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Eric Pickles Attacks Councils Putting Motorists Off High Streets

Eric Pickles Attacks Councils Putting Motorists Off High Streets
The Daily Telegraph
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 15: Eric Pickles, the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, leaves television studios near Parliament on January 15, 2013 in London, England. The European Court of Human Rights has passed judgement on four individuals who claim their employers discriminated against them for their Christan beliefs. When questioned on the ruling Mr Pickles said that in the UK 'There has been a degree of aggressive secularism'. The court ruled that Nadia Eweida's rights had been violated after her employer, British Airways, prevented her from visibly wearing a religious cross pendant on a necklace. However, three other Christians, nurse Shirley Chaplin, marriage counsellor Gary McFarlane and registrar Lillian Ladele all had their claims declined. (Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images)
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Eric Pickles has hit out at councils over the “anti-car dogma” that he warns is contributing to the death of Britain’s traditional high streets.

Mr Pickles, the Communities and Local Government Secretary, said that “draconian” parking policies and pointless “street clutter” have led to motorists abandoning town centres.

He is calling on local authorities to ban speed bumps and parking bollards that put people off travelling to local shops.

Town Halls must also reduce parking charges that “undermine the vitality of town centres”, Mr Pickles added.

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