‘Camden proposals are draconian, particularly for motorcyclists who live and work in the borough for whom charges would be increased from zero to £565 a year’

• A £600-A-YEAR charge by the council to own a motorcycle in the borough?

Yes, that appears to be the latest proposal from Cllr Adam Harrison, its cabinet member for a sustainable Camden.

Three years ago his “great idea” was to charge nearly £500, but this was quietly dropped after a 1,500-person petition and an effective campaign by Unison and motorcycling representative groups.

It just did not make any sense; owners of a basic mode of transport with low emissions, used by many people who cannot afford a car, found themselves liable for a massive annual fee.

For Camden residents also working elsewhere in the borough Cllr Harrison suggested a daily charge amounting to nearly £500 when the current charges were, and are, zero.

When the 2020 plans were sensibly dropped, you might think of it as a result of “proper consultation” where a suggestion is rejected by the people, it is then withdrawn. But Cllr Harrison is not a man to be defeated by the popular will.

Look at any number of larger, expensive and ugly road schemes, such as Prince of Wales Road, Haverstock Hill (and currently a stupid waste of money in Adeline Place, Bloomsbury). They have been, and still are, being forced through.

As someone who was involved in Covent Garden in the 1970s, where a Labour Greater London Council introduced the concept of real consultation, I find this cynical employment of “consultation techniques” to push schemes through by Labour Camden unacceptable.

I have found out about the latest proposals by chance. No leaflet has dropped through my door. There are no notices at motorcycle parking bays as there were throughout the borough three years ago.

But I’m sure no one could accuse Camden of trying to sneak this through, or only doing it for the money…

Although Cllr Harrison and Camden Council are coy about the actual figures, the proposal appears to be for a £146 resident parking permit plus £419 for a “business permit” – £565 per annum.

And this is all against a background of anarchy on the roads (and pavements) for other two-wheeled motorised transport – e-bikes and e-scooters – where the owners have to pay nothing for insurance and road tax while motorcyclists have to pay heavily for both and are answerable to the law.

This was all pointed out in the last campaign, a campaign which was won. But Cllr Harrison’s “big gun” is once again directed at the poor motor biker.

There is a need to protest again. Contact your councillor, contact your union, contact Save London Motorcycling and respond to Camden’s consultation by November 5.

The only other borough in London to charge for motorbike parking is Westminster City Council; the Camden proposals are draconian, particularly for motorcyclists who live and work in the borough for whom charges would be increased from zero to £565 a year.

BRIAN LAKE
Healey Street, NW1