At last… Barrow is out!
Cllr Colin Barrow is out, and we see Westminster Council’s dream of night-time parking charges about to fade to a distant nightmare.
This is a great victory for the combined forces of the “No To The Bike Parking Tax” campaign and the “We are against Westminster City Council new parking regulations” campaign. I am sure all at NTBPT are pleased for the businesses and workers of Westminster and are relieved that such a destructive policy has failed.
Westminster Council now need to get rid of the Bike Parking Tax.
We have done our bit for the night-time workers; now we need to remind Westminster Council what our main agenda is, and at the same time let them know we won’t go away until the Tax goes away.
This is a good time to make a difference. Check the NTBPT forums for upcoming events and please try to attend as we need to strike while the iron is hot.
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RETURN OF THE WEDNESDAY EVENING SUPPER CLUB
another great night out , well done to all who attended , lets make the next one even bigger
NTBPT Campaign accounts published, links below
Below are links to the full accounts for all donations and expenses for the NTBPT campaign, can you believe we raised a staggering £89,594.40! Bank statement scans and lists of donors (names censored) are available, as well as all legal costs broken down. Any questions please contact [email protected]
- Account summary & overview of documents for NTBPT Accounts (PDF 94kb)
- Aug 09 to Jul 10 censored bank statements pt 1 (PDF 3.3mb)
- Aug 10 to May 11 censored bank statement pt 2 (PDF 4.4mb)
- Lawyer Costs & Funds Received Schedule (PDF 717kb)
- NTBPT Legal Fund Donors XLS – Names Censored (Excel XLS 344kb)
The High Court Judgement itself in full
Naturally, the whole NTBPT Campaign, and a huge number of outside supporters, are immensely disappointed with the Court’s decision. Before WCC trot out the usual diatribe of “hoping to draw a line underneath this”, let it be clearly understood that there are no large females singing on this side!
Whilst grounds for permission to appeal to the Supreme Court have been submitted to this court (see points 18 onwards of attachment), the anticipated refusal means our case will be taken to Europe, but this time against the UK Government, where legal-aid negates the need for any further fundraising.
We are keen to see whether the ECJ agrees that:-
1) The requirement that an actual experiment must support any “Experimental Traffic Order” can be ignored – when it comes to parking
2) Accurate data upon which Councillors base crucial decisions when adopting new traffic schemes need not be adhered to, since such data is “only a projection”
3) A traffic benefit of demand management need not be supported by any scientific evidence of claimed “increase in demand”
4) Legislation allows for a local authority to declare the termination of discriminatory treatment between different vehicle types, based upon its own ideas of ‘fairness’. (see points 22 to 24 of attachment)
5) The requirement to consult in a fair, conscientious & considered manner can be deemed fulfilled even when all the consultees are deliberately misled as to the actual justification.
We have always maintained that this scheme was intended to raise revenue. The notion that the residents were to be beneficiaries could have lent a modicum of justification to this charge. But this was simply not the case as WCC admitted the scheme was sold as being ‘revenue-neutral’ to the other Councillors, and presented in court as costing the residents a projected £400k per annum.
The actual beneficiaries were to be the two private companies contracted to collect & enforce the scheme – both with unacceptably close links to certain councillors & officers; both of whose contract awards were mired in allegations of collusion & corruption; and both with separate complaints either previously investigated or under investigation by the EU Commission.
Only last month, WCC squandered £600k on an out-of-court settlement rather than have the parking enforcement contract award examined under the public glare of a court case.
However, it was a secondary revenue stream resulting from the new technology of Pay-By-Phone parking – identified by the scheme’s architect Alistair Gilchrist – that we say was the real motivation behind this scheme. As proved by other agencies like DVLA, the trading in the personal data of motorists has a ready and lucrative marketplace. Income was to be derived by selling it through a private limited company, Westco Trading Ltd, and could then be distributed as ‘bonuses’. This found great favour amongst a less than reputable WCC inner-sanctum.
This campaign has long asked why any council should ever need its own private limited company. Could the requirement on all councils to lay open all items of account for a 20-day period lead to the conclusion that WCC have something to hide?
