London coach parking
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have read with interest the rticle by Martin Watkins on mall parking in London and, ?Mist concurring with the entiments of the article, it rould appear to me that 'though the GLC are charged rith the object of providing a olution, nothing tangible has appened in the past five years, espite an investigation by them Ito the situation. Indeed, there as been a committee that has )oked at the matter and xamined it in depth and is ware of the various facets that equire more detailed xamination and, indeed, olution.
Coach parking at Thorney treet and at Vauxhall Bridge, ogether with the call-up system, were proposals made by the inion at the time the GLC were xamining the difficulties. The facts are, however, that the GLC are well aware of the problem, as are the operators and the union, but because the solution will involve the provision of facilities at the various major tourist attractions, and the necessary financial investment, no decision has been made. There are no real provisions in being to accommodate coach traffic in London dealing with these tourist attractions, although it is accepted that we need to provide such facilities in order to improve and increase the tourist trade.
So far, the union's proposals to provide such facilities have either been completely ignored or not sought after. We think this is an omission from your article on the subject.
Certainly the problem exists and will be difficult to solve, but unless the union, amongst those others that are consulted, are invited to put their views, it is unlikely that the civil service mentality approach to the problem will provide the necessary solution to this important part of the tourist business.
Those that understand the peculiarities of coach sightseeing in London would be happy to meet those that are involved in the decision-making to meet the commitments of coach tourist traffic. We would be pleased to meet any representative of the GLC to discuss the issue.
L. J. SMITH,
National Secretary, Passenger Services Group, TGWU.