| |
Rules of the road – and the changes that raise cash
• YOUR correspondent Jeremy Codd (Rules of the road absurdity, Letters April 24) fails to recognise the benefits of the service provided by Camden Council at the Grafton Road restricted access.
A couple of years ago the restriction was controlled by a retractable post that was raised during restricted times, making it effectively impossible to break the rules.
The exception was when the post was not raised during restricted hours, either as a result of Camden’s failure to operate it properly or for some other reason.
Clearly this system was a failure as the only funds Camden could raise from this method of control was when a motorist went through while the post was retracted during restricted times, and caught on camera, not being aware that they could claim there was a sign that said if the post was down during restricted time, it was acceptable to go through.
Camden’s solution to this problem was to remove the post installation that prevented access (Camden said it was being vandalised) and catch drivers on camera.
This has proved a great success, raising income from this location from less than £30,000 a year to almost £500,000.
Of course, the Grafton Road restriction has other benefits. It discourages drivers from reducing the traffic in Kentish Town so that congestion there can be increased.
An opportunity to include it in the congestion charge zone?
Martin Shaw
Back Lane
Letchmore Heath
|
 |
|
| |
