If I have to park in the Northern end of town, I use the Northcroft multi storey. I have to say though it is far from a pleasant experience. When one pulls up to the entrance barrier and the button is pressed, one waits and waits and waits for the ticket to issue and the barrier lift. It took so long on Wednesday that I thought the barrier was faulty and backed out. Fortunately there was nobody behind me, so I tried the parallel entrance. Same thing. I pressed the help button and a voice asked what was on the display. "It says wait" I replied. "Well that's what you need to do " the voice replied. The same thing with getting out, that is if one can find a working pay machine, slow slow slow and frustrating. The lifts are invariably out of order or reduced to one working which means a treck up the stairs with the shopping bags. What an attraction for the shoppers wanting to use that end of town.
Thanks for that Brian! I thought it was just me and when ever I've come home and moaned to the Mrs she's just put it down to grumpy old git syndrome. Have printed it off and stuck it on her wall board...
Do you know what, I can't believe how long the lifts have been 'temporarily out of order' in the Northcroft car park and still the wait for the barriers is interminable. WBC get shed loads of money from us as we have to pay for everything these days so it's about time they did something in the town centre car park to bring it up to standard.
Do you know what, I can't believe how long the lifts have been 'temporarily out of order' in the Northcroft car park and still the wait for the barriers is interminable. WBC get shed loads of money from us as we have to pay for everything these days so it's about time they did something in the town centre car park to bring it up to standard.
Suspect the maintenance contract is with the firm that maintains the Robin Hood traffic lights with such distinction! makes me wonder if any of the heros in Market place office who manage these contracts, ever get off their seats and take a look.
Do you know what, I can't believe how long the lifts have been 'temporarily out of order' in the Northcroft car park and still the wait for the barriers is interminable. WBC get shed loads of money from us as we have to pay for everything these days so it's about time they did something in the town centre car park to bring it up to standard.
i believe its either using the car park without lifts, or closing it completely for safety...which would you prefer?
I hate to wade into this one so late, but I can only apologise for the delay with the lifts.
The fault is in our contractors hands, and is being dealt with a speedily as possible. This certainly isn't a position we want to be in, but the only other thing we can do is close the car park completely, with isn't feasible as Northbrook is a popular car park for shoppers using the northern end of the town. If you need the use of a lift in a car park, then i suggest using Kennet Centre Car Park (which has 4 recently refurbished lifts) or use one of our many surface car parks in the area.
Making the ground floor disabled parkers only would require a change of the legal parking order, and the installation of lines and signs, which would not come cheap. As a temporary measure, the cost would be too high.
Cheers. Do the contractors have a service level agreement; that is to say: an agreed time for remedial action?
BTW greenmeanie61, if you are genuine, and I have no reason to believe you are not, I think it is a good thing that authorities join boards like these, even if it is in a 'without prejudice' capacity. I would like to see more of it, yet, it seems a number of bodies are rather shy to do so.
I hate to wade into this one so late, but I can only apologise for the delay with the lifts.
The fault is in our contractors hands, and is being dealt with a speedily as possible. This certainly isn't a position we want to be in, but the only other thing we can do is close the car park completely, with isn't feasible as Northbrook is a popular car park for shoppers using the northern end of the town. If you need the use of a lift in a car park, then i suggest using Kennet Centre Car Park (which has 4 recently refurbished lifts) or use one of our many surface car parks in the area.
Making the ground floor disabled parkers only would require a change of the legal parking order, and the installation of lines and signs, which would not come cheap. As a temporary measure, the cost would be too high.
No, its in your hands - who manages the contract! Wish I could do the same to my customers!!!
No, its in your hands - who manages the contract! Wish I could do the same to my customers!!!
I suspect that parts are now hard to get. This happens and there isn't much, short of an upgrade, that anyone can do. It also comes down to whatever the SLA states.