At Point 29 of this judgement, it is stated: ‘The important point is that, in my judgement, the ultimate decision-maker, the Cabinet Member, was not materially misled by the information with which he was provided’. At Point 32 (in reiterating the original judgement): ‘It was ultimately for the Cabinet Member to make a judgement.’
Our view is that this particular Cabinet Member, being Mr Gilchrist’s flatmate and Co-Director of Westco Trading, Cllr. Danny Chalkley, was also due to benefit financially, and therefore no amount of mis-information would have had any impact on his decision.
Had this information been permissible in this case, we feel sure that neither Judge would have seen Cllr. Chalkley as being the best arbiter of any objections to the scheme.
At point 12 the judge seems to write off blatant duplicity by WCC by stating that ‘the Council has not always been entirely consistent about the objective sought to be achieved by charging’.
An interesting analysis is offered here by Dr. Leon Mannings, a Transport Policy expert, about the skewed consultation, listing duped consultees including MAG, BMF and a representative of the Motor Cycle Industry Association, who attended a meeting with Cllr Chalkley in June 2009 where assurances were given regarding the reasons for the charge as not being demand management – this fact was also mentioned in court.
This would explain the stance taken by the MCIA Chief Exec in an email dated 23 June 2009 to the campaign:
“Although MCI does not endorse Westminster’s pay for parking scheme, there is an argument to suggest that if carefully designed schemes can be put in place, which have ring fenced revenues which will be ploughed back into greater parking provision and an increased number of secure motorcycle bays, then it may be entirely reasonable to charge a nominal fee for parking a PTW, as this would represent direct value for money for riders (not a perceived tax) and a real expectation of ever improving motorcycle parking.”
We were later encouraged to hear that, following the meeting facilitated by Dr Mannings, the MCIA resolved that, should it ever come to light that this scheme was based on “demand management”, it would reconsider its position – since we were of the opinion that the only serious opposition WCC truly feared was the equally powerful industrialists of the MCIA.
Very early in this campaign, the Tax Payers Alliance calculated that the scheme’s roll-out nationwide could result in the motorcycling community forking out £93m to simply park where it has always been free. It has always been our view that such a massive reduction in the buying power of the UK motorcycling public could not be sustained by a specialised retail sector suffering equally with all other sectors in these austere times.
The judgement handed down today bares testament to the way in which both the MCIA and the industry as a whole were misled by WCC. Perhaps a silver lining of this adverse judgement will be the MCIA and the wider industry undertaking a review of their policy toward the tax now that the ‘official reasons’ are clear to us all, and voicing their opposition to it.
Regrettably, Dr Mannings fails to acknowledge the enormous effort & personal sacrifice of a small group of plucky volunteers that make up this NTBPT Campaign who were not drawn in by councillors’ promises. This resulted in their clubbing together, at great personal cost both in time & finances, to not only bring the legal challenge in the first place, but to successfully quarantine the concept of on-street motorcycle parking charges to the borough of Westminster. Yet the great shame behind this voluntary effort was that requests for assistance from more established lobby groups appeared to fall on deaf ears.
In the meantime, we hope that many of our more ardent supporters can put this particular disappointment behind them and continue to support us as we take the fight to the ECJ, safe in the knowledge that our numbers will inevitably swell as those untouched by the WCC scheme fall victim to similar ones adopted by their own council
As a learner i would like to join someone else with me for the ride to ACE CAFE – Any requests ? –
PLEASE WRITE HERE – i can call you YOU CAN GIVE ME your contact details
Great stuff guys n gals, im hoping to visit the big smoke in July for Fireblade riders day at the ACE cafe..i live oop north but fully support you in your efforts against bullshit stealth taxes…btw how does a vehicle qualify for zero tax?…i.e. certain cars have been awarded zero tax due to their emissions being below 100g per Kilometre..as a forum buddy said “why am i paying £66 a year then” 15.1 CO2 g/km. (CO2 – Carbon dioxide emission) and thats for a CBR900 Fireblade!!
thanks everyone who has made me late for work nearly every day
Rachel, don’t complain here, complain to Westminster Council.
Keep pushing, we’re winning. I feel proud to be associated with Warren and the rest of the committee for actually making a stand and not just moaning. they’ve shown what can be done.
are there any groups takeing part from the Burgess hill /west sussex area
or individuals who would like to get together and become a specticle for the general public to highten our cause
regards see you all on saterday
hi, all , Maybe there are some of you in south london joining ?
