| Topic: | Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:More ANPR cameras to be installed LTN 30 is a problem | |
| Posted by: | Mark Evans | |
| Date/Time: | 23/01/21 09:17:00 |
| 'We are seriously in a Mini Communist State.' Hmm... Firstly, I don't think it is correct to say that these changes are being driven by the demands of a few cyclists. They don't really specifically benefit cyclists and, if your normal route is one onto which traffic is being displaced, the LTNs are bad news. Don't fall into the trap of thinking that active travel warriors who are particularly vocal on social media speak for all people who cycle. The minority who are in favour of these schemes are more likely to be people whose road has been made quieter by traffic being diverted into somebody else's. Secondly, it needs to be remembered that this is not a policy that originated with London Borough of Ealing. The LTNs are primarily the brainchild of Andrew Gilligan who is the transport advisor to the Prime Minister. They are the only game in town in terms of getting funding and the council would have to find savings from elsewhere if it didn't bid for funding for projects the nature of which are determined by central government. The bigger question in my view is how deliberate is the transformation of these schemes into what were meant to be temporary trials with no fixed infrastructure into ones with expensive camera enforcement. The capital expenditure on these cameras has ultimately been provided by central government and represents an effective endorsement of this change of policy. The report on this site about the PCN revenue brought in so far by these schemes shows starkly just how much money will be raised. This will fill a substantial hole in the council's coffers. Central government appear to be conniving in this and they will be delighted that the pressure to provide proper funding to councils will be reduced and they will be getting all the blame for what is happening. Until the Conservatives start taking some of the heat for what is happening here, there is little chance of a policy reversal. |