Responding to news that Hammersmith and Fulham Council has been encouraging traffic wardens to increase revenue from motorist fines, the London Green Party has called on the council to ditch it’s short-term vision and develop a far more progerssive and positive transport policy.
Findings from a Freedom of Information request sent to the Council by BBC Panorama, reveal how the council has been sending emails to traffic wardens celebrating monthly increases in takings from motorists’ fines and calling on the wardens to keep up the good work.
In response, Caroline Russell, a London Green Party activist, said:
“Such an approach points towards a very short-term transport vision in Hammersmith and Fulham. Whilst campaigners both inside and outside the Green Party are pushing for necessary changes to be made to road layouts and speed limits to help make roads a pleasant environment for cyclists and pedestrians, Hammersmith council seem intent on milking existing layouts for all they are worth.
If the council is rejoicing in news that fines from motorists are on the up we can only conclude that they have no intention of reducing the amount of traffic passing through the borough as that would lead to a reduction in their revenue. This is extremely concerning given the huge environmental and physical benefits that come from reducing the number of cars on our roads and encouraging people to walk or get on their bikes.
We need a far more positive and progressive approach from Hammermsith and Fulham Council – one that reflects, for instance, the exciting announcement made by City Hall last Friday that introducing 20mph speed limits across London is now being seriously considered”.