Tube Lines was part of the Public Private Partnership, imposed by Gordon Brown. The danger now is that the focus on impending cuts could cause real problems for our transport system.

First, rail commuters could face huge fare increases. Train operators are presently allowed to increase fares annually by inflation plus one per cent; Transport Secretary Philip Hammond has now refused to rule out scrapping the formula.

Meanwhile the schedule for Tube upgrades remains uncertain, with the programme for upgrading the Jubilee and Piccadilly lines having slipped badly already.

Then there is the chaos caused by roadworks. Central London faces roadworks this summer on an unprecedented scale. The Mayor protests that he cannot stop roadworks organised by the boroughs, and has called for powers to charge utility companies “lane rental”. The Tories promised such powers during the election campaign. But it has emerged that it will not be until late 2011 at the earliest before City Hall gets them. Increased fines for over-runs are coming sooner than that. But the Mayor and ministers misunderstand that we need far more urgent action to tackle the gridlock on the capital’s streets.

Public transport passengers in London could face a further hike in fares next year due to inflation. Transport for London told the London Assembly’s budget and performance committee that the rate of inflation was affecting its costs and some of that may have to be passed on to passengers next year.

It is likely TfL will recommend that London Mayor Boris Johnson raises fares by two per cent on top of inflation, which would mean a seven per cent increase based on current estimates.

Fares already increased by an average of 12.7 per cent on buses and 3.9 per cent on the Tube and DLR in January of this year.

John Biggs, who chairs the committee, said: “Londoners have already been hit by a hike in fares this year, particularly bus passengers, who bore the brunt of the rises. We are looking at how the existing fare increases have already affected passengers in the capital and we will also assess whether further rises on the scale suggested today by Transport for London can really be justified.”

Jo de Bank of London TravelWatch said: “We know there is a funding gap but passengers must not be priced out of public transport. People will be left stranded if they cannot afford to travel, particularly on buses, which people on lower incomes tend to use.

Safety risks have been denied by Transport for London during this week’s planned tube strike after London Underground says it will operate a full service across the whole of the network, including Jubilee, Piccadilly and Northern lines maintained by Tube Lines, throughout the duration of the strike. All stations will also remain open.

Tube Lines workers are set to go on strike from 7pm on Wednesday after talks between the company and the RMT union broke down.

The union claims the public will be at risk if under-qualified staff members are put in charge of trains during the industrial action.

TfL has assured the public there will be “no compromise” on safety standards and emergency teams were in place in case there is a problem on the network.

A TfL spokesperson said: “Safety is London Underground’s top priority and we would never run trains if it was not safe to do so.

“Should the action go ahead, we do not anticipate any significant impact to Tube services and London Underground intends to operate a full service on all Lines.”

But RMT general secretary Bob Crow said it was clear the strike would have a “major impact”.

He added: “There’s a real danger that tube officials will take serious risks with safety to try and run trains.

“We welcome the intervention of our colleagues from the Fire Brigades Union to try and stop that from happening. No one should underestimate the safety-critical role of the tube’s maintenance and emergency response crews.”

Contingency measures have been put in place in case the strike does happen, with extra Thames Clipper services dedicated to Canary Wharf and extra bike parking facilities in Cabot Square.

]]> http://www.247parking.com/news/tube-to-run-in-full-during-rmt-strike-causes-safety-fears.html/feed 0 http://www.247parking.com/news/commuters-threatened-with-tube-strikes.html http://www.247parking.com/news/commuters-threatened-with-tube-strikes.html#comments Thu, 17 Jun 2010 14:16:47 +0000 Rachel http://www.247parking.com/news/?p=796

Staff on London’s Docklands Light Railway (DLR) are to strike over pay and working conditions,

Carrying commuters to and from the Canary Wharf financial sector in the east of the city, the DLR will see strikes occur for three days from Wednesday, June 23. This walk out by platform and station staff will coincide with a planned strike by maintenance workers at contractor Tube Lines on the Jubilee, Northern and Piccadilly underground lines.

“Our members on the Docklands Light Railway have shown once again that they will not be bullied by management in to taking on more work and more responsibility without being properly compensated by the company,” RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said in a statement.

On Thursday, the RMT announced that workers on Tubes Lines would carry out two 48-hour strikes over pay, jobs and working conditions.

The strikes, from Wednesday, June 23, and Wednesday, July 14, will likely have a knock-on effect on all the system, it added.

Eight out of London’s 33 borough authorities have introduced CO2-based parking plans where residents are charged up to three times more for a parking permit if they have a bigger-engined car, in many cases doubling the cost of a resident’s parking permit.