BTW greenmeanie61, if you are genuine, and I have no reason to believe you are not, I think it is a good thing that authorities join boards like these, even if it is in a 'without prejudice' capacity. I would like to see more of it, yet, it seems a number of bodies are rather shy to do so.
Too many WuMs and too much cheap journalistic exaggeration have totally wrecked any chances of that, I'd wager.
So, when the barrier doesn't lift and you press the help button, who is it that is on the loudspeaker who grudginly tells you that if the screen says wait then you have to wait. That's yet another level of council employee I wager.
It is precisely because of those things that I think the authorities should have a presence on these and other similar forums.
I think the bottom line is if a forum is full of WuMs and journalistic exaggeration then it shouldn't be expected to be taken seriously.
I'm not singling out this forum for special criticism, in fact it's not criticism at all as people have every right to parody and have a good moan about the authorities. It's just the nature of the medium that local forums largely tend to be this way and as a result aren't a place for sensible discussion, on the whole.
Lifts:- Old Goat, with respect, you don't know all the facts. When the lifts are awaiting repair, the Parking department no longer directly manages the problem, and we wait for other departments to do their job. We can only wait for the engineers to say, "They're working again now!" The council hires lots of external contractors nowadays to save money, so its actually in their hands...we're just staff. If it was up to me, i'd be chasing up the issue everyday, until it gets resolved, but it just doesn't work like that!!
The lifts were installed with the car park in 1989, and parts are a nightmare to obtain. A lift replacement scheme would cost hundreds of thousands, which isn't pratical in the current economic climate in West Berkshire Council. Besides, its not the lifts, but the help buttons inside...
Brian:- A CEO is always on the other end of the help button to assist. But, if the display says "Please Wait", what else to you expect us to do? The wait is never more than 30 seconds (that is a fact) which is a little annoying i suppose, but its not a massive amount of time is it? We are also reliant on the computer system, which is generally automatic. We can't override it in terms of ticket printing, so everyone must display patience. I apologise, but not much
Greenham:- I've taken it upon myself to join, only to try and correct peoples sometimes strange opinions about parking and the council. I wish there was an official West Berkshire presence on here, if only to be more accessible to the general public, but I can never see that happening. As soon as I rumbled (if I am) I'm off!!
I think the bottom line is if a forum is full of WuMs and journalistic exaggeration then it shouldn't be expected to be taken seriously.
I'm not sure. I would imagine there are a number of people who read and don't post who would accept what they read as some sort of truth. I think it is incumbent for the authorities to debunk where appropriate. Another thread I know, but it is is only a point.
I'm not sure. I would imagine there are a number of people who read and don't post who would accept what they read as some sort of truth. I think it is incumbent for the authorities to debunk where appropriate. Another thread I know, but it is is only a point.
I'm not sure. I would imagine there are a number of people who read and don't post who would accept what they read as some sort of truth. I think it is incumbent for the authorities to debunk where appropriate. Another thread I know, but it is is only a point.
I'm not sure many of our authorities would have the resources to do this nor that they'd wish to act as some sort of thought police and attempt to debunk everything that could be debated as truth or not.
I'm not sure many of our authorities would have the resources to do this nor that they'd wish to act as some sort of thought police and attempt to debunk everything that could be debated as truth or not.
If they admitted when they get it wrong they would receive more trust from the public - as it is they wriggle and worm and twist the statistics to try and cover themselves - and User23 is a master of this.
As for other council employees at least Sparticus (who under his previous name I believe admitted to working for a different council) tries to give an alternative view with such distortion. Lets hope Greenmeanie61 takes that latter approach.
Welcome to the boards GM and thank you for putting your head above the parapet!
As for other council employees at least Spartacus (who under his previous name I believe admitted to working for a different council) tries to give an alternative view with such distortion. Lets hope Greenmeanie61 takes that latter approach.
Welcome to the boards GM and thank you for putting your head above the parapet!
I'm not sure many of our authorities would have the resources to do this nor that they'd wish to act as some sort of thought police and attempt to debunk everything that could be debated as truth or not.
