Page 11
Call Sign February 2012
Westminster Council certainly know how to
Westminster Council
make enemies whilst cocking a snook in sheer
derision at not just every road user whose only
aim is to park in central London, but also the
The Good, the bad and the ugly?
law. Among those affected would have been
Dial-a-Cab drivers, casino workers, theatre and
lows would help pedestrians crossing at road
restaurant staff or just members of the public
junctions; improve loading provision
who after a day's work, had planned to visit a
although as stopping will be more difficult, it's
theatre or restaurant during a long-awaited
hard to understand that logic; it will help dri-
evening out.
vers to pick up and set down although where
those passengers are now going to come from
The good...
is unexplained; assist emergency vehicles by
Those on DaC who cover the Westminster
keeping routes clear; ensure delivery vehicles
TaxiCard account know how good that council
are not obstructed by inconsiderate parking;
are in subsidising their disabled residents, giving
prevent obstruction by parked vehicles at traf-
them the opportunity to get out when many
fic lights etc; prevent the obstruction of sight
would otherwise remain housebound. Whilst
lines for all road users; ease traffic congestion
the occasional resident may moan that they
on approaches to junctions and traffic lights.
need more trips allocated to them, the majority
Everything except helping those who pump up
really appreciate the work that Westminster and
their coffers!
Dial-a-Cab do on their behalf.
Westminster Council leader Colin Barrow
Although one campaign group said it was good
The bad...
finally admitted they were wrong!
news for users of wheelchairs and buggies, others
Before Christmas, the same council announced
claimed the scheme would mean far fewer park-
review, Westminster had to postpone imple-
that they would be lengthening the times that
ing spaces in the West End on evenings and week-
mentation of the scheme. However, Mr Barrow
their parking meters would remain in use.
ends and would destroy many businesses that rely
commented before announcing he was resign-
Meters that reverted to free parking after 6.30
on people coming into town.
ing from his post that they were confident of
were to continue until later in the evening and
Councillor Lee Rowley, the Westminster cabi-
success at a hearing on the "strengths of our
to also include all day on Sundays a scheme
net member for parking and transport com-
arguments." The council has since accepted
said by many to be nothing more than a rev-
mented that the scheme would make
they were wrong and have apologised.The idea
enue raiser for the Westminster coffers. It
Westminster a safer place for pedestrians and
has been dropped.
would have undoubtedly had an effect on all
help drivers avoid parking where it may be
West End based businesses that rely on people
The ugly...
unsafe or inconsiderate to others. However,
coming into town at the end of the current
In a move criticised as being out of pure spite,
many others are saying that Westminster
parking restrictions.Any reduction on the num-
Westminster Council having accepted that
Council are just cocking a snook at the law
bers coming into town would also affect DaC
they could lose any legal challenge from busi-
after their extended parking charges were
drivers.
nesses in the area - then changed tack and
stopped via the legal challenge, so they just
A legal challenge was put into action against
instead of using extra time meters to increase
went around the back to bring in a similar
Westminster Council's plans, even though
revenue, have now removed large sections of
money-making scheme.
council leader Colin Barrow remained defiant
single yellow lines ok for parking after 6.30
Call Sign Online's question is how a coun-
in face of it and the almost universal condem-
and replaced them with double yellow lines
cil that can be so good in its disabled TaxiCard
nation including from London Mayor Boris
where there is no stopping at any time and
sponsorship, then turn so bad towards parkers
Johnson, who told Call Sign Online that it was
which will bring in a huge amount in Penalty
and ugly towards the law? And will anyone miss
important that West End businesses should feel
Charge Notices from those desperate to park to
Colin Barrow???
S AV I N G S !
confident and not carry any extra burdens.
get into the theatre or restaurant on time.
Dennis Latchett
Even former Conservative Transport Minister
According to a document that Call Sign
Steve Norris described the council's move as a
Call Sign Online
Online has seen, Westminster Council say that
"display of arrogance." Pending a judicial
Will the Olympics bring us more visitors???
converting single yellow lines to double yel-
No says VisitBritain...
DaC drivers
Tourist authority VisitBritain has claimed that the London 2012
# KITCHENS
Olympics does not expect to boost this year's UK visitor numbers.
phone for
Neither will celebrations for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee on 5
special offe
& APPLIANCES
rs
June the first celebration of that nature since Queen Victoria's on
# BEDROOMS
20 June 1897! But VisitBritain expects visitor numbers to remain
# WORKTOPS
the same as they were in 2011 their forecast numbering arrivals
# DOOR & DRAW REPLACMENTS
at just over 30 million.
VisitBritain chief executive Sandie Dawe said: "While these fig-
# PLANTATION SHUTTERS
ures are in line with 2011, maintaining visitor levels would be a good outcome in a
# ALL TYPES OF BLINDS
year that will prove difficult to predict due to the current global economic climate and
the impact this may have in many key markets."
# AWNINGS
Ms Dawe did point out that the UK should see a record number of holiday visits this
year, although the business travel market is down and something she said could fall
You are welcome to visit
even further if the economy worsened. But she still called the Olympics a bonus for UK
our showroom at:
tourism.
"2012 gives us an unprecedented opportunity to showcase Britain in a way that we
Unit 8 Tripes Farm,
have never had before, allowing us to revitalise our appeal in mature markets and help
Chelsfield Lane,
us get Britain on the destination wish list of first time visitors from growth markets
Orpington, Kent BR6 7RS
such as Brazil, China, India and Russia."
Instant Kitchen and
She ended by saying that VisitBritain was working hard to ensure that the Games
and Diamond Jubilee celebrations would generate positive PR for Britain, taking advan-
Bedroom & Blinds UK
tage of the global interest to increase tourism numbers in the years ahead and creating
01689 897111...
Call Ian (R50) on
a lasting tourism legacy for the future.
