IMPORTANT: What to do if you find a damaged "obliterated" sign

[thundergar]

IMPORTANT: READ THIS IF YOU FIND AN "OBLITERATED" BAY SIGN.

I went Christmas shopping today and found a number of those nice parking signs had been vandalised. The bottom plates were completely removed and the location markers blacked out.

Maybe the cold weather caused metal fatigue! or perhaps there are new kinds of 'Rats' in London with very sharp teeth! Either way I put a sign on my bike, took a photo of the sign, went shopping and returned two hours later no problem. I checked some other locations ... Hanover square.. Market place.

All had been disabled yet bikers (poor honest sods!) were still trying to pay!

I had to give two of them a five minute lecture on what to do to get free parking. it took a Warden to convince one that he couldn't issue a ticket if there was no location marker.

We need to get this message across better. Whoever is doing this is hurting Westmonster in four ways;

• (1) They don't get revenue
• (2) Their contractors get pissed because it effects their targets
• (3) It costs them more if they do issue a ticket and it is contested with evidence
• (4) They have to replace the sign at huge expense (for it to get attacked again no doubt!)

Two of those effects are directly the responsibility of bikers not paying to park at a damaged sign...so pass the word.

REMEMBER: DO NOT PAY THE PARKING TAX IF THE BAY IS "OBLITERATED", THE BAY IS NON-ENFORCEABLE AND THEREFORE FREE. TAKE PHOTOS OF YOUR BIKE IN THE BAY WITH THE "OBLITERATED" SIGN AND IF YOU GET A TICKET APPEAL IT, THERE IS A LETTER BELOW OF A PREVIOUSLY CANCELLED PCN DUE TO AN "OBLITERATED" SIGN, USE IT. AND DO NOT PAY THE TAX, PASS ON THIS MESSAGE TO ALL RIDERS YOU MEET.

[Ogri]

Well spotted Thundergar, you're a brave one; shopping in the West End at this time of year.

EDIT:  Hmmm! 12 'Guests' online as I type, 4 reading this thread.. who could they be ?

[kaychanc]

I went Christmas shopping today and found a number of those nice parking signs had been vandalised.
The bottom plates were completely removed and the location markers blacked out.
Maybe the cold weather caused metal fatigue! or perhaps there are new kinds of 'Rats' in London with very sharp teeth!
Either way I put a sign on my bike, took a photo of the sign, went shopping and returned two hours later no problem.
I checked some other locations ... Hanover square.. Market place.
All had been disabled yet bikers ( poor honest sods!) were still trying to pay!
I had to give two of them a five minute lecture on what to do to get free parking. it took a Warden to convince one that he couldn't issue a ticket if there was no location marker.
We need to get this message across better. Whoever is doing this is hurting Westmonster in four ways

(1) They don't get revenue
(2) Their contractors get pissed because it effects their targets
(3) It costs them more if they do issue a ticket and it is contested with evidence
(4) They have to replace the sign at huge expense (for it to get attacked again no doubt!)

Two of those effects are directly the responsibility of bikers not paying to park at a damaged sign...so pass the word.

intresting.. i was in Great Portland Street the other day and a warden was still trying to give out tickets even though the sign was clearly defaced. when i asked him why he was giving tickets, he said that all the bikers should have found another way to pay... idiot!

[1frog]

perhaps some stripflyers should be organised, i will gladly put them on the bikes if I see any disabled signs 
I remember during the summer there were bike parking signs completly blanked out in Golden Square but some poeple were still paying as they had the numbers on memory in their mobile.  and some poeple are too scared of Westminster Gestapo parking army. 

[kaychanc]

perhaps some stripflyers should be organised, i will gladly put them on the bikes if I see any disabled signs 
I remember during the summer there were bike parking signs completly blanked out in Golden Square but some poeple were still paying as they had the numbers on memory in their mobile.  and some poeple are too scared of Westminster Gestapo parking army. 

not surprising since you really have to work to get a ticket cancelled. if you do get a ticket, as the first appeal is ALWAYS REJECTED!