– I am a learner and would would to join Others at a meeting point ?
Please Message here
Riding in from Lowestoft Sat morning via Bury St Edmunds, Baldock and A1 to arrive 11am – anyone else heading my way??
Greeting’s all the way from sunny California, U.S.A. Many riders here have been following this issue closely and have all written letters to council members. We support your cause in full force…so keep the sunny side up!
Scott Hartwick
OCMoto.com
Due to a broken leg, yes another SMIDSY, I’m unable to join you on this historic ride but my spirit will be with you every mile of the way, good luck to everyone who is taking part no matter how big orsmall there part in it is. Give the public something to wonder at, we’re not all hairy armed greasy, uneducated, we just like riding bikes, good luck all and may your God be with you,
I’m heading to “The Great Lap of London” right now. This M25 protest is going to be amazing.
Listen up Westminster Council, the bikers are not going away until this motorcycle parking charge is abolished.
NO TO BIKE PARKING CHARGES!
Well, despite the rain in Suffolk I set out bright (?) and early this morning and made it to the Ace Cafe by about 1045. And thank goodness I did – what a great day we all had – I would have hated to miss it. I was only able, due to the delays, to stay with the ride until J28 before peeling off back to Lowestoft via the A12, but I felt I had done my little bit from “the sticks” – well done to all those who have made the whole lap today – a good job done!
Ahhh need a glass of wine in the bath after riding my 250cc vespa for 7 1/2 hours today, but well woth it what a brilliant turn out. keep it up everyone…..
J
What a day. Fantastic turn out for the lap of M25 crap British Weather meant a wet spell. Ride into central London was most impressive with a solid line of bikers and residents coming out to wave us bye. My Jinlun 250V managed 350km trip today with a failing rear wheel bearing. Hopefully have it fixed for Wednesday morning club and Thursday court session.
Nick
Hey all, came down from Derbyshire on the Buell, but sadly broke down on the foot of the M25 Darford Bridge, just got home after a long journey home with the bike in the back of a van
Great day though, keep up the good work
Congrats to all who stood to be counted. Shame it was 1 1/2 hours late getting to Junc 10. I got there 1/2 hour early, so was waiting 2 hours til all you boys arrived. Fantastic while it lasted but didnt have time to go to the Ace. Shame. Best of luck in court. Eaglesman, Hampshire
what a great day. m25 lap was fantastic great turnout and well organised good luck for thursday.
NICE 1 GUYS AND GIRLS!!!
I had a wicked day out with a few thousand bikers. Had breky at the ACE, got me and mrs alfie our hi-vis bibs, rode the biggest convoy i’ve ever seen, broke down (obligitry), caught up and had the most fun i’ve ever had in westminster causing carnage. Even mrs alfie had a great day spreading our message. Not a counciler in the land could ignore that!
What can we protest against next? Count me in! Alfie, Brighton
Wow………..that was simply amazing.We had a fantastic day,Was the biggest family daytrip i had ever been on.It was a privelidge and an honour to be part of it.Good luck with the case guys,we are behind you every step of the way.
Saturday was a most impressive turn out i have ever seen. Enjoyed every moment riding the M25 with other like minded people. From the QE2 bridge i could see the front but not the back. Would love to know the count. ( WE WILL NOT GO AWAY AND FADE IN TO THE NIGHT WE ARE HERE TO STAY ) Good Luck. See you all Wednesday evening. up the Bikers.
i just like to thanks warren all the commitee and all the bikers that we still are fighting this pigs of westminster council
That was awesome ride, as I live and work in Westminster and ride about 8 miles a day only, that was my longest ride ever on a bike and it was well worth it, I thought my 125CC Honda will not make it the whole way round, but it made me proud and gave me the owner to be counted in with you guys on such a great day.
Well done everyone.
RESPECT.
Great to see and be apart of, I hope Westminster give up as they are supposed to represent the people, after that excellent turn out if they don’t what do they represent. I ride into Westminster every day about 25 miles each way, the charge imposed will turn into a cancer if not stopped and needs to be cut out. On a lighter note I think The M25 ride out should become a regular advent, what have Westminster started!
