Topic: Mass non-payment of parking tickets - is this the way forward?

[20Eyes]

Looks like the residents of one London borough have had enough:

Westminster Council owed £18m in parking fines

A London council is owed more than £18m in unpaid parking fines, a BBC Freedom of Information request has revealed. Westminster Council in central London has had 180,000 unpaid parking tickets over the last three years.

Almost 85,000 warrants have been issued as the council tries to chase the offenders.

The council said it would take those who owe money to court if they refused to pay the fines.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-11963890

Despite their threats, clearly there is no possible way that they can take 85,000 people through court. Maybe this is how we should take back our streets on a national basis?

[moley]

Despite their threats, clearly there is no possible way that they can take 85,000 people through court. Maybe this is how we should take back our streets on a national basis?

Thought you weren't happy with the students taking back our streets 

[20Eyes]

Thought you weren't happy with the students taking back our streets 

The students can do as they please. Although, I don't think even they are claiming to be taking back our streets, they just want to take our money and not spend their own.

[Mellon]

I don't think that's what they only want. This country needs students doctors, barristers etc ordinary people who have a gift for certain area's of speciality...if someone goes to Uni to better themselves and help the future generations and the future old folk (that's me and you 20) then I don't really care if they take my tax.

[20Eyes]

I don't think that's what they only want. This country needs students doctors, barristers etc ordinary people who have a gift for certain area's of speciality...if someone goes to Uni to better themselves and help the future generations and the future old folk (that's me and you 20) then I don't really care if they take my tax.

Ah, they're going to Uni out of a sense of civic duty? Silly me.

[Muggins]

Why would you not want to be a doctor then 20 eyes?

If I wanted to get rich quick (and not do a 7 year course) that's the last job I would choose.

[20Eyes]

Why would you not want to be a doctor then 20 eyes?

It's never appealled to me, like most jobs don't. I do have a friend who's a GP though. £170k a year at 34 isn't a bad little number.

If I wanted to get rich quick (and not do a 7 year course) that's the last job I would choose.

I don't higher education particularly helps much for people wanting to get rich quick, regardless of their chosen speciality.

So, you really are saying that people go to Uni out of a sense of civic duty and so that they can devote the lives and careers to helping others? I'd love to ask a few of them about that at around midnight tonight in the Student Union bars...

[Drone]

Looks like the residents of one London borough have had enough:

Westminster Council owed £18m in parking fines

A London council is owed more than £18m in unpaid parking fines, a BBC Freedom of Information request has revealed. Westminster Council in central London has had 180,000 unpaid parking tickets over the last three years.

Almost 85,000 warrants have been issued as the council tries to chase the offenders.

The council said it would take those who owe money to court if they refused to pay the fines.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-11963890

Despite their threats, clearly there is no possible way that they can take 85,000 people through court. Maybe this is how we should take back our streets on a national basis?

Perhaps these people should own up to their civic duty and repay the £18 million which this country needs?

Sorry - car related offence, so they shouldn't face any penalties even when regulations are clearly signposted... 

[20Eyes]

Perhaps these people should own up to their civic duty and repay the £18 million which this country needs?

Sorry - car related offence, so they shouldn't face any penalties even when regulations are clearly signposted... 

'Repay' the £18m? That's quite an interesting way of looking at it.

The real question is, 'What difference did it make to anything or anyone that cars were parked against the prevailing/arbitary whims of the local council on 85,000 different occasions?'

I suspect the answer would be, 'Nothing'.

[PAV]

I would imagine most of the unpaid tickets in Westminster are owed by foreigners.

[Bogomil]

I would imagine most of the unpaid tickets in Westminster are owed by foreigners.

Or dare I even suggest, due to being issued on cars that are of foregn origins. In a previous job I knew of a nice little trade being done by some of our Polish colleagues, who cottoned on to buying cars cheap and bringing them into the UK to sell to their work mates. No Car Tax and no Speed Camera fines…. Quids in all round

[moley]

I would imagine most of the unpaid tickets in Westminster are owed by foreigners.

Or dare I even suggest, due to being issued on cars that are of foregn origins. In a previous job I knew of a nice little trade being done by some of our Polish colleagues, who cottoned on to buying cars cheap and bringing them into the UK to sell to their work mates. No Car Tax and no Speed Camera fines…. Quids in all round

Actually wasn't there a particular problem in Westminster with cars with diplomatic plates simply ignoring parking tickets and parking wherever they liked?

Would be interesting to know if this is included in this figure....

[Bogomil]

to be honest of you think Swindon's Parking Officers are harsh... just visit London.... absolute b'stards 

[moley]

to be honest of you think Swindon's Parking Officers are harsh... just visit London.... absolute b'stards 

I know.. the main thing is not to get caught out by some of the esoteric timings on parking... Always read the signs very carefully.....

I have to admit I'm always amazed however how many cars I see stopping on red routes.... (and to be honest I think people who do that deserve every ticket they get)

Moley

[Mart]

barristers

Need?

The laws are written, all we need is someone who can read.