticism following the breakdown of the Pay by Phone parking system on Tuesday, which left customers forced to phone back every half an hour to pay.

Warren Djanogly, chairman of the No To Bike Parking Tax Campaign, said: "This department is a disgrace and tarnishes the reputation of Westminster City Council as a whole. Not only are they wilfully trying to subvert the objections to their bike parking 'tax', they are delaying a statutory process, and ignoring FoI requests in the hope it will all go away. They need to drop this tax, and then be dropped by this council."

Parking chiefs and business leaders have condemned the group for causing "massive disruption, chaos, congestion, and misery" during rush hour protests. Richard Dickinson, chief executive of New West End Company which represents traders, has warned that continued demonstrations could cost traders millions of pounds in lost revenue.