West End Letters: Motorcycle Parking Tax

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West End Extra - LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Published: 13 March 2009

Bike tax is so unfair

• THE experimental motorcycle parking tax in Westminster is unfair and unjustified given the fact that the council has made no or very little effort to provide a service to motorcyclists.
I cannot see any changes in the parking bays between now and when they were used free of charge.
The payment system is discriminatory. I do not own a mobile phone for medical reasons, so I am unable to pay by phone. Given that I do not live in Westminster, there is very little point for me in purchasing an annual permit for when I go shopping or visiting family and friends in the borough.
I am reluctant to pay £1.50 in advance of coming into Westminster (via the website) purely because I am not guaranteed to find a free space during the day. Because the city council would not refund any fees paid, I’m not happy to pay £1.50 in advance and find nowhere to park.
I have decided to stop visiting Westminster for shopping, which will obviously hit businesses. But it is the result of the council’s inability to recognise that motorcycles reduce congestion and pollution in central London and therefore their use should be encouraged.
With its scheme, the council discriminates against customers who do not own a mobile phone for medical reasons and this is really shocking.
MARK JONES
Edith Grove, SW10

Send your letters to: The Letters Editor, West End Extra, 40 Camden Road, London, NW1 9DR or email to letters@westendextra.co.uk. The deadline for letters is midday Wednesday. The editor regrets that anonymous letters cannot be published, although names and addresses can be withheld.
Please include a full name, postal address and telephone number.
Letters may be edited for reasons of space.

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