WHAT CRAIG CAREY-CLINCH TOLD THE BRITISH PARKING ASSOCIATION – PART 2
Craig Carey-Clinch was not happy with the comments attributed to him in the last issue of Network. It was pointed out that the article was taken directly from the BPA newsletter and
that he ought to take it up with them. However, it was agreed to that he could reply in this issue of Network. Craig’s comments are below:
“I'll need to check the original BPA article, but if this is what was written by them, then this is a gross misrepresentation of what I actually said at this conference.
The point I made was that parking charges should only be considered if other fiscal avenues have been exhausted. And then only if chargeable secure parking was accompanied by a general
increase in free non-secure parking, so that riders always get choice. I made the point that the Westminster scheme failed largely because the pay bays had been created to the detriment of the number of on-street
free bays. In other words Westminster reduced parking bay numbers and started charging for some of them. This created a justifiable backlash by riders.
I made a number of pointed remarks about charges being inappropriate in the context for the need to promote alternatives to the car, which drew some equally blunt responses from
Westminster Borough! A lively debate was held.
I think that those of us on the motorcycling side celebrated the Westminster 'U' turn on charging, but I'm given to wonder if this is the last we'll see of secure motorcycle parking as a
policy for Westminster LBC.”