The first increase of this kind was seen in Richmond Borough Council, in affluent south-west London, where overnight the cost of parking – except for those with driveways – went from a maximum of £100 to £300, or a staggering £450 for a second vehicle.

Paul Watters, head of AA’s transport policy comments “There could be worse to come; councils are also keenly monitoring Richmond’s latest wheeze – an electronic card parking scheme that also hits ‘gas guzzlers’. It encourages drivers to register their cars online and after providing their cars CO2 details, they receive a pre-pay card which can be topped up and swiped at street and car parking ticket machines in the borough.

Cars with emissions between 121g/km and 180g/km, including some Ford Focuses, pay 25 per cent less than base rates. But owners of cars emitting more than 181g/km of CO2, such as some Ford Mondeos and many 4×4’s, must pay 25 per cent above standard rates. It is estimated that the move could net the council an extra £800,000 a year.”

Julia Callan, MD at 24 7 Parking says “It is a blatant attempt to squeeze even more cash from London’s motorists. It is unacceptable to penalise a vehicle on its emissions when the car is switched off.”

]]> http://www.247parking.com/news/councils-to-hike-up-resident-parking-prices-for-the-most-polluting-cars.html/feed 0 http://www.247parking.com/news/proposed-changes-to-the-london-congestion-charge.html http://www.247parking.com/news/proposed-changes-to-the-london-congestion-charge.html#comments Mon, 07 Jun 2010 08:46:57 +0000 Rachel http://www.247parking.com/news/?p=790

Boris Johnson’s plans to scrap the western extension of the congestion charge, also include raising the current congestion charge from £8 to £10 and from £10 to £12 if paid the next working day.

The congestion charge was first introduced in February 2003 at £5 a day, meaning it has doubled in just seven years.

The mayor has also proposed a new account paying system to allow drivers to avoid penalty charge notices and make paying the congestion charge easier and more convenient. Customers would need a credit card or debit card and to pay a £10 registration charge for each vehicle on the account. Auto-pay customers would also be eligible for a daily charge of £9.

Julia Callan, MD at 24 7 Parking comments “ Many Londoners may well question whether increasing the congestion charge to £10 represents value for money. We have parking both inside and outside the congestion charge zone so whether this increase matter to you or not we have parking to suit your needs.”

As animal lovers, we at 247 Parking cannot condone leaving animals cooped up in parked cars to deter opportunists from snatching your sat nav or your stereo. As car owners we can’t recommend it because…well let’s just say that cleaning the interior could be a tad unpleasant.
Some common sense is needed. Remove everything from your car, even coats, and stick it all in the boot. Install a car alarm. Register with Immobilise (www.immobilise.com) the free register of possession ownership details and display a sticker on your windscreen. Get a steering wheel lock. But above all else, park somewhere safe.

We at 247 Parking have been providing safe, secure and affordable parking in Central London and nationwide for nearly eight years. We can find you space in car parks or in safe residential and commercial zones where your vehicle will be safe.

“It’s mad to risk your car or its contents by parking at random in an area you don’t know. We feel that by taking responsibility for our own cars and their contents, we benefit other drivers.

Because if there are no easy pickings for car thieves then they’ll soon give up,” says 247 Parking MD Julia Callan. “As anyone who has had their car broken into will tell you, the hassle of dealing with police,  insurance and repairs far outweighs the inconvenience of spending a few moments to hide your property and secure your vehicle. And the cost of a secure block-booked parking space far outweighs increased insurance premiums.”

About 24 7 Parking:
Established in 2002, 24 7 Parking are experts in finding car parking in London and across the UK. Whether clients are looking for a months’ parking or a years’ parking, 24 7 Parking will find the most convenient and cost effective options.

Contact details:
24 7 Parking Limited,
309 Linen Hall,
162-168 Regent Street,
London
W1B 5TD
Tel: 020 7183 7247
Email: info@247parking.com

The proposed abolition of the western extension of the congestion charge has been outlined by Boris Johnson, the mayor of London, in a formal 10-week public consultation which will close on August 2.

The Conservative mayor also proposes the introduction of a “greener vehicle discount” that would exempt cars that emit 100g/km of CO2 or less and meet the “Euro V” standard for air quality, in an attempt to encourage much cleaner and more carbon efficient cars. This would be reviewed in three years to ensure that the congestion charge and environmental benefits of the scheme are being maintained.

A review of the western extension was first promised during the mayoral election in 2008. Transport for London predicts a revenue loss of £55m, and an increase in congestion and air pollutants in the west London area.

On traffic and congestion, Tfl also maintains that a number of measures will minimise problems, such as accelerated installation of computer-optimised traffic signals, the London roadworks permit scheme and continued workplace and school travel planning.

