Freedom of Information (FOI) Act 2000: Request for information

Thank you for your correspondence dated 7 July 2009. I apologise for the delay in our response. I am sorry to note that you are dissatisfied with the initial response you have received in relation to FOI request 3991.

Your original request, logged on 26 June 2009, was as follows:

“Also, in the "Frequently Asked Questions" section of the motorcycle parking pages of the City Council's website, I note the following comment in the very last question: - The City Council's policy for charging motorcycles to park is not based on emission levels. So if this is the case, please explain why electric motorcycles are exempt from the parking tax on the basis that they take the same amount of parking space as any other bike”.

The City Council's response to this request, dated 7 July 2009 advised:

By your recent correspondence (7 July 2009) you have stated:

“In paragraph 1, you state, a decision by the Council was made to consider a system of differential charging based on emission levels. Electric vehicles park for free because they produce zero tailpipe emissions. As a result, they do not contribute to the high levels of air pollution we have in Central London. So it is very clear that Westminster's decision not to stealth tax electric motorcycles for parking is because, in your opinion, they don't pollute”.

“Can you please explain, in the light of the above, why in paragraph 2 you go on and say that Westminster's decision to introduce a charge for motorcycles was not based on environmental concerns but to address the ever-increasing demand for Westminster's limited Kerbside space and due to this, electric motorcycles were exempted. But do you really think that electric motorcycles take zero space when parked”?

“So what was your decision to exempt electric motorcycles from the parking tax based on kerbside space considerations or environmental issues? It can't be both I'm afraid; it's one or the other. And if you say that it is for environmental reasons, please explain why in the Frequently Asked Questions shown on the motorcycle parking pages of your website, you specifically state the following: -

I thought motorcycles were less polluting than cars so shouldn't you be encouraging people to use motorcycles?

The City Council's policy for charging motorcycles to park is not based on emission levels.

If your decision, on the contrary, is based on kerbside space issues, then why are electric motorcycles exempt, given that they use the same amount of space as any other type of motorcycle. Can we be assured that, should a large number of motorcyclists decide to switch to electric motorcycles to avoid paying your parking tax, they'll all still be able to park for free going forward”?

In response to your correspondence dated 7 July 2009, I can advise as follows:

On review of the information you were initially provided, I accept that the response is ambiguous and I apologise as a result.

It was not a specific aim of the experimental motorcycle-charging scheme to address environmental concerns. However, the City Council has a wider, general policy of offering concessions to all electric vehicles, such as giving them free parking up to the maximum stay in paid-for parking bays and being able to park free of charge in electric charging bays whilst charging. It would therefore be inconsistent if this scheme did not extend the same concessions to electric motorcycles.

While an electric motorcycle is likely to consume the same volume of space as other motorcycle types, the decision to exempt electric motorcycles from the parking charge, as aforementioned, is in order to remain consistent with the City Council's policy for all Eco Vehicles.

Further details on the City Council's policy for Eco Vehicles is available via the following web link:

http://www.westminster.gov.uk/services/transportandstreets/parking/wheretopark/vehicletype/

The City Council has already published extensive details as to why a charge for motorcycle parking in Westminster was implemented. Full details are of this are also available via the City Council's website. The below link may be of specific interest:

http://www3.westminster.gov.uk/committee/index.cfm?c_docs=Cabinet%20Member%20Decisions/Former%20Cabinet%20Member%20Portfolios/Environment_and_Transport/2009/31%20-%20Motorcycle%20Charging%20Scheme

Thank you for bringing this matter to my attention. I trust the data contained is now sufficient to clarify your request.

Further information is also available from the information commissioner at:

Information Commissioner's Office

Wycliffe House

Water Lane

Wilmslow

Cheshire

SK9 5AF

Telephone: 01625-545-700

www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk

Yours sincerely

Gordon Deas

Departmental Records Officer