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Anyone for tennis? One local authority has found a unique use for a piece of equipment usually associated with parking.
Rugby Borough
Council has installed a solar-powered payment terminal to vend tickets for tennis courts and a five-a-side soccer pitch at Caldecott Park, in the heart of the town. The MPC104 Terminal has the facility to be upgraded to provide output signals to control items such as floodlights, and the bookings and current usage status of the courts and soccer pitch. The installation means that a ranger is now free to undertake other more useful duties within the park, rather than have to remain at a kiosk and accept payments. The ranger only needs to undertake periodic checks to ensure that customers have a valid ticket for facility use. The park hosts many events throughout the year including: ‘Art in Park’ and is popular with local residents and visitors alike.
Motorcycle vandals face legal action
Vandals who have caused tens of thousands of pounds’ worth of damage to motorbike parking signs in central London could face legal action after Westminster council and the Metropolitan Police pledged to increase surveillance in trouble spots. A concerted criminal
campaign aimed at making the city’s motorcycle parking bays unenforceable has resulted in more than 1,700 defaced signs needing to be replaced or repaired. Council bosses
estimate that, since January 2009, Westminster has fixed or replaced around £150,000 worth of
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defaced signs that have been covered in graffiti. But the council
and the Metropolitan Police have this week committed to monitor trouble spots around the West End with the aim of putting a stop to vandalism. Dr Leith Penny,
Westminster council’s strategic director of city management, said: ‘Tis damage has been carried out by vandals who appear to think they are above the law. ‘We welcome robust
debate, but will not tolerate such behaviour, which is not only inconveniencing other motorists but also hitting local taxpayers in the pocket at a time when councils across
the country are already facing spending cuts. ‘We will not hesitate
to prosecute any individuals found to be carrying out action that is tantamount to stealing from the public purse.’ Under current
legislation, the maximum sentence for serious vandalism is 10 years’ imprisonment and a maximum fine of £10,000. Te vandalism
began following the council’s decision to make permanent motorcycle parking charges. Under the scheme, motorcyclists can park in a dedicated motorcycle bay anywhere in the borough for a maximum of just £1 per day.
A statement was
posted on a motorcycle protest group’s website following the start of the vandalism and urges motorists not to pay to park where signs have been damaged. While making
clear that they do not condone illegal behaviour the ‘No To Te Bike Parking Tax’ website says: ‘Do not pay the parking tax if the bay is “obliterated”, the bay is non-enforceable and therefore free…. pass on this message to all riders you meet.’ Protestors have issued
further statements on the internet including describing the damage as ‘liberating bays’ and urging motorcyclists to ‘fight back now’.
JULY 2010 9
© SARAH JUGGINS
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