Big thanks to Warren and the gang for organising such an epic demonstration. I was so proud to be part of this incredible day. I would do it all again in a heart beat. Had to say bye to the convoy returning to Hangar Lane cos time was getting late but am gutted I missed the ride into Westminster. Well done everyone who took part. We most definitely are NOT going away. We only get stronger. Good luck in Court on Thursday
Awesome breakfast club this morning Wed 23 Jun, lets try and beat it tonight at 5-30pm.
I would just like to say what a great day sat. 19 june 2010 was and sorry for overtaking you all {black goldwing} but i had mark the videocamera on my pillion. such a sight has never been seen in london before im sure. good luck to all on thurs./fri. from all at capital wings and all motorcyclists nationwide.
Why don`t you look at this,another way ?
Bikes do not pay toll on the Dartford crossing anymore (used to be 30p),yet tere was no big hurrah for that.£1 a day is such a small amount,considering the alleviation,of the Dartford charge,not to mention,the exemption,from the congestion charge.
So, let`s say,we go with the charge and in return the Council,install security rings,into the existing bike bays and over the next ,say 6-12 months,create a set amount of new motorcycle bays (with security rings).This way,there will be something tangeble,for the money paid and bikes would theoretically,be a little more secure.
Motorcyclists / Scooterists need to be aware of gaining positive reaction,from the general public (as demo`s,with loud cans,or blocking motorways,will only enhance,the `hells angel’ stereotype,we STILL suffer from.)
For the record,i am a Motorcyclist,of some 25 years and feel that £1 per DAY !! to park,is quite reasonable and it was something,that was always going to happen one day,of course,the council,could turn the bike bays,into car bays and make even more money,then where would we be?
Let`s lose the agressiveness,of this campaign and try to be more moderate,thoughtful and pragmatic in our approach to it.
We have had it good,for a long time,but ALL good things,come to an end eventually,so let`s try and accept it,with a touch of grace,dignity and responsibility.ZED
Hi Zed. Fair points on the face of it, but the issues go much deeper. For instance, why not let WCC charge for bicycle parking too? Don’t think they havn’t considered it. After all, its only a question of time, right! Its no accident that motorcycle street parking around the world is free. There is sense, logic, reason and transport strategies which allow free parking everywhere on the globe. Except within WCC it seems! We are not defeatist, and many may feel you are missing the point. As for suggestion of aggressive behaviour – over 1700 bikes took to the road on the 19th June and every individual involved behaved impeccably, in good humour and without an ounce of aggression in sight, and Im proud to have been one of them. Good luck in Court Guys. You have the support of an overwhelming majority of the biking community behind you. We’ll never give fighting for what is right.
this message is for ZED
please dont leave stupid comment the bike dont get charge
in the whole world ask yourself why ring wont stop from stealing them
and you are the shame of the whole biker in the uk
How’s the Case going? I can’t find any details about any results.
London The Long Way Round M25 demo was amazing! I’ve been to a few motorcycle rallies in my time but the 17 June 2010 must have been the biggest motorcycle rally London has ever seen. I’ve never seen so many bike parked up at The Ace Cafe London. I’m not usually a fan of motorway riding (or driving) but when you are riding along the M25 with thousands of other motorbikes it’s great fun.
I managed to attend the Royal Courts of Justice (High Court) last week and found it all very interesting. Westminster Council Chief Executive Mike Moore looked pretty nervous and the WCC barrister didn’t seem to know what she was talking about half the time. I liked the way everyone created a free motorcycle bay in the middle of the road (even the police parked their bikes there). I love the way this campaign has brought all the motorcycle, moped and scooter riders together. We all come from different walks of life but have the same aim; to scrap the Westminster motorcycle parking charges.
Westminster Councillor Lee Rowley (Cabinet Member for Parking and Transportation) needs to think long and hard about if he really wants to continue charging for motorbike parking, as I’m sure he doesn’t want to end up like Cllr Danny Chalkley (who would?). That also goes for the Leader of Westminster City Council, Cllr Colin Barrow and that irritating man Alastair Gilchrist (Ali G) who claims to be a biker himself (yeah right!).
Do you think the Westminster Councillors and officers have got it yet? WE WON’T GO AWAY UNTIL MOTORCYCLE PARKING BAYS IN THE CITY OF WESTMINSTER ARE FREE OF CHARGE AGAIN!
