United Kingdom - Blow for bikers over parking fees..

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Blow for bikers over parking fees

(UKPA) –
Motorcyclists have lost the latest round of their legal battle to block on-street parking fees in the heart of London.

They are now considering taking their case to Europe. The "No To Bike Parking Tax" campaign (NTBPT) asked the Court of Appeal to overturn a High Court decision backing £1-a-day charges introduced by Westminster City Council.

But two senior judges ruled there was "nothing in the grounds of appeal" and dismissed their case.

Warren Djanogly, who led the motorcyclists' campaign, said: "We are hugely disappointed, but it is not over yet. We are now thinking of taking our case to the European courts where we expect to get a fairer hearing."

The British Motorcyclists Federation had urged motorcyclists all over the country to support the legal action, unofficially estimated to have cost more than £180.000.
It fears that if the Westminster decision stands, it could signal the end for free parking for motorcyclists all over the country.

Westminster declared the appeal court ruling by three senior judges - Lord Justice Maurice Kay, Lady Justice Smith and Lord Justice Moore-Bick - to be "a landmark victory".

The council said in a statement that it welcomed Lord Justice Maurice Kay's ruling that it was justified in charging motorbikes as a way of helping to regulate demand for on-street parking space.
Lee Rowley, Westminster Council's Cabinet member for parking and transportation, said: "Our decision to charge motorcyclists £1 per day to park has been rigorously scrutinised, open to widespread public debate, tested in the High Court and now the Court of Appeal. This case has cost local taxpayers tens of thousands of pounds in legal fees and staff time and we hope this ruling will finally draw a line under the issue"

The motorcyclists were ordered to pay the council's legal costs and were refused permission to appeal to the Supreme Court, the highest court in the land. The council said it would seek to recover its own costs, put at more than £80,000. It said Mr Djanogly's costs were more than £100,000.

http://www.metro.co.uk/news/861329-bikers-lose-1-parking-charge-battle-against-westminster-council
Bikers lose £1 parking charge battle against Westminster Council
Motorcyclists who have lost a legal battle to block on-street parking fees in central London are considering taking their case to Europe. Related Tags:Westminster City CouncilEuropeLondon The Court of Appeal has dismissed motorcyclists attempts to overturn a High Court decision backing council parking charges.
Campaigners were unsuccessful in overturning £1-a-day charges introduced by Westminster City Council.
The Court of Appeal dismissed their attempt to overturn a High Court decision backing the council’s charges.
Warren Djanogly of the No To Bike Parking Tax group said: ‘We are hugely disappointed but it is not over yet.
‘We are now thinking of taking our case to the European courts where we expect to get a fairer hearing.’
The legal action is thought to have cost more than £180,000.
The British Motorcyclists Federation said it feared the decision would signal the end for free parking for riders all over the country.
Westminster declared the appeal court ruling by three senior judges to be ‘a landmark victory’.
It ‘put an end to any doubt’ over the legitimacy of its motorcycle parking policies, the council added.