I'm not talking about thought police, nor trying to debunk everything. Only those things that raise possible public concern that can be corrected. They need not get involved in everything; they couldn't, but only where there is some genuine misinformation or confusion. I see forums like this and others as another medium that communication can be forged. I am certain these, and other forums, are monitored more than you suggest user23.3.
I'm not talking about thought police, nor trying to debunk everything. Only those things that raise possible public concern that can be corrected. They need not get involved in everything; they couldn't, but only where there is some genuine misinformation or confusion. I see forums like this and others as another medium that communication can be forged. I am certain these, and other forums, are monitored more than you suggest user23.3.
I'm not suggesting they're not monitored, I know there are a number of companies that make a living from monitoring forums like this and then produce a rating system from their results.
I'm just saying that it would be a waste of resources and a worrying move if they were to employ someone to correct everything seen on a local forum, just as it would be employing people to go from pub to pub "correcting" people opinions.
I'm not suggesting they're not monitored, I know there are a number of companies that make a living from monitoring forums like this and then produce a rating system from their results.
I'm just saying that it would be a waste of resources and a worrying move if they were to employ someone to correct everything seen on a local forum, just as it would be employing people to go from pub to pub "correcting" people opinions.
A waste in your opinion, but it would not be the same as a person going from pub to pub. That is personal, where as this is global. I'm not sure why it might be a worry, but most places have departments or people that are charged with public relations; it is not a full time job in this instance. The NWN has periodic responses from councillors, so I see no problem with this method.
A waste in your opinion, but it would not be the same as a person going from pub to pub. That is personal, where as this is global. I'm not sure why it might be a worry, but most places have departments or people that are charged with public relations; it is not a full time job in this instance. The NWN has periodic responses from councillors, so I see no problem with this method.
It's all personal opinion one broadcast across the pub, the other broadcast across the world. The authorities should not be employing people who's role is to "correct" personal opinion.
If a media organisation publishes something that is untrue or illegal that's a different matter.
I suspect that parts are now hard to get. This happens and there isn't much, short of an upgrade, that anyone can do. It also comes down to whatever the SLA states.
Then again its down to contract management. If we are paying for a low service level,nothing wrong with that, save WBC should admit it and let users know what's going on. Why should parts be hard to get? - the lifts installed are very common indeed. If that were the case, then half the lifts in the Country would be out of action.
The authorities should not be employing people who's role is to "correct" personal opinion.
Maybe not, but it wouldn't be a full-time job...for anyone. It also wouldn't be solely to correct opinion, but merely an extra medium with which to engage the public. Things that a press officer, or similar, would do as a part of their usual duties.
Lifts:- Old Goat, with respect, you don't know all the facts. When the lifts are awaiting repair, the Parking department no longer directly manages the problem, and we wait for other departments to do their job. We can only wait for the engineers to say, "They're working again now!" The council hires lots of external contractors nowadays to save money, so its actually in their hands...we're just staff. If it was up to me, i'd be chasing up the issue everyday, until it gets resolved, but it just doesn't work like that!!
The lifts were installed with the car park in 1989, and parts are a nightmare to obtain. A lift replacement scheme would cost hundreds of thousands, which isn't pratical in the current economic climate in West Berkshire Council. Besides, its not the lifts, but the help buttons inside...
Brian:- A CEO is always on the other end of the help button to assist. But, if the display says "Please Wait", what else to you expect us to do? The wait is never more than 30 seconds (that is a fact) which is a little annoying i suppose, but its not a massive amount of time is it? We are also reliant on the computer system, which is generally automatic. We can't override it in terms of ticket printing, so everyone must display patience. I apologise, but not much
Greenham:- I've taken it upon myself to join, only to try and correct peoples sometimes strange opinions about parking and the council. I wish there was an official West Berkshire presence on here, if only to be more accessible to the general public, but I can never see that happening. As soon as I rumbled (if I am) I'm off!!