The UK Press Association recently reported: “The £1 charge has already triggered protests on the streets, with bikers spray-painting signs.”
If the UKPA has evidence that it was one or more ‘bikers’ that did this unlawful act of vandalism, why does it not report the evidence to the authorities? Jumping to conclusions with ‘journalistic licence’? Bikers today have evolved somewhat and are a little more intelligent than most people appreciate … mainly because the majority of non-biking public haven’t even spoken to a ‘biker’ so how would they know? So, UKPA, prove it was a ‘biker’.
I’ve only just heard about this cause via Facebook. I give my FULL support even though I don’t ride within London itself, I do ride an part within the out skirts and down in Kent.
What you guys are doing is ALSO for the greater good of ALL road users.
Bikes are the BEST and greenest way to get about and it’s about bloody time the government started to think about incentives for ‘riders’ rather than tax them.
KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK!
Amazing feat. I appreciate the fact that the bikers I saw at Trafalgar Square today were neither aggressive nor breaking any laws.
I love the punchline, ” If you treat us like cars, we`ll act like cars”.
All for a good cause.
biker from Dubai, UAE
I’m not sure how you think holding up traffic in trafalgar square every week is going to gain you support from other traffic participants/non-bikers… it annoys me, and I’m not even stuck in one of the cars!
Fantastic effort! Well done from the motorcyclists of Australia. We’re with you all the way. (wish I could get over and join in!)
This is another message for Zed.
You might be a clerk in WCC who is using a bike maybe few times a year.
Immagine that you work as a courier and you have to stop in WCC for more than 10 min. for a few drops<waist of time and money.
Immagine that you want to do some shopping in different shops or you have to do something in your bank-different places= charge everytime you park.
That's for you reasonable?
Do you really think that the safety of your bike matters for WCC with the hooks on the ground?
Guys,we have to win the case!
Can I have an update please of court proceedings?
No emails or sms texts sofar.
NOT SURE HOW YOUR DEMO HAS BEEN, BUT THEY WANT MORE CARS OFF THE ROAD TO EASE CONGESTION , SO USING THE BIKE WOULD BENEFIT THEM, BUT THE ARSES IN WESTMINSTER AINT GOTTA A CLUE, AS A FORMER MINI CAB DRIVER ( and a bike rider ) THEY HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A PROFIT MAKING BOROUGH FROM THE START WHEN THEY INTRODUCED THE AMERICAN STYLE WARDENS . EVEN GOING BACK TO THE LATE 80,S AND EARLY 90,S THE WARDENS WERE CUNTS THEN AND I NEARLY KILLED A FEW, BUT YOU NEED TO KEEP UP WITH THE DEMOS AND GET ONE OVER THE GREEDY CUNTS AT WESTMINSTER. I REMEMBER THE GOOD OLD DAYS WHEN YOU COULD PARK ON THE PAVEMENT RATHER THAN WALKING 1000,S YARDS TO PARK, ANYWAY GOOD LUCK GUYS
Cars have to pay, so should bikers. Stop clogging up the roads on a wednesday you lot are a total pest! I have written to Westminster Council to ask them to remove all bikers and car parking bays and make the whole of Central London a Bus and Taxi only zone.
Message for Dave: Its called exercising a democratic right to protest. By their nature protests usually inconvenience others, and we are sorry that you have been inconvenienced. I suggest you stop and think how many times the quality of your life has been benefited throughout previous generations by people who are prepared to stand up and fight for what they believe to be right whilst people like you have probably sat at home happy to let others fight their cause for them instead of getting off their sofas and doing it for themselves. Just stop and think how many times throughout the years people have been inconveniened so that you can live the life you do. Again, we are sorry that you or anyone else has been inconvenienced but please don’t use it to back up your ill conceived complaint against our campaign and our legal democratic right to protest.
Sorry guys but my sympathy for you is nil. You complain because you are going to get charged to park and you need a phone and a credit card to do so. Well, all the people you are stopping from getting to work are losing money for themselves and their businesses too. Plus the fact that I’m sure they are expected to call in and explain why! You can’t expect to win public support by inconveniencing the public. That’s obvious. If there was a vote, I’d vote against you right now.