[1frog]

well, since I joined this campaign I never go to "town" without a camera....There is always something worth taking a picture of    or even filming.....I have on a couple of ocasions parked for free in bike bays that have been    and I did not get a PCN although it would have been nice to challenge it if I got one 

[torytax]

I think your should always include Kevin Goad in your correspondence with westminster parking department KGoad@westminster.gov.uk

Kevin Goad has proved himself over the last year to be a strong co conspirator in all this illegal activity in the offices of Westminster, and he should personally face the consequences of his dishonest, corrupt and above all illegal actions. His actions go much further than just feeding the media with false information, he took no action to put illegal signs, contracts and parking orders right, and has personally been involved in taking money from the public to further his position. Kevin Goad as ignored the public's appeals to PCN's and still pursued them for fines he knows don't stand up when they get to PATAS. So he needs to be copied in on all letters so he cannot say he didn't know, and I hope this is the last Christmas he sees as a free man for a very long time.

If you see a CEO giving a ticket to a bike parked in a rathbone bay, get the CEO's number and complain to Kevin Goad, it's likely he will not reply, but just take it further to stage 3 then on to the LGO. Just clog up their crooked system and hold Kevin Goad to account.

Well done to the Captain as well, about time this illegal tax was stopped  

[MrC]

I think your should always include Kevin Goad in your correspondence with westminster parking department KGoad@westminster.gov.uk

Kevin Goad has proved himself over the last year to be a strong co conspirator in all this illegal activity in the offices of Westminster, and he should personally face the consequences of his dishonest, corrupt and above all illegal actions. His actions go much further than just feeding the media with false information, he took no action to put illegal signs, contracts and parking orders right, and has personally been involved in taking money from the public to further his position. Kevin Goad as ignored the public's appeals to PCN's and still pursued them for fines he knows don't stand up when they get to PATAS. So he needs to be copied in on all letters so he cannot say he didn't know, and I hope this is the last Christmas he sees as a free man for a very long time.

If you see a CEO giving a ticket to a bike parked in a rathbone bay, get the CEO's number and complain to Kevin Goad, it's likely he will not reply, but just take it further to stage 3 then on to the LGO. Just clog up their crooked system and hold Kevin Goad to account.

Well done to the Captain as well, about time this illegal tax was stopped 

And remember when they don't reply to send them a nice friendly FOI requset asking them to confirm they have you letter.

[vespa]

Read this topic, this is on the first appeal (and has nothing to with "first PCN cancelled" rule, it was cancelled because the sign was "obliterated" quoting WCC:

http://forum.notobikeparkingtax.com/torytax/pcn-in-rathboned-sign-cancelled-letter-from-kevin-goad-attached/

FEEL FREE TO PRINT THIS LETTER SHOWING PROOF OF CANCELLATION OF THE PCN.

[kaychanc]

Read this topic, this is on the first appeal (and has nothing to with "first PCN cancelled" rule, it was cancelled because the sign was "obliterated" quoting WCC:

http://forum.notobikeparkingtax.com/torytax/pcn-in-rathboned-sign-cancelled-letter-from-kevin-goad-attached/

FEEL FREE TO PRINT THIS LETTER SHOWING PROOF OF CANCELLATION OF THE PCN.

vespa i can't seem to view the photo. can you re upload it? i need it as proof  for my court case that i'm trying to build against WCC for an illegal ticket!
any others with stuff like that please post it!!  

[vespa]

Attached, feel free to use as proof of cancelled PCN because of "Obliterated" sign.

[1frog]

Thanx for this 

[kaychanc]

Attached, feel free to use as proof of cancelled PCN because of "Obliterated" sign.

thanks!!!!

[1frog]

The question is :
Have you seen any undamaged sign lately ?  
I have been going to the sales in town and was amazed.......

[kaychanc]

The question is :
Have you seen any undamaged sign lately ? 
I have been going to the sales in town and was amazed.......

no none of the signs round my uncles shop are undammeged!

[Ogri]

no none of the signs round my uncles shop are undammeged!

He has a shop in Westminster ? Whereabouts ?

[ldn1702]

And what about the Baker Street and Marylebone areas?

[1frog]

And what about the Baker Street and Marylebone areas?

take a camera tomorrow, just in case, and if you come across some  please share it with us 

[kaychanc]

He has a shop in Westminster ? Whereabouts ?

Great portland street, just beside the arrogant cat!

[Ogri]

And what about the Baker Street and Marylebone areas?

 Take a camera ....and spare batteries.