Pop Culture Politics - Lord True Goes Over The Rainbow

• [Jun 02] Cllr Gareth Roberts writes: IT'S a wonderful thing, pop culture. Those of us with a magpie mind find ourselves trundling along through life and all too often we find parallels between real life and the world of celluloid fantasy that we've seen flickering away on the big screen or in the corner on the Idiot's Lantern. Over the years as I've taken an interest in local politics there's one scene that springs to mind with alarming frequency and that's the big reveal scene in The Wizard of Oz. You know the one. "Pay No Attention To That Man Behind The Curtain" and all that.

But why, you may well ask do I find myself thinking about that particularly memorable expose of hucksterism? As usual it's a council press release and, as usual, it's about parking policy.

You'll probably be aware that the council is pushing forward with their plans to introduce 30 minutes free parking across the borough. This is a good thing. You may also be aware that they're hanging the whole shebang on the idea that people will use the RichmondCard to access the service….ah! That's not quite so good. It's all a little over-engineered if you ask me. In fact don't ask me, ask Zac Goldsmith instead - before the election he branded the CO2 parking scheme which relied upon the Richmond Card 'Clumsy'. The Tories' new scheme uses the same card and the same technology and suddenly its marvellous. That's politics folks!

Anyway, that's very much a side issue - what prompted the Proustian rush of "Pay No Attention To That Man Behind The Curtain"? Well it was a few lines from Cllr True in a press release designed to publicise the fact that the council is proposing to flood the market with Richmond Cards in a way which would make Robert Mugabe stand up and applaud a fellow professional . Milord True writes

"For too long, councils have seen motorists as sheep to fleece. Too many still act in a predatory and money grabbing way. We are absolutely determined to change this in Richmond upon Thames. There may still be some anti-motorist policy hangovers from the past but these are being swept aside as fast as we can."

Which sounds absolutely marvellous doesn't it? Doesn't it? Well "Pay No Attention To That Man Behind The Curtain" as this is as classic an example of chutzpah and hucksterism as you're likely to see in many a week. You may be unaware that only last month this council voted through new measures suggested as part of a cabinet paper about revenue generation. They intend to apply charging for car parks across the borough for weekend and bank holiday charging. Oh yes, as they give with the one hand with their Richmond Cards they claw back with the other. Christmas is well and truly cancelled if you want to park in Richmond this festive season. On top of that the same document included plans for swingeing fines for anybody who blocks a yellow box junction or slips into a bus lane or several other transgressions. Of course the argument is that these are about safety, but strangely the plans are included in a revenue generation strategy document.

But surely this will be a small amount of money raised, nothing to scare the horses. Two Million Pounds over three years. Two. Million. Pounds. Makes you think, doesn't it?

So there you have it 'Anti-motorist policy hangovers from the past are being swept away' what Milord True fails to add is 'so that we can make room for anti-motorist policies of our own'

Next time on Pop Culture Politics: As the Tories continue to take their axe to vital services used by our most vulnerable residents we'll consider a crazed axeman breaking through a door shouting the chilling words "Heeeeeeeeeeeeere's Geoffrey!"

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From the report:

' . . 4.0 Moving Traffic Contraventions

It is proposed that powers to enforce Moving Traffic Contraventions (blocking box junctions, no right turns, driving in bus lanes) are applied for and adopted by the Council. Enforcement would be through the use of CCTV enforcement both by static cameras and the mobile Smart cars. The primary purpose of this will be to reduce congestion (highlighted as a top priority in the recent All in One consultation) and make the roads safer by encouraging drivers to drive safely and legally. A review of locations, public consultation and modifications to locations will be necessary and may take up to twelve months to complete.

A number of other authorities in London have applied for and been issued with the authority to charge for MTCs. It is estimated that this proposal could provide a total additional net income of £926k over three years. However, this total is likely to reduce as the Council may restrict the implementation to a limited number of specific locations following review and consultation.

4.1 Off Street Parking

The Council currently charges for Bank Holiday and Sunday parking at only 5 of the 91 [sic] off street sites; the remaining 14 are free of charge. It is proposed to apply consistent charging across the off street sites. The Council currently only charges for evening parking in Paradise Road MSCP. It is proposed that evening charging is introduced in the other main car parks (Friars Lane, Old Deer and Extension, Arragon road). A flat fee of £2 for evening parking is recommended as this is the current charge in Paradise Road.

Any displacement parking that may occur in CPZ areas as a result of the introduction of these charges at weekends, bank holidays and evenings will be kept closely under review to see if mitigating action needs to be taken. It is estimated that this proposal could provide a total additional net income of £816k over three years . . '

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• Free parking for thousands as Council launches RichmondCards [LBRuT press release May 27]

• Income Generation [Council Cabinet paper May 10]