Bikers dispute £1 parking fee in Westminster
July 19, 2010
Posted by:Maria Taibi
Last Friday Westminster Council won a landmark legal battle over charging motorcyclists to park in the street. The ruling may have wide reaching implications, with other boroughs now also likely to consider charging motorcyclists to park. Warren Djanogly of No to Motorbike Parking fees claimed that the fees were imposed simply to raise revenue but the judge rejected this claim. Lord Justice Pitchford said the charge was introduced "to improve on street parking availability for motorcyclists in order to meet actual and anticipated increased demand. The existence of that need cannot be seriously challenged. The evidence was overwhelming." Motorcyclists are charged to use any dedicated on street bay. The council says it will hold the charge at £1 a day for three years. Riders can park free in its car parks.