Johnson said “West London never wanted the western extension and it is right that residents there can now tell us whether this Christmas should see the end of it. The central zone still plays a useful role but it has to be administered more fairly and straightforwardly, which is why I’m delighted the proposals include changes that should mean no one need ever be fined again.”

Julia Callan, MD at 24 7 Parking comments “The mayor is right to purpose removing the western extension as the majority of residents and businesses were originally opposed to it.”

]]> http://www.247parking.com/news/plans-unveiled-to-scrap-western-extension-of-the-congestion-charge.html/feed 0 http://www.247parking.com/news/commuter-survey.html http://www.247parking.com/news/commuter-survey.html#comments Wed, 26 May 2010 15:47:18 +0000 Rachel http://www.247parking.com/news/?p=711 While some UK local councils are raking in almost £7 million a year from parking tickets, hard-pressed business people commuting into Central London are paying around £500 on average every year in fines – and are now factoring this into their operating costs.

A survey of commuters carried out by the 247 Parking website found that people driving into central London not only have to pay the Congestion Charge but are increasingly forced to park illegally because of the sheer lack of street parking in central London. Parking tickets and wheel clamps for many have become an occupational hazard.

One London estate agent found herself in the unfortunate situation of getting six parking tickets in one day.

“I have to use the car for my work, showing clients around properties. Public transport just isn’t an option. The really annoying thing is that while I knew that I was parking in a risky place when I got the first ticket, every other time I was pretty sure I was parking legally. The final ticket I got after I had left the car for literally under five minutes,” says independent Estate Agent Monica Jenkins, 36, from Morden.

Some are even writing off the costs of parking tickets into their operating costs.

“Last year I paid around £700 in fines. I travel into Hammersmith regularly and parking is almost impossible. I’m afraid that I just accept parking fines as part of the cost of doing business in London,” says New Media Consultant Justin Webb, 36, of Maningtree.

With long-running engineering works set to affect the Northern Line, coupled with ongoing problems with commuter rail services, many people feel that they have no option but to drive into London. Strikes planned for February 5 and 14 will see a significant increase in road traffic into Central London.

A more affordable alternative to just living with parking tickets, however, is provided by 247 Parking. For over eight years 247 Parking has offered commuters and visitors affordable secure parking in or close to their destination.Â

“Some business travellers think that parking is too expensive and too difficult to arrange and are therefore prepared to risk getting parking tickets,” says 247 Parking MD Julia Callan. “We offer a really easy to use and cheap service that can save drivers a lot of grief as well as a lot of money.”

The survey of 1215 respondents breaks down as follows:

1. Have you parked illegally in London in the past 6 months?

Yes      76 per cent

No      24 per cent

2. How many tickets have you had in the past six months?

None     11 per cent

One     29 per cent

Under five    54 per cent

Five to 10    4 per cent

More than 10    2 per cent

3. Have you successfully contested a parking ticket in the past year?

Yes     13 per cent

No     87 per cent

4. How often do you take your car into central London?

Never     11 per cent

Once a year    13 per cent

Once a year to once a month 26 per cent

Once a month to once a week 28 per cent

Every day    22 per cent

5. How much did you pay in parking fines last year?

£0     12 per cent

Less than £50   9 per cent

£50 – £100    11 per cent

£100 – £400    23 per cent

£400 – £500    23 per cent

£500 – £700    21 per cent

Over £700    1 per cent

About 24 7 Parking:
Established in 2002, 24 7 Parking are experts in finding car parking in London and across the UK. Whether clients are looking for a months’ parking or a years’ parking, 24 7 Parking will find the most convenient and cost effective options.
Contact details:

24 7 Parking Limited,
309 Linen Hall,
162-168 Regent Street,
London
W1B 5TD
Tel: 020 7183 7247
Email: info@247parking.com

247 Parking unconditionally supports the enlightened decision of Camden Council to pay back around £134,000 in parking fines collected from drivers who parked on single yellow lines on Good Friday and Easter Monday.

Traditionally motorists have been allowed to park on single yellow lines in Camden during Bank Holidays. This year, Camden Council changed its policy at the last minute, making only a small posting on the council’s website to inform drivers of the policy change. Traffic Wardens then dished out an impressive 1,119 fines on Good Friday and Easter Monday, giving rise to a deluge of complaints.

The council claimed that they were merely enforcing normal traffic regulations and that it was a discretionary gesture of goodwill not to issue parking tickets to cars parked on single yellow lines on Good Friday and Bank Holiday Monday.

“It was an outrageous grab for cash, but thankfully they’ve done the right thing and agreed to pay everyone back,” says 247 Parking MD Julia Callan. “And we hear that they will not be enforcing single yellow line restrictions for the Bank Holiday on May 3.”

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