TECHNICAL FOCUS
Kelvin Reynolds, technical
services director, introduces this month’s Technical Focus
I recently attended the Local Authority Special Interest Group (LASIG) meeting in Richmond, and was heartened to see a number of new attendees. LASIG is relevant to all local authorities, and the presentations by Department for Transport on the emerging CPE Toolkit and functioning of the Traffi c Enforcement Centre demonstrated this in spades. The next meeting will see presentations from the Local Government Association and also the DVLA. To all local authorities I say: see you in Oxford in July! To make the most of this engagement with external stakeholders, the BPA has set about rationalising the many LASIG task groups, which we shall now be referring to as ‘focus groups’, to ensure that we use these volunteers effectively to further the cause. Speaking of which, from time to time we run a number of surveys, mainly web-based, to gauge the lie of the land or gather evidence for a specifi c lobbying campaign, only to be underwhelmed by the response. Recent polls have met with a less than fi ve per cent response rate. This is very disappointing and makes it harder for us to speak knowingly about your views – it is your Association and we speak on your behalf. When we ask questions of you, we really do need to know the answers. To end on a more positive note, as you read this we may have a better understanding about the likely shape of the government nationally and locally for the next three to fi ve years. Enjoy the springtime.
Parking should
be at the heart of government
economic policy, says the BPA.
Taking action… now
T e fi nal version of the Parking Summit Action Plan has now been circulated and published via the website (www.
parkingforum.co.uk). A number of actions are already well underway, with further discussion and projects to be undertaken by forum members at forthcoming meetings. All actions now have
a deadline for delivery and attendees of the Parking Summit, where the original Seven Point Plan was developed,
SIGNS GET FOCUSED
The BPA Traffi c Signs Task Group and the DfT met on the 22 April and
discussed the following matters: ● Regulatory traffi c sign categories
and future TRO requirements; ● A programme for the implementation
of change; ● Consideration of new consultation procedures for TRO and use of regulatory
signs; and ● Possible policy paper – for wider circulation.
The outcome of this
meeting will be fed back to the DfT Traffi c Signs Review Steering Group. Kelvin Reynolds continues to contribute to the IHE Traffi c Signs Group. Recently, LASIG has formed a Traffi c Signs Focus Group to assist in the formulation of BPA ideas and views on traffi c signs.
The discussion board is still open on the BPA website where you can post your thoughts about the traffi c signs review.
will also be updated on progress with a letter from BPA chief executive Patrick Troy. For a complete update
on the Action Plan, take a look at the article on page 14 in this issue. T e next meeting
is scheduled for 14 May in Paddington, London. T e topic for the meeting will be Hospital Parking, and we have already secured a speaking slot from Which? (the Consumer Association), which recently published the results of its survey into NHS parking. T e BPA’s newly-published Hospital Parking Charter will also be discussed, as will the Position Paper (2007)
on Hospital Parking. Parking management
is key to the economic success of the United Kingdom; it is vital not only in our high streets, but also in many aspects of our daily lives, whether it be at a railway station, shopping centre or a hospital. T e Parking Forum
provides an opportunity for organisations with a real interest in discussing the key parking issues to contribute to these discussions. For more information
and to become a member, contact Dave Smith on 01444 447 316 or email dave.s@
britishparking.co.uk
GOOD TO TALK
BPA is consulting members about consultations from the DfT and the Scottish Government on: 1. Blue Badge Reform Programme; 2. The Local Authorities (Transport Charges) Amendment) (England) Regulations 2010, which would empower traffi c and highway authorities to recover certain costs associated with Anti- Terrorist Traffi c Regulation Orders (ATTROs) and traffi c calming measures; and 3. Review of penalty charges in Scotland. Please send your views to abdul.t@britishparking.
co.uk for incorporation into the BPA response.
20 MAY 2010
www.britishparking.co.uk
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