I personally manage a large number of contracts. However, I actually monitor whats going on and where there are delays apply pressure. That's called 'contract management'. Much of private industry works like that. For lifts, 1989 is very recent - someone is spinning a line. Our office block in Central London has three lifts - one dated 1911, the other two 1968. All safe all maintained regularly all working.
Without teaching the Council Staff to suck eggs, might be worth looking at the management processes and starting to challenge the contractors. Of course the lift needs replacing....would you like a quote!
It's all personal opinion one broadcast across the pub, the other broadcast across the world. The authorities should not be employing people who's role is to "correct" personal opinion.
If a media organisation publishes something that is untrue or illegal that's a different matter.
We aren't asking for opinions to be "corrected" but the facts where they have been wrongly portrayed - of course perhaps those that complain here have their facts correct, and as usual in your embarressment on your employers behalf you are trying to gloss over the facts!
I personally manage a large number of contracts. However, I actually monitor whats going on and where there are delays apply pressure. That's called 'contract management'. Much of private industry works like that. For lifts, 1989 is very recent - someone is spinning a line. Our office block in Central London has three lifts - one dated 1911, the other two 1968. All safe all maintained regularly all working.
Without teaching the Council Staff to suck eggs, might be worth looking at the management processes and starting to challenge the contractors. Of course the lift needs replacing....would you like a quote!
Im not going to engage in silly point scoring with other members. The lifts are being sorted as quickly as possible. The council apologies profusely. End of. If you think otherwise, then perhaps you actually work for the lift contractors or the Facilities department of the council, in which case you probably know more than I do? (but I guess not, eh?)
Im not going to engage in silly point scoring with other members. The lifts are being sorted as quickly as possible. The council apologies profusely. End of. If you think otherwise, then perhaps you actually work for the contractors or the Facilities department of the council, and know more than I do? (but I guess not, eh?)
Thank you. However, I think you've wholly missed the point. This isn't being personal but it really does not answer the question. Why is it taking so long to fix the lifts? What has been said so far does tend to suggest and again I'll say this carefully, that there has been little focus on 'making it happen'. Yes, its in hand and yes, if the Council managers are too busy with other higher priority stuff - OK let us know. If we think the priority is wrong, we can then start talking to local councillors; either to alter priority calls or provide more resource. I do not work directly for the Council but I do know how they and their contractors operate. I agree one thing - its futile to continue this particular debate here.
The problem isn't easlily diagnosable. It's not as simple as a broken cable or jammed door unfortunatley, I wish it were! The issue is with the help point communication system, and I think that we are trying to repair it, rather than replace the entire system (which would obviously cost more money than waiting for it to be repaired, and of course, these days, its all about money) Because the lifts are old, as previously stated, it is delaying the process. We have had engineers visit the site numerous times in the last few weeks, and I'm sure that if they could have, they would have repaired them by now.
Some people (not neccessarily you, Old Goat) assume that if they don't see any action, then nothing is happening. Quite the opposite. We have the contractors' best guys working on the problem, but we're not their only customers as I'm sure you understand.
I want them working as quickly as possible, just like you. I use the car park too!!!!
The problem isn't easlily diagnosable. It's not as simple as a broken cable or jammed door unfortunatley, I wish it were! The issue is with the help point communication system, and I think that we are trying to repair.
The problem is that should the lift jam with passengers inside, they have no way of contacting anyone to get help. Anyone with an ounce of telecom knowledge could probably install a new system to resolve the problem for less than £1000.00.
The problem is that WBC seem to use contractors/equipment that outdate very quickly.
Let me give you another example (not quite as technology intensive as a lift telephone) You may have noticed a serious deterioration of the cobbles in the Market Place. In fact in several areas they have been replaced with tarmac. The reason that we have to wait so long for the repairs to be undertaken is that a specialist team from Portugal have to be employed to rectify the situation (before the winter frosts set in and the whole thing cracks up). I understand that this specialist team will be appearing on site in mid September.
