Parking in City of London
Discussion
Not sure how many of you on here work in London, in the City area, but you may be interested to know that signs have recently been put up at Swan Lane car park - stating that the whole car park will be closed on August 31st 2006.
For those that know the city, this car park is one of the only places where you can guarantee a space, and also (pretty much) guarantee that the bike won't be knocked over, scratched by people trying to fit 15 bikes into 10 spaces etc in the area.
From looking at the London parking website, the next closest place for a public, covered, monitored car park is approx 30 mins walk away.
A colleague of mine has contacted the council about this, and the person they spoke to was of the opinion that there is plenty of parking available in London, so it should not be a problem! How they came to this conclusion I have no idea.
If this affects you, then please take the time to write to the relevant people - TFL, MP, Mayor etc etc.
Seems strange that with congestion on public transport, trying to keep cars off roads with congestion charges etc, that they would want to force people away from using motorbikes, that as we all know allows traffic to keep moving.
Thanks
For those that know the city, this car park is one of the only places where you can guarantee a space, and also (pretty much) guarantee that the bike won't be knocked over, scratched by people trying to fit 15 bikes into 10 spaces etc in the area.
From looking at the London parking website, the next closest place for a public, covered, monitored car park is approx 30 mins walk away.
A colleague of mine has contacted the council about this, and the person they spoke to was of the opinion that there is plenty of parking available in London, so it should not be a problem! How they came to this conclusion I have no idea.
If this affects you, then please take the time to write to the relevant people - TFL, MP, Mayor etc etc.
Seems strange that with congestion on public transport, trying to keep cars off roads with congestion charges etc, that they would want to force people away from using motorbikes, that as we all know allows traffic to keep moving.
Thanks
Fats25 said:
Seems strange that with congestion on public transport, trying to keep cars off roads with congestion charges etc, that they would want to force people away from using motorbikes, that as we all know allows traffic to keep moving.
You are confusing the current decision making processes with "joined up thinking"!
The intention is not to make traffic flow or to get people to their destination quickly and efficiently but to charge as many people as much as possible. If you remove parking spaces for bikes then more will park illegally thus more fines will be issued.
Cynical or realistic??? 
Just seen this on another Forum - a bit more details than my original post!
Have you noticed that Swan Lane car Park will be permanently closed with effect from 7pm on the 31st August 2006?
The City of London have no plans to replace their largest car park, or offer extra parking facilities for Motorbikes.
This means that other local facilities will be over crowded and the chances of getting a parking space anywhere within the city of London will be minimal.
If this affects you then like me you are no doubt outraged by this turn of events and the lack of consideration shown for motorcyclists by the City of London.
The number of spaces for bikes has been systematically reduced (eg the motorbike spaces which have been eliminated recently in at least two places near to Monument). I have tried parking my bike in various locations around the City but it is only in the Swan Street car park that the bike is safe and secure, and where it can be parked with relative ease. I know from experience that all the on-street parking in the vicinity of where I work (Gracechurch Street) is full by 8.00 am.
If this affects you take 5 minutes of your time to e-mail you displeasure to the following e-mail address.
car.parks@cityoflondon.gov.uk
If they can't keep Swan Lane open then they should provide new and extra bays in the city. If you know of any others that use Swan Lane or surrounding areas (as these will become overcrowded), then please pass on the e-mail address above and get them to register their displeasure. We can't all fit on the bus.
Have you noticed that Swan Lane car Park will be permanently closed with effect from 7pm on the 31st August 2006?
The City of London have no plans to replace their largest car park, or offer extra parking facilities for Motorbikes.
This means that other local facilities will be over crowded and the chances of getting a parking space anywhere within the city of London will be minimal.
If this affects you then like me you are no doubt outraged by this turn of events and the lack of consideration shown for motorcyclists by the City of London.
The number of spaces for bikes has been systematically reduced (eg the motorbike spaces which have been eliminated recently in at least two places near to Monument). I have tried parking my bike in various locations around the City but it is only in the Swan Street car park that the bike is safe and secure, and where it can be parked with relative ease. I know from experience that all the on-street parking in the vicinity of where I work (Gracechurch Street) is full by 8.00 am.
If this affects you take 5 minutes of your time to e-mail you displeasure to the following e-mail address.
car.parks@cityoflondon.gov.uk
If they can't keep Swan Lane open then they should provide new and extra bays in the city. If you know of any others that use Swan Lane or surrounding areas (as these will become overcrowded), then please pass on the e-mail address above and get them to register their displeasure. We can't all fit on the bus.
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