I would imagine that by inconveniencing so many people with your protests you will have lost a huge amount of support from the general public. Your protests are an annoyance that nobody really wants to put up with and I know a lot of people who no longer support you because of it.
Good lord. Maybe we should just all roll over so the government and fat cats can royally shaft us easier? I assume that for a quiet life you consider that to be worth it? The apathy of the vast majority of the public is stunning,I often wonder just what would get some of you to take a stand. People are very good at complaining about things (I daresay many moaned every time car parking charges were raised) and yet THEY WILL DO SOD ALL ABOUT IT! Well,I for one completely support the campaign. Bikers are not afraid to stand up for what is right,and we do not wish to live in some tax-heavy,sterile nanny state.
Keep up the good work.
I’m not a motorcyclist, and it has been slighty inconvenient, but I’m backing you all the way. Things are going to get inconvenient for us all ove the next few years so we had better get used to it.
Try and protest when the RMT next go on strike – maximum effect. Don’t worry about the moaning taxi drivers and white van mans – they’re just jealous of the solidarity you have shown for each other.
You will break westminster council – and you will win this. It’s time to step up and crush them – no retreat, no surrender. Show the country how it doesn’t have to put up with draconian taxes enforced by wasteful and corrupt councils.
Alex@39
It’s very sad to see you put your own self interests ahead of the common good, I thought mankind had grown out of this – I guess it’s still evident where people haven’t fully developed socially.
I’m sure you would have a lot to say about your business rates, or council tax, or residents permit charges – because they affect you.
I’m sure those people you mention who have been stopped from going to work and business would much rather they could prevent the extortion acted by councils through their own solidarity rather than have this minor inconvenience halted.
….or do you simply bend over and continue to take it from the state – moaning and grumbling to the poor people around you – but never actually doing anything about it?
Dave@37
“Cars have to pay, so should bikers”
…but cars don’t have to pay – well they wouldn’t if they protested in the same manner. Why don’t you gather your car friends and go and demand an end to car parking charges in Westminster……oh, I forgot, you can’t because most central London car drivers are self centred and incredibly lazy (which is why they don’t use public transport) and you couldn’t get enough of them to block pudding lane, let alone the Strand!
…and for those who claim that the protests inconvenience a large number of people – clearly haven’t actually been to one! Even if they managed to halt every vehicle in London and annoy every single driver – it would be a tiny proportion of the ‘general public’ – or did you only think there were general public in London?
I suspect the population of Bradford for example are certainly not inconvenienced by the protests and in the majority would be happy to see a council getting reminded it’s suppose to serve the people and not the other way round!
well all the people that have been inconvenied instead
to get upset with us they should get upset with westminster
that are not listen to us
and they should contact westminster to stop to charge us
this is a peaceful war but is a war and any war always inconvenied
somebody if we will not stop the governement to charge us for any stupid reason we will end up in a comunist regime when you go to work and give all the money to the governement is that what you want chris?
i personally work to get some money also not to pay bills bills !!!!!
wake up people and stand for your right we are far more than the governement so we should beat them stop this monarchy and slavery in england
Because of your protests I’ve been late for my new job in recent weeks more than once due to my buses terminating early and having to walk the rest of the way from Parliament Square to Regent Street. I am now on a first warning so thanks very much. After a 10 hour shift today, my 1 hour trip home on the bus has taken me 2 hours because again Trafalgar Square was blocked with bikers. If I could afford to take a tube or train home I would in order to avoid your pointless protests. I don’t care if they charge you to park your bikes. These protests mean nothing to the council, they don’t care about anyone. I have no support for people who have no consideration for the livelihoods of others, I have no support for the council and even less for you.
Question to Alex & Chris.
This “public support” that we appear to have lost. Can you explain how it used to manifest itself when we supposedly had it? Any examples of what this supposed public support did for us bikers would also be appreciated.
Or, as I assume, you just like to spout out generic meaningless phrases to disguise your own selfishness at being more concerned at being a little late for work as opposed to caring for the multitudes who, for your benefit as well as their own, freed up our overly congested roads by switching to motorcycles & scooters only to now be taxed to no-one’s benefit other than the private companies contracted to collect & enforce the tax.