| Topic: | Re:Re:CPZs the true cost to residents | |
| Posted by: | Michael Brandt | |
| Date/Time: | 15/03/13 09:13:00 |
| I had not thought how the hidden costs all add up. Alex, you have either not noticed or you lived in complete isolation. But it is quite true. Like most I had not really thought about it or sat down and totalled up the costs. I don't suppose anyone in Hamilton road has either yet as it's early days. Much of the costs are by stealth and well hidden and one does not easily notice - a bit like using an Oyster card when It's not always easy to notice you have been overcharged. I have to admit it must be true because my company does make additional charges to addresses inside a CPZ and we have done for some years now. Regular parking fines were wiping out whole weeks profits and compromising the time and service to clients. Thinking about it more, my office is in a CPZ and I used to live in one as well. It was true that a lot of tradesmen would not come to do estimates during CPZ hours and some deliveries and collections would stipulate collection from depot only. Then with so many CPZs and loss of customers, businesses wised up. British Gas service add on a CPZ charge to their premium calculations so do many other businesses, the same way we do.. It's hidden but it goes on if their database shows the street in a CPZ. My own business factors in the charge that covers a permit cost which admittedly we do not mention. We do though, mention that we will pass on a ticket fine to the client if they do not provide a parking permit or parking facility. You have to add on how much you spend on visitor permits for family and friends who are your guests, baby sitters, child minders, carers and so on. After all do you charge your guests for tea and buns? If you look at the hike Ealing have done, having visitors even for coffee is now a very expensive event. And way beyond the means for some. Remember, a non car owning resident also has to pay for visitors permits. |