The Following Letter has been sent out to Various Members of The taxi Trade.
It might be interesting to get readers comments on this situation i.e. are you for or against this proposal and for what reasons!
ADVISORY PANEL HEARING RE PROPOSED TRAFFIC REGULATION ORDER (PROPOSED CITY CENTRE CONTROLLED PARKING ZONE)
DATE: 11 DECEMBER 2008
YOU ARE INVITED TO ATTEND AT THE CIVIC CENTRE AT: 1.00 PM
Further to your representations to the above proposed TRO, arrangements are being made for the Traffic Regulation Advisory Panel to hear your verbal representation on the above date at the time referred to in a Committee Room, Civic Centre, Newcastle upon Tyne. The Panel will form an Advisory Committee whose recommendations will need to be considered by the Assistant General Manager, Technical Services before he makes a final decision. Your written representations will be circulated to the Advisory Panel. You are encouraged to attend the hearing to go over your case and answer any questions from the Advisory Panel. Alternatively, a group making representations may appoint a spokesperson from amongst themselves to put forward their representations. You are asked to wait in the Committee Lounge on the 1st floor in the Civic Centre until called.
I hope these arrangements are convenient for you. I would be grateful if you could let me know whether you intend to attend the hearing to put your case in person, or if you will not be attending, whether you have elected to rely on your written representations. A form is enclosed for you to return to me to indicate whether you intend to attend the hearing. Alternatively, you may telephone me on the above number or e-mail me at traffic.notices@newcastle.gov.uk.
I enclose for your information, a copy of “Notes of Guidance on a Hearing by the Council’s Advisory Panel”.
A copy of the Council’s written case will be sent to you before the hearing.
I wish to stress that the Panel is independent of the Assistant General Manager, Technical Services and that hearings are conducted in as informal an atmosphere as possible. Members of the Panel are therefore very concerned that persons who have made representations have confidence that they will receive a fair hearing from an impartial Panel.
The decision of the Advisory Panel will form a recommendation for the Assistant General Manager, Technical Services. The recommendation will be considered by the Assistant General Manager, Technical Services before he makes a decision. You will then be provided with the recommendation of the Advisory Panel and the decision of the Assistant General Manager, Technical Services. If the Assistant General Manager, Technical Services makes a decision contrary to the advice of the Panel, the reasons for this will be communicated to you.
A translation facility is available for those objectors whose first language is not English or who feel that they may have communication difficulties in putting their case to the Panel.
Should you wish the services of a translator in the language of your choice to attend the Panel with you, please let me know and I will make the necessary arrangements.
Please note that whilst there is some public parking and spaces for disabled badge holders in the car park adjacent to the Civic Centre, this is limited and a space cannot be guaranteed. However, if you are a disabled persons badge holder and require a parking space please let me know.
Should you have any further questions or you require any additional information or have any special requirements please do not hesitate to contact me.
Yours sincerely
Brian McNally
Democratic Services
It used to be that there were yellow lines in places where you were obstructing traffic flow and if you parked on them you got fined which is fair enough. It was a criminal offence after all and they were there for a reason.
But in 1991 a new act of parliament gave local councils the power to decriminalise parking enforcement in their local area and collect the revenue for themselves.
In effect parking penalties changed from fines for crimes to another stealth tax all over the country.
People were so used to parking being illegal that they didn’t realise the change had happened as everywhere in the UK started to get covered with yellow lines.
In my view councils should be putting lines down to manage the traffic and reduce accidents. But instead they are drawing extra ones to make money.
A bit like speed cameras but the big difference I do mind is that if you get caught speeding as with any other crime you get a fair trial before an independent court. If you want to argue with a parking ticket your first port of call is the Council who issued it and after that a body called NPAS which appears to be funded by Manchester Council.
It’s a bit like your employer paying for the Judge at your employment tribunal against them, all wrong!
The Traffic Management Team are responsible for allocating taxi ranks within the City.
Phone: 0191 277 8965.
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