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North Wales Deputy Chief Constable's Blog Inciting Hatred
 “Leaving Brunstrom to man the bridge over the weekend, I took the Missus up to the Lake District for a long weekend.
Why I should swap one wilderness of lakes and hills for another is a good question; but they say a change is as good as a rest.
The area has many delights and sailing a traditional lake boat on Ullswater is certainly one of them.
Drifting on the breeze, with the ochre sail set against grey waters and green fell, it was hard to imagine that some 12 million tourists a year visit the area.
The only detriment to this earthly paradise was the inescapable whine of motorcycles on the A592.
Revving in frustration at the snaking traffic and inconvenient speed limits, the machines seemed wholly incompatible with the otherwise pristine scene. I reflected on the statutory duty of Park Authorities to” conserve” and enhance natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage” and was reminded that Snowdonia suffers the same high pitched affliction.
Most riders are responsible and courteous. North Wales Police has worked hard with partner organisations to cut the amount of motorcycle carnage on our routes.
This does not begin to address, however, the environmental imposition.
Only on the highest peaks (I just about managed it on a misty Helvellyn) is it possible to escape the grand prix ambience. In Germany, some states have banned the use of motorcycles at the weekend in certain areas.
Is it now time to banish motorcycles completely from our National Parks?”
http://tinyurl.com/q6be4
Archi Hipkins, MAG [UK]’s National Network Communications Officer used the above link to take the opportunity of responding to Clive Wolfendal's the Deputy Police Chief of North Wales, blog.
Pointing out that he is missing several points – failure to distinguish between legal pipes on bikes and the use of illegal aftermarket ones and the sound volume difference that often occurs, the charva motorist who also fits loud and illegal pipes to their car often then mistaken as being a bike when heard and not seen.
Those that choose to have ‘dance’ music blaring at full volume in their cars which not only causes noise pollution but is both dangerous and illegal to boot.
Also it was pointed out that it is we the populous who own the country, not the police and New Labour.
It was also pointed out the furore that ensued when yet another failed labour minister tried to get motorbikes banned from the Yorkshire National Park.
Paul Smith, of the Safe Speed road safety campaign said. “This is a very ugly and planned piece of PR. The deputy Chief Constable of North Wales is attempting to incite hatred for motorcyclists. If motorcyclists were a racial group I dare say that his own chief constable would be having very stern words.
As it is, I presume that North Wales Police figure that motorcyclists as a group are fair game because they contribute to the statistics that prove their beloved speed cameras don't work." Remember there is no such thing as a safe zombie.
"This is not the proper business of senior Police officers."
"It is actually very important to road safety that all road user groups look out for one another. These comments incite hatred and tend to set road user groups against one another."
MAG,s Aine Gale received a response from Richard Brunstrom Chief Constable North Wales Police
“Thank you for your email
I actively encourage senior police officers to initiate and develop public debate on points of interest.
It is a matter of public record that traffic volumes and traffic noise in our National parks are controversial subjects.
North Wales Police will continue to be in the forefront of the development of public policy on issues like this.
This is exactly the area in which blogs excel, by enabling the public to understand more about the way in which senior police officers think, and to engage directly in a totally new way in debate with them. We will continue to develop blogging.”
MAG Comment: “Blog off”.
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