Congestion charge for warwick...

[chillitt]

This isn't going to be too well reasoned- I am incandescant!!!!

Not happy with making chaos with the parking in Warwick, and messing about with the through traffic, the County council want to bring congestion charging to Warwick!!! ITS INSANITY!!! If the charges come, I am going. Simple as that. What planet are the County council on, that they would even consider it? AAAAARRRRRRGGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!

[optrex]

I take it you dont like the idea then

[chillitt]

Not a fan, no..... Also, they are starting a scheme for the shops to reinburse people for the roadside parking costs.. Genius. We aren't allowed to park there, and we have to pay other people to park outside our shops. You couldn't make it up.

[optrex]

It sounds like your council has a very warped idea of how to run things.

[chillitt]

Currently, I am considering banning all council employees form my shop. Obviously thats office staff only- got nothing against people who work for a living

[cathidaw]

I am so glad I dont have a shop any more.

I used to get so shirty at so many things expected from traders in our town.
One example---
Every year we have a Lord Mayors ball--a charity do at something like £40 a go, and every year shopkeepers were 'requested' to contribute prizes for their tombola and raffles.
I found out that 40 or 50 tickets were given ,free of charge to many of the bigwigs on the council---including the Mayor and his family--people who could readily afford one--I refused-vehemently- by letter.
I did have a letter back saying they were 'sorry I could not afford it, and it was not intended to sound compulsory', ---quite missing my point ,deliberately I am sure.
Another time Iwas asked to contribute at a 'very reduced cost' £50 to have flower baskets on the lamp post outside the shop for their entry into Britain in Bloom, which they would water at the end of every day. I refused. However they did put one up and every year afterwards, and at Christmas, even though each year I ingnored their letters. I never had to pay, but my goodness what a mess they made watering. Each morning we had to sweep up flower heads and debris, and wash the streaky windows.
It was not deliberate, but at 5.30 the workmen wanted to go home and didn't take much care. I must say though that they were very attractive and must have cost a fortune.
Local councils----jokers

[Shizara]

Always dreaming up new ways to part people from their money.

[Toad]

Chillitt, calm down - it won't happen, it's just some stupid (newly elected) politico trying to make the front pages of the local paper (which she did) and there is no chance of it ging ahead in the forseeable future.
Much more worrying is what will happen in September when all the 'part-time' council workers return to Shire hall and the schools go back. Then the new council money-making parking scheme will really show us the sort of trade downturn that we will have to cope with. We could all be closed long before a congestion charge comes in!!

[chillitt]

I know its most unlikely that the congestion charge will ever come to warwick, But this sounds like another one of those 'tell em something truly awful is going to happen, then they will be sooo grateful when we only do em over a little bit' ideas. Any council (or councillor)that would even consider this should be declared unfit for office.
The Decriminalised parking is probably the ' getting done over a little bit' part of the plan. I hope no one comes into my shop wanting their parking paid for because thats as silly an idea as the congestion charge.

( I have calmed down, but there's only so calm I can get, when it might well lead to me being out of a job )

[Toad]

From a traders point of view it is really important that you keep a day-by-day comparison of takings this year and in previous years. If, as we all suspect, takings fall we may well have a case for compensation from the local council and would almost certainly be due a rebate on our UBR.
After long, long consultation (these council workers are soooooooooo slow) this decrim is going to happen. Now we have to bite the bullet and fight back if they ruin our businesses.
Just as a footnote - it is well known that most of the illegal parking around the town is by traders! who then moan when their customers can't park and business is bad. In that respect we might actually gain some potential customers.