London councils are set to raise parking fines for the first time in ten years. Mayor Sadiq Khan approved the request to hike charges by £30 across the board, in an attempt to deter people from parking on pavements. The maximum penalty charge would be raised to £160. This follows a request from the capital’s 33 boroughs to hike the cost of penalty charge notices (PCNs) in a bid to create more of a deterrent to “anti-social and obstructive parking”.
One of the biggest issues mentioned by people was the amount of parking on pavements that went unpunished. Under the changes approved by Sir Sadiq, all types of parking ticket issued by the capital’s boroughs will increase by £30.
Higher level charges in “band A” areas – typically inner London or suburban town centres – will increase from £130 to £160, and from £110 to £140 in “band B” areas. Higher-band penalties apply to contraventions that are considered more serious, such as parking on yellow lines or where an obstruction is caused. Lower level charges – which tend to be imposed when drivers overstay the amount of time they have paid to park in a car park or in an on-street parking bay – will increase from £80 to £110 in “band A” areas and from £60 to £90 in “band B” areas.
Drivers who pay within 14 days will continue to receive a 50 per cent discount.
Fines imposed parking in bus lanes and for “moving traffic” offences – such as stopping within a yellow box junction or making a banned turn – will increase from £130 to £160.
The changes will bring the highest level fines in line with Transport for London’s £160 fines for parking on a “red route” or in a TfL bus lane. Following the mayor’s approval on February 5, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has a month to raise objections.
If agreed, this will be the first time the Government has approved an increase in London parking fines since 2010.
Sir Sadiq sounds faintly ridiculous doesn’t it?
