Flawed criticism of Council transport policies: a commentary by Cllr Jerry Elloy

11.16.00am BST (GMT +0100) Sat 15th Sep 2007

Cllr David Trigg

Praying in aid one of the Sunday Times' less well-researched articles, Conservative Councillors Samuel, Seymour and Marlow have made a number of misleading and inaccurate claims about the Lib Dem Council's transport policies.

They appear in a recent article on Twickenham Online ['National Press Exposes 'Anti-Motorist' Liberals' in the 'Borough-wide News' section, September 7; http://www.twickenham-online.co.uk/]. Responding to the piece, Councillor David Trigg, Richmond's Cabinet member with responsibility for Traffic, Transport and Parking, puts the record straight. "Not only are these comments alarmist and emotive" he says, " but they are designed to cause confusion by conjuring up a completely inaccurate picture. Our transport policies are designed to maximise the best use of all forms of transport. They encourage people to look, where possible, at alternative and greener forms of transport and, where this is either not possible or convenient, to use less polluting cars or indeed participate in car share schemes. This is a positive response to climate change and the obvious expansion of vehicle numbers in the borough."

He drew attention to the example cited in the Sunday Times' article of the Council's policy of 'penalizing little shops in St Margaret's and victimising motorists'. "Let us be quite clear on what has happened in this area," he said. "Motorists were regularly parking illegally, and this caused obstructions and danger on the road. The council acted to enforce the regulations, and at the request of residents and businesses. While the number of tickets issued rose initially, this has peaked and fewer are being issued, suggesting that inconsiderate parking is reducing. On a positive note the council is currently approving a Business Support fund for the 2007/08 year (one of the councils many initiatives) of around £3,500 for the St Margaret's Traders Association. This has the support of all three ward councillors, Geoff Acton, Ben Khosa and Philip Morgan who have been instrumental in its conception and approval."

"Our council is not driven by dogma," he concluded. "It is driven by a clear wish to make our borough and environment better for all who live and visit here. Global warming must be addressed. Our CO2 related parking scheme has already won plaudits nationwide and around the world. Many other local authorities are now following our lead as well as regional and central government." Referring to the Sunday Times article, he adds, " The Council co-operated fully when approached by the paper. They interviewed me for almost 30 minutes and clearly decided not to use anything I said, preferring to quote in a selective way. It certainly does not pass the test of objective journalism - a pity for a paper with the reputation of the Sunday Times"