London Councils, the body which represents all 33 London boroughs, have agreed to raise parking and traffic penalty charges across the Capital from Monday 7 April.
Boroughs’ penalty charge notice (PCN) levels have remained unchanged since 2011 and there is concern that charge levels were not high enough to encourage compliance. The cost for providing parking and traffic management services have also increased significantly since 2011.
Following a public consultation, the decision to increase the fines and fees was made by London Councils’ Transport and Environment Committee, which is responsible for setting parking, bus lane and moving traffic penalty charges on borough roads, plus additional parking fees.
PCNs are issued when motorists do not follow parking, bus lane and moving traffic regulations.
New charges
Newham parking penalties at the higher level will increase by £30 to £160 (Band A), reduced to £80