If a seat in the Market Place is damaged and needs replacing, we have to wait six months for a new one to be imported from China.
The problem isn't easlily diagnosable. It's not as simple as a broken cable or jammed door unfortunatley, I wish it were! The issue is with the help point communication system, and I think that we are trying to repair it, rather than replace the entire system (which would obviously cost more money than waiting for it to be repaired, and of course, these days, its all about money) Because the lifts are old, as previously stated, it is delaying the process. We have had engineers visit the site numerous times in the last few weeks, and I'm sure that if they could have, they would have repaired them by now.
Some people (not neccessarily you, Old Goat) assume that if they don't see any action, then nothing is happening. Quite the opposite. We have the contractors' best guys working on the problem, but we're not their only customers as I'm sure you understand.
I want them working as quickly as possible, just like you. I use the car park too!!!!
Hope I've answered your question.
GM61
Thank you very much for that. I appreciate the explanation and yes you have answered fully.
The problem is that should the lift jam with passengers inside, they have no way of contacting anyone to get help. Anyone with an ounce of telecom knowledge could probably install a new system to resolve the problem for less than £1000.00.
The problem is that WBC seem to use contractors/equipment that outdate very quickly.
Let me give you another example (not quite as technology intensive as a lift telephone) You may have noticed a serious deterioration of the cobbles in the Market Place. In fact in several areas they have been replaced with tarmac. The reason that we have to wait so long for the repairs to be undertaken is that a specialist team from Portugal have to be employed to rectify the situation (before the winter frosts set in and the whole thing cracks up). I understand that this specialist team will be appearing on site in mid September.
If a seat in the Market Place is damaged and needs replacing, we have to wait six months for a new one to be imported from China.
I worked on contracts for many years in the private sector. Penalties were always written into the contracts to ensure things got done on time and spares and repairs were held. For some reason the Council legal team doesn't work like this.
The problem isn't easlily diagnosable. It's not as simple as a broken cable or jammed door unfortunatley, I wish it were! The issue is with the help point communication system, and I think that we are trying to repair it, rather than replace the entire system (which would obviously cost more money than waiting for it to be repaired, and of course, these days, its all about money) Because the lifts are old, as previously stated, it is delaying the process. We have had engineers visit the site numerous times in the last few weeks, and I'm sure that if they could have, they would have repaired them by now.
Some people (not neccessarily you, Old Goat) assume that if they don't see any action, then nothing is happening. Quite the opposite. We have the contractors' best guys working on the problem, but we're not their only customers as I'm sure you understand.
I want them working as quickly as possible, just like you. I use the car park too!!!!
Hope I've answered your question.
GM61
The lifts are still out of order so how long is that now.........
The lifts are still out of order so how long is that now.........
This was discussed (again) at the Town Centre Partnership meeting on Friday and we were advised by the Chief Executive that the lifts were working perfectly but they could not be allowed back into service until the problems with the telephones were resolved.
Is there anyone out there who could advise West Berkshire Council on a basic telecoms solution?
If not then the lifts will stay out of service indefinitely.
This was discussed (again) at the Town Centre Partnership meeting on Friday and we were advised by the Chief Executive that the lifts were working perfectly but they could not be allowed back into service until the problems with the telephones were resolved.
Is there anyone out there who could advise West Berkshire Council on a basic telecoms solution?
If not then the lifts will stay out of service indefinitely.
That is unbelievable and for the CEO to admit to it being such a smple but unresolved problem must be a serious dereliction of his responsibilities. Someone is dragging their heels or WBC just don't want the lifts to be in operation. Am I missing something here.
That is unbelievable and for the CEO to admit to it being such a smple but unresolved problem must be a serious dereliction of his responsibilities. Someone is dragging their heels or WBC just don't want the lifts to be in operation. Am I missing something here.
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