Councillor Paul Smith’s email

Email from Councillor Paul Smith, Executive Member for the Environment to Lib Dem Councillor Arthur Graves, who called a public meeting for residents to discuss concerns about the Roamer Parking Scheme.

Cllr Smith asserts that residents are “overwhelmingly supportive of the scheme”, despite only 8 of the 313 responses to the initial consultation (report to exec 13th Jan 2011)  supporting the scheme.

From: smithpaul67@googlemail.com [mailto:smithpaul67@googlemail.com] On Behalf Of Paul Smith

Sent: 26 Jan 11 14:52

To: Graves, Arthur

Cc: Smith, Paul

Subject: Re: Invite to Public Meeting

Dear Arthur

Thank you for invitation to attend your meeting. As you would be aware the executive has made a decision on the resident roamer after public consultation and the Council has written to all residents letting them know about the decision to amend the hours of operation to 11am -3pm.

Council has written to everyone who is permit holder and by now all residents are in possession of the facts and the feedback from people who have received their letter is overwhelmingly positive.

Given all residents are aware of the facts and the are overwhelmingly supportive of this initiative that will save them money every time they visit a friend or relative, I have decided to spend my evening doing something useful for the residents of Islington, which is helping organise the opposition to £335 million pounds of cuts to Islington.

I suggest this would be a more positive use of your time as well.

Yours sincerely

Councillor Paul Smith

Executive Member for Islington

Campaign launched against the Residents’ Roamer

STOP THE ROAMER
PRESS RELEASE
30.1.2011
For immediate use
Campaign launched against the Residents’ Roamer
A campaign has been launched against the Council’s Residents’ Roamer encouraging all residents, not just drivers, to respond to the latest scheme. This proposal is part of the Council’s changes to its parking regime, and has proven highly divisive among the borough’s residents, both those with, and without cars.  The campaign also opposes the issue of  unlimited visitors’ vouchers.
STOP THE ROAMER is opposed to these measures because they will increase non-essential car use within Islington, and encourage more people to visit the borough by car.  There is also mounting evidence that a black market is developing in vouchers, and the campaign believes that this could accelerate as a result of these being issued on an unlimited basis.
The changes will result in increased pollution, and danger for pedestrians and cyclists.  Worsening congestion could also impede the movement of buses.
Said Nick Jack: “More traffic, more danger, more pollution.  The Council is driving a coach and horses through its sustainable transport policies.  Everyone in Islington needs to wake up to the threat this poses to our quality of life.”
Note The campaign is called STOP THE ROAMER and there is now a web site where those interested can find out more about what is proposed, and how it conflicts with existing Council policy.  Those visiting the site can post their own comments, as well as read those of others.  It can be found at: https://stoptheroamer.wordpress.com.  The campaign has been started by Islington residents Caroline Russell, John Ackers and Nick Jack.
Contact:

Caroline Russell 07876 260491
Nick Jack  020 7272 5210
John Ackers 07940 887952