Motorcycle parking fee looks set to stay
19 July 10
As a leading motorbike insurance broker Staveley Head, are always interested in any reports in the press affecting motorcyclists. In the news this week, campaigners were left disappointed after West Minister Council won a legal battle to continue charging motorcyclists a fee for parking in the borough, after an appeal by demonstrators was rejected.
Other than for resident permit holders, motorcyclists have to pay a £1 charge for parking in central London. Other payments options are available such as paying £3.50 a week, £13.50 a month, £33.50 for three calendar months or £100 for the year. The charges are said to be held for the next 3 years and apply to any dedicated on street parking bay, with car parks remaining free for motorcyclists to park.
The charges were introduced in January and the end of last month saw more than 50 motorcyclists riding to the Royal Courts of Justice for the beginning of a challenge to the legality of the £1-a-day parking fee.
‘No to Bike Parking Tax’ Campaign chairman Warren Djanogly spoke openly saying:
“Westminster councillors are blatantly abusing the system to raise money, and we are going to expose them. No other council charges bikes to park in this way. We have support from all over Europe. People everywhere are telling us we have got to stand up. We must not capitulate because every council round the country is desperate to bring in similar charges.”
The ‘No to Bike Parking Tax’ campaigners have been campaigning long and hard over the past year and have staged demonstrations such go-slow rides in and around Trafalgar Square, during rush hour.
Their appeal was finally rejected last week in the High Court with Lord Justice Pitchford sitting with Mr Justice Maddison saying that the council had “perfectly legitimate objectives” in bringing in a fee to help regulate traffic.
Councillor Lee Rowley, Westminster’s cabinet member for parking and transportation also commented:
“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 I'm glad the judge has reiterated this.”
Staveley Head is a leading provider of Motorbike Insurance in the UK.
For more information regarding this article, or to compare Motorbike Insurance quotes, contact Staveley Head on 0845 017 9991.
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