NOTES FROM BIG BEN … Another Day, a Different Dollar BY PETER GUEST S


OMETIMES I JUST don’t understand why people behave the way they do. It just seems that given there is a


hard way and an easy way to do something, people go all out for the difficult option.


Take the UK’s Royal Mint; they


wanted to change the design of some of our coins. No problems there. The logic was, I suspect, simple: The smaller value coins were costing too much to make as world metal prices rise, and by changing the metal composition, the mint would save, well, a mint. Apparently they consulted on this


way back in 2008, and as a result of the response, changed the decision from replacing just two coins (5p and 10p), instead of all four “silver” coins. I do not remember the consultation at all, but per- haps that’s just me. But now this is where it all goes a bit, well, weird. Having had the consultation and listened to and react- ed to the comments – which is quite refreshing in a government agency – do the numismatists at the Royal Mint announce their decision in Parliament or call a press conference? No, they give the decision at an event


last November in the Philippines! That’s the Philippines, halfway ‘round the world. So, not surprisingly, not too many people here heard about it. Anyway, the Royal Mint has given more than a year’s notice of the new coins and has been sup- plying sample coins tomachinemanufac- turers to help them set up equipment for the change. Notwithstanding this, there are


claims from some in the parking industry that the change will cost “up to £100m” to implement. I think someone is taking the p***. Typically, coin acceptors can distin- guish between 15 or more different coins, and setting a new coin takes seconds. I cannot envisage a responsible park-


stories like the next one do not help their credibility. Wandsworth Borough Council is


enforcing a bus stop outside Clapham South tube station using a CCTV cam- era. On an average day, 23motorists are given a £100 penalty charge for stop- ping at the bus stop. One driver got four tickets in four days for stopping to drop off apassenger for the tube. But – and it’s a big but – the InformationCommis- sioner requires that where there is video surveillance in a public place, there should be signs telling the public this. Wandsworth erected no such signs


when the camera was installed, although they have now bowed to pres- sure and rather belatedly obeyed the rules. Two points: First, if the rules say there should be signs, then none of the tickets issued pre signs are legal and should be refunded. Second, the act that givesWandsworth the powers to do all this requires that they should “have regard for ... the desirability of securing and maintaining reasonable access to premises.” If more than 20 vehicles a day are stopping there, perhaps Wandsworth needs to look again at whether or not they have adequately discharged this duty?


Why Council Parking is Despised (2) In a similar situation, a section of


Local authorities here in the UK are often criticized for operating parking just to make money.


ing operationwhere there has not been a routinemaintenance vis- it to every machine in the last year where the upgrade could be installed. Methinks they doth protest toomuch.


Why Council Parking is Despised (1) Local authorities here in theUKare often criticized for oper-


ating parking just to make money. They deny it, of course, but 42 NOVEMBER 2010 • PARKING TODAY • www.parkingtoday.com


Green Lanes in the London Borough of Haringey produces 33 tickets a day, making it the most ticketed section of road in England. I believe that drivers have a duty to read and understand the regulations that apply, but here the rules are different on different sides of the road, and signage is apparently contra- dictory with three sets of rules posted. In total, there are 16 different sets of regulations signed in themile and a half street; and in places, one set of rules is on the signs with something different on the meters.


Bearing in mind the Borough’s duty to have regard for the


need to access premises, it is perhaps a little disappointing to see that parking is banned 5-7 p.m. on Saturday, the peak shopping time for the localTurkish community. I suspect this is a classic case of “mission creep.” Original


regulations were altered and refined as circumstances changed, and as the situation becamemore andmore complex, no one took Continued on Page 44


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