The following letter was received by Mr.Ian Shanks,who has kindly given his permission to publish it here,in reply to his objections to the proposed parking policy. The same letter was no doubt received by all other objectors.
Ian Poll, Head of Democratic Services
Chief Executive’s Office
Civic Centre, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE99 2BN
Tel: 0191 211 5159. Fax: 0191 211 4942
E-Mail – ian.poll@newcastle.gov.uk
www.newcastle.gov.uk
Our Ref: BMcN/P44/759
This matter is being dealt with by Brian McNally on (0191) 211 5183
8 January 2009
ian.shanks@btconnect.com
Dear Mr Shanks
TMA – PROPOSED CITY CENTRE CONTROLLED PARKING ZONE – RECOMMENDATION OF TRAFFIC REGULATION ADVISORY PANEL
I refer to the Advisory Panel hearing in respect of your objections with regard to the following proposed City Centre Controlled Parking Zone.
The Panel gave careful consideration to all of the information before them which include your written representations and the verbal presentation given at the Hearing. They concluded that on balance, the objections should be overruled and the Legal Order made. The reasons for this decision were:-
1. That the expeditious, convenient and safe movement of vehicular and other traffic would on balance be enhanced by the Order
2. The proposals would preserve and improve the amenities of the area, enhancing the overall quality of the environment of this central part of the City.
3. The proposals were not unduly affect of the servicing of local businesses and premises
4. The provision of suitable and adequate parking in the area would not be affected by the Order.
In considering the aforementioned proposals, the Panel noted the offer for the officer present to meet with Ms Mason, one of the objectors, regarding her concerns regarding parking near her home.
The Panel also noted the concerns of the taxi trade, both from the written representations of yourself and from the verbal representations made by Mr Sharif (UITA) and considered that the proposed meeting with the taxi trade representatives, regarding their concerns should be held as soon as possible.
The recommendations of the Panel were subsequently ratified by the Group Manager, Traffic and Project Management, including the recommendations of the Panel concerning further consultations.
Arrangements will now be made for the restrictions to be brought into effect, and I will let you know the expected operative date in due course.
Thank you for your time and interest in this matter.
Yours sincerely
Brian McNally
Democratic Services
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
The above letter does not surprise me in the slightest,however if the council uses its common sence,(i doubt it will but we can but live in hope) the answer is easy to sort out.
I am aware that in parts of London,Southampton,Whitby and Scarborough,the councils have put `double yellows` through all the taxi ranks,loading bays,bus stops etc,with a plate on an ajacent pole,excempting the stated vehicles.
I would have said…problem solved,except for 1 minor technical problem…certain operators currently operating in Newcastle,in a way as to make Newcastle their main core of business,do not operate under a locally issued license,as per the `1847 Public Carriage Act,and the Town and Police Misselaneous Provisions Act` thereby being unable to use what ever ranking spaces are available.
Before anyone shouts about not enough ranks anyway,I know that,…..but what space IS there,cannot legally be used by these `out of area cowboys` anyway. If they are using the ranks(as such) then Mr Plod or the Council `bluebottles` could in theory ticket them.
This is what our esteemed Mr Shanks dont like.
After all Ian,if York City council decide to issue 500 tickets a day to taxis to buy them coffees,the drivers in York probably wouldnt like it much,BUT personally I dont give a shit….I dont have a license to work in York….consequentally NOT MY PROBLEM or FIGHT.
You dont have 400+ licenses to work in Newcastle,you only have 4 or 5 `hack plates in Town`,so why are you so worried.
Your cars are licensed to work in `Berwick,Prudhoe,Consett,Morpeth,Gateshead,so take you cars to where the license is issued to use,as far as I know,what Newcastle council does does not effect those areas anyway.
Incidentally,Mr Shanks,I know you claim to be helping the Town trade too by these objections,BUT,were all big boys and girls now too so I think you can leave matters regarding OUR jobs and livlihoods to US and the UITA to negociate,not act as a `big brother` for us.
Anyway…the over worked,armchair enforcement brigade in Town are entitled to their `tea breaks` every 10 minutes,we must make sure they dont run out of teabags,they will need all this extra revenue raised from all those tickets to buy the teabags,it could be a `human rights violation Mr Shanks,to attempt to deny them of that revenue via your objections,thereby creating an unacceptable shortage of teabags at both the Civic Centre and Newington Rd…..think about that Ian…..would you want that responsibility on your hands.
how many plates do you own
@kenny, I’ve got a cupboard full! Why are you hungry?
@kenny, just to answer your question,I don`t own a plate,and neither do you or any other proprietor/operator.
If you read your paperwork properly,it clearly says that the `plate` shall remain the property of which ever council issued it.
The plate on my cab is therefore rented by the operator from the council,on a yearly basis,so,if the operator is operating,illegelly or outside the conditions of the license,the council are fully justified in revolking the plate.
Mind,I do own a set or china dinner plates,in case you are asking about those….they are all white with a fine blue line around the edge.
@john dodds, once again john well said…
… i would just like to point out that warnings were giving to newcastle hackney drivers and then tickets issued by the police for overflowing the rank in the market on friday night, we ranked up along mosley street. i dont know how many were giving tickets as the officer involved was just writing details of vehicles down or shifting them on…
… what annoyed me was that after the newcastle hacks got the message and continued to do laps of mosley street then grey street to try an get on the rank, was that 4 privet hire from various firms decided to park there and create there own rank, the police did didly squat about this! dont they relise they are playing into these guys hands? or maybe they do and just dont care!
also we are up to around 4 guys in the market who now have tickets for parking on the big market rank before 6.30, and no leeway has been giving in recinding the tickets, although the wardens did walk past yesterday without saying anything, but what about the mini that causes havoc on highbridge, i belive it’s only moved once since november!
Pram involved in Cramlington hit-and-run
Posted by The Journal on Jan 27, 09 12:52 PM in News
Police in Cramlington are appealing for witnesses after a taxi hit a pram and sped off.
The dark blue Mercedes Vito hit the buggy carrying a 15-month-old boy as it was being pushed by the child’s father on a zebra crossing.
The pram slid across the road, outside Sainsbury’s in Cramlington.
Just Wondered if anybody may reconise this vehicle?.