Regions and clubs
The double breakfast run
MAG in Wales are still trying to get free passage on he Cleddau Bridge
MAG in Wales is persisting with its campaign to make the Cleddau bridge free to motorcyclists.
The campaign is grounded in the same logic that has seen MAG successfully negotiate agreements with most of the operators of major river crossings in the country. Essentially that is that motorcycling should be encouraged to minimise traffic congestion, road wear and resource depletion.
Providing incentives like toll-
free free crossings drives that message home to the motoring population. Furthermore the inconvenience of stopping to hand over money is far greater for motorcyclists particularly in poor weather.
Almost every month since October 2012, when my sixth letter to the council was blanked MAG members have made a weekend group crossing of the bridge. Over to Phil McFadden, The latest ‘Double Breakfast
Ride’ started from The Owl’s Nest Diner in Llandovery, with a further 11 bikes joining at Jerry’s Diner in Pembroke to ride en masse.
The council’s response so far has not been helpful and their response to our very supportive MP Simon Hart suggests that we are engaged in ‘a campaign to disrupt.’ We always act within the Law though we follow
lengthy protocols in the course of paying to make a point. These include putting our bikes on their stands and carefully removing gloves to find the necessary coins.
MAG members have been irritated by the council’s refusal to negotiate and respond with the harmlessly mischievous procedures that are mostly recognised by motorists as legitimate under the circumstances.
So far the Council’s defence which has been articulated to Simon Hart MP is grounded in the expectation that granting us free passage would open the floodgates to a mass of requests from other users.
The welsh First Minister Carwyn Jones has proposed making the Severn Crossings free as they represent a financial burden that restricts commercial growth in Wales. I would have expected a competent council to revisit and request of the Assembly at this time the same consideration to be given to Pembrokeshire. I understand that in the case of the Severn Crossings it was seen as financially untenable, but in this case we are considering a far smaller sum of money. The Members of
Pembrokeshire MAG are consistently behind pursuing this cause, and there are calls for stronger action.
MAG at the Royal British Legion Riders
Portsmouth MAG at The Royal British Legion Riders meet at Fort Widley
The prevailing South Westerly wind rattled up the Western Solent, accelerating between the Isle of Wight and the mainland, lashing the top of Portsdown Hill with very heavy rain showers. They were not deterred by the fact that the RBLR were setting up camp in preparation for their meet and greet the following day. Thankfully we were only delivering the gazebo, banners etc. for the MAG stand, and not camping. Next morning, someone switched on summer. We even managed to sign up a couple of new members. Pictures: John Baker (Southern Region Dep Rep) Words by John Whitehead (Portsmouth MAG Dep Rep).
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