London Motorists Action Group

Neil Herron CPZ Judicial Review

The Motorists Legal Challenge Fund is fundraising to support Neil & it is not too late to show your support.

Tuesday and Wednesday of this week (18th & 19th May) sees Neil Herron's case in the High Court. It has taken almost 3 years to get this case before a Judge, but we are finally there. What is at stake is the correct and legal definition of a Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ).

CPZs were originally designed for small areas of 12 streets or less, but local councils have abused them so much that they can now cover areas of 12 square miles or more encompassing hundreds of streets.

The entry signs in some places have become so large and complicated that they are impossible to read - let alone retain - when travelling past at 30 mph (or even 20 mph). As a result, motorists are often not sure about when and where they can park, which increases the risk of their receiving a parking ticket.

The Department for Transport has been concerned for some time now about the misapplication of CPZs and the difficulties it causes for drivers. Indeed, they even researched the issues way back in 2005 . More recently, the DfT along with the Institute of Highways Engineers have effectively declared CPZs as "not fit for purpose".

However, nothing has been done to clarify the situation.

Neil's case could do just that.

London Councils - CCTV Code of Practice for Operation of Enforcement Cameras (re

Since 1999 the London Boroughs and Transport for London have been using CCTV cameras to enforce traffic regulations. The introduction of enforcement of traffic regulations by CCTV cameras is one part of a wide-ranging programme of measures intended to improve the reliability and punctuality of public transport, reduce congestion and pollution. The intended aim of most traffic management measures, such as bus lanes and parking regulations is to give priority to certain groups of road users by excluding others during prescribed hours. The introduction of CCTV monitoring of traffic regulations is supposed to reduce the level of contraventions and so reduce delays on the highway network. A code of practice was produced in June 2001 in order to ensure that the use of CCTV for this purpose was consistent throughout London and in accordance with current best practice. Designed to ensure that issues such as privacy and integrity are properly respected and by setting a minimum standard, it is supposed to bolster public confidence in the system.

Civil Enforcement Officers Handbook (draft)

London Councils Transport and Environment Committee have issued a draft version of the long awaited update to the Parking Attendants handbook.

Designed to standardise enforcement across Londons 33 Boroughs it contains guidance which has general relevance in London. It describes contraventions, their codes, exemptions and details of information that should be recorded to prove that a contravention took place. All types of parking restriction that boroughs are likely to encounter are covered. It is pointed out, however, that there will be local variations in policy and these will be a matter for each borough.

FOI - Congestion Charge criteria for dealing with representations

Following protracted argument over whether or not to release this information Transport for London lost a review application to the Information Commissioner and were ordered to dislose the document.

Originally TFL refused to release the document arguing that the release would prejudice the exercise of TFL's functions and Freedom of Information Act exemptions under section 30 (Investigations and proceedings conducted by public authorities) and 31 (Law enforcement) were claimed.

The information commissioner agreed with TFL, but then the information tribunal overturned the information commissioner's decision and ordered the document be released.

PRESS RELEASE : Manifesto on the Reform of Parking and Traffic Enforcement

London Motorists Action Group and Drivers Alliance in association with The Motorists Legal Challenge Fund : Manifesto on the Reform of Parking and Traffic Enforcement

Foreword by Lord Lucas, Chairman of the London Motorists' Action Group

Parking enforcement is a highly emotive issue. Hardly a day goes by without a story in a newspaper somewhere detailing how an unfortunate motorist suffered injustice at the hands of a local authority, private parking contractor, or bailiff. Indeed, a few of those articles are the journalists' own first-hand accounts. The BBC regularly airs features on parking enforcement and by all accounts they generate a massive response from viewers, far in excess of any other topic.

Why should this be? It is hard to describe the feelings of outrage, unfairness and helplessness that descend like a 'red mist' on receipt of an unjust Penalty Charge Notice (PCN). Rational thought is difficult in this emotionally charged state. Many people feel "something should be done" and resolve to write to their MP or local councillor, but once the initial anger has subsided many just pay up and shut up.

Normal Service Will Resume Shortly

Bailiffs chose not to pursue appeal of detailed assesment decision

The baillif company having been granted leave to appeal the decsion have decided not to pursue the application

The Judge had specified in granting permission to appeal "The bailiff was following the practice in force for 15 years. No one has challenged the right to charge for wheelclamping before.

My decision that they cannot do so (at least to the extent that they have charged until now) not only affects the London Borough of Camden but also every Borough with de-criminalised parking.

Accordingly, it has significant local and possible National implications and that is a compelling reason why an appeal should be heard"

Parliamentary Question on regulating Bailiffs in light of recent death

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in light of the death on 7 January of Mr Andy Miller, whether they will bring forward their draft bailiff regulations.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Justice (Lord Bach): My Lords, the House will want to offer its condolences to Mr Miller’s family. My right honourable friend the Justice Secretary immediately ordered an urgent investigation into Mr Miller’s death. The Ministry of Justice has been working on the underlying draft regulations for the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007. Prior to implementation these far reaching reforms will require full public consultation and at least 12 months for careful preparation by the industry.

Westminster�s motorbike charges rake in 7 times cost of extra parking

Westminster City Council’s controversial motorbike charges have raked in £2,272,000 in extra income - over seven times more than the £302,000 cost of providing extra motorbike parking bays, according to the latest figures provided by the Council.

Labour Councillors say that now that the costs of providing the extra bays have been recouped from motorbike owners, the £150 a year/£1.50 a day parking tax should be scrapped. Labour say that the £150 a year charge for a permit is equivalent to a 22% Council Tax increase.

Councillor Paul Dimoldenberg, Leader of the Labour Group, said:

“The costs of providing the extra motorbike parking bays has been well and truly paid for by motorbike owners - seven times over. All the extra income is simply an extra Conservative tax on motorbike owners and is totally unjustified. There is a massive campaign against the Conservative motorbike tax from Westminster residents and from motorbike commuters into Westminster living right across London. This campaign is growing daily and it will not go away.”

Westminster CEOs - caught on camera faking evidence

CHEATING parking wardens have been caught on video in a corrupt scam—brazenly dishing out false tickets to INNOCENT motorists then shamelessly FAKING photos as back-up “proof”.

News of the World investigators filmed them last week ticketing a LEGALLY parked motor and FABRICATING the “evidence”.

You can see our footage by scrolling to the video player at the bottom of this page.

After being alerted to the scam by a reader, we parked our car on Thursday in a bay where the parking- warning sign is missing.

There is a thin 10ft- high black kerbside pole —but without the sign, wardens CANNOT legally issue tickets to any vehicle there.