Open letter to councillors,

• I AM writing to ask where you stand on the current Camden Council proposals for parking, and especially the proposals for motorcycles.

I am a resident of Camden and have lived in the borough for 45 years. My business is bookselling in Bloomsbury. Like most people I use various forms of transport, bus, Underground, car, van, but, most days, a motorcycle.

The last is the easiest and most flexible way of travelling between work and business, and for visiting customers. I am a supporter of the encouragement of electric vehicles but expect this to be gradual and reasonable, allowing a period for residents and businesses to replace their means of transport over a number of years.

Currently, as in every other London borough except Westminster, there are no charges for parking motorcycles. There is a good reason for that: motorcycles are the means of transport usually used by the less wealthy.

They are cheaper to buy, run and take up much less space than a car. They are much less polluting, and up to now have been encouraged as a better way to get around London.

The current proposals by the council for motorcycle parking are draconian. For someone in my position who lives in the borough and works elsewhere in the borough, the cost per annum will be up to £600 for both resident and business permits, where the current cost is zero.

The proposals are for a resident’s parking charge the same as for a car taking six times the road space or a van taking 10 times the road space.

Is this proposal fair and reasonable? Do you support it?

I look forward to receiving your replies.

BRIAN LAKE, NW1