Thanks very much to the local constabulary and Greenwich Council for putting the wheels in motion in dealing with the illegal selling of cars on Plumstead Common.
Ever since the A4 signs were posted on the trees, the dastardly cars and the dodgy gangs have gone. I'm sure the recent newspaper reportage of the police's last sting (no relation to the hit 80's pop group), played an important part in the cleansing of our environment.
Like most Londoners, I like a rant now and again, but much more importantly, it's great to show appreciation.
Big up to The Shooters Hill Safer Neighbourhood Team and Greenwich Council.
5 comments:
We're not sure about this one really. Yes, the cars are being sold illegally and it's good to see someone doing something about them.
But on the other hand, how does spending all your time removing illegally traded cars make the neighbourhood safer?
It makes the neighbourhood safer because
a) I can walk along the pavement opposite the car sellers without the regular group of blokes giving me dirty looks, and so can my partner. If this doesn't bother anyone else then good for you.
b) One afternoon during rush hour, a car actually double parked so they could get out for some window shopping. Of course, traffic had to drive around this car and inevitably, a cyclist almost got pushed off the road. Admittedly, cars rarely double park, but very often slow right down so the driver can have a good look. Slowing down still forces traffic to swerve into the opposite side of the road.
In my books, getting rid of this illegal car showroom is making the area a safer place.
fair enough, if you've had bad experiences with it who are we to argue with them.
So now the cars have been removed from the Common, what about the fleet of wrecks for sale on Brewery Road? The problem isn't solved, just relocated.
I used to wonder why cars turning left out of Warwick Terrace onto Plumstead Common Road never stopped at the zebra crossing. Once I'd started driving, I realised why.
With cars parked along the north side of Plumstead Common Road between The Links zebra crossing and Warwick Terrace, drivers pulling out of Warwick Terrace cannot see vehicles travelling west to east. The safest option is to wait for a 53 bus to turn right and use this as a shield. The problem here is that you may have to wait some time and put up with some very angry beeping from behind. The alternative option is to push the accelerator to the floor and screech to the left, knocking over all and sundry on the zebra crossing. As I am fairly likely to be one of the "all and sundry," this is my least favoured method.
Clearly, this is why the removal of the illegally traded cars would make the neighbourhood safer.
But what are the options?
(i) Double yellow lines between The Ship and Warwick Terrace (or a combination of double yellow lines and parking spaces half way between), or
(ii)increased patrols from Trading Standards to remove the cars.
Either way is no good unless the law is enforced. To enforce the law, there have to be enough officers in place. There are very few parking attendants and very few trading standards officers.
How many of you would be "up in arms" if Greenwich announced a massive increase in parking attendants?
By the by, just who are buying these cars? Dodgy sales might mean dodgy buyers (I can't see a potential buyer asking the AA, for example, to examine a car in an illegal position).
I am sure Greenwich Council would welcome realistic suggestions.
Dimps
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