parking | KitGuru https://www.kitguru.net KitGuru.net - Tech News | Hardware News | Hardware Reviews | IOS | Mobile | Gaming | Graphics Cards Fri, 28 Aug 2015 15:44:44 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.3 https://www.kitguru.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/cropped-KITGURU-Light-Background-SQUARE2-32x32.png parking | KitGuru https://www.kitguru.net 32 32 Coming to Multiplay i55? Bring your walking shoes https://www.kitguru.net/channel/event/jon-martindale/coming-to-multiplay-i55-bring-your-walking-shoes/ https://www.kitguru.net/channel/event/jon-martindale/coming-to-multiplay-i55-bring-your-walking-shoes/#respond Fri, 28 Aug 2015 15:44:44 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=265336 Multiplay's latest Insomnia event, i55, has a parking problem. It's not clear if it's just because it's become a victim of its own success, has been planned poorly, or a combination of the two, but there are thousands of people who have been unable to park near enough to the event. Most of those people …

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Multiplay's latest Insomnia event, i55, has a parking problem. It's not clear if it's just because it's become a victim of its own success, has been planned poorly, or a combination of the two, but there are thousands of people who have been unable to park near enough to the event. Most of those people are walking a mile or more to even reach the front door.

biggest
It might be the biggest, but it's not the most well provisioned

This might sound a little meloramatic, but spending upwards of 20 minutes walking to the arena and eventually, 20 minutes back again, on top of all the walking you're likely to do at an event like Insomnia, feels a little much. This would perhaps be understandable if indeed, Multiplay's events had simply become too big and were trying to cater to everyone, but it's difficult not to blame Multiplay and by proxy it's new owners, Game, for these problems.

Yes, BYOC and day visitors to these events do seem to have increased in number over the past year. The problem though comes from the fact that Multiplay has repeatedly reduced the amount of available parking.

multiplaytent
Just one of several tents that have been erected in the arena's car parks

Initially, at the i54 LAN earlier this year, it placed a tented area in the main car-park as it could no longer use the field. Understandable, to an extent. However that same tent at i55 has been expanded, eliminating several hundred more parking spots. Furthermore, other tents have been placed in other car parks, eliminating what could be approaching a thousand. If so, that is around half of the arena's available parking wiped out by somewhat unnecessary tents.

parking
If those bringing their PCs can't fit into the sparse C car park, they have to go all the way to St Finbars

While no one can fault Multiplay for wanting to make its events bigger and better, clearly they've outgrown the Ricoh arena and Multiplay needs to either move on to something bigger and better, or find a way to cut back on what's on show, because as it stands, many, many visitors are left facing lengthy periods finding somewhere nearby to park – as attendants are relatively unhelpful – followed by a lengthy walk, which they must then retread at the end of the day.

Considering the BYOC attendees are spending upwards of £100 to attend these events, it doesn't feel good enough.

KitGuru Says: The only caveat here is that there is a shuttle service running from most carparks. Apparently. That's not exactly possible for BYOC attendees though, who are facing quite a hoof with a giant desktop and monitor in their arms. 

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Government announces crack down on parking spycams https://www.kitguru.net/channel/jon-martindale/government-announces-crack-down-on-parking-spycams/ https://www.kitguru.net/channel/jon-martindale/government-announces-crack-down-on-parking-spycams/#comments Thu, 18 Sep 2014 08:36:01 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=212368 When the Traffic Management Act was introduced in 2004 by the Labour party, it was designed to help clear up some sections of cities which were becoming unusable due to illegal parking. However in the wake of the implementation, councils around the country have been using CCTV cameras and camera mounted spy cars to catch …

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When the Traffic Management Act was introduced in 2004 by the Labour party, it was designed to help clear up some sections of cities which were becoming unusable due to illegal parking. However in the wake of the implementation, councils around the country have been using CCTV cameras and camera mounted spy cars to catch those that park somewhere they shouldn't, which has resulted in upwards of nine million parking fines being issued every year. The government now wants to rein in the practice and to do that it's announcing a ban on the use of camera footage as evidence enough for a fine.

Moving forward, all cars fitted with camera equipment will be restricted to working around schools, bus lanes and bus stops, to make sure those areas stay clear. However elsewhere, traffic wardens will be required to witness the illegal parking themselves and issue a ticket straight away. Part of the problem with the current system, is fines are sent several days later in the post, meaning there's a real disconnect between the crime and the punishment.

cctv

Communities Secretary Eric Pickles made the announcement of this policy change, suggesting that as it stands councils were using the spycars and CCTV footage as a “cash cow,” and that currently parking laws were being enforced in an “over zealous” manner.

“Unreasonable stealth fines by post undermine the high street, push up the cost of living and cost local authorities more in the long term,” he said.

As BBC explains, other proposals from the government include a 25 per cent reduction in ticket cost if a motorist loses an appeal, the ability for local residents to demand a review of parking in their area, recommendations for less heavy handed measures from bailiffs and a freeze on all fixed penalty charges until the next general election.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: Giving a discount to those that appeal and lose against a ticket seems like a bizarre addition, but it's nice to see the government working to actively stop money grubbing by local councils. Of course it's a bit of a toss up though, as illegal parking can be dangerous, so what's the best way to handle it?

Image Source: Mike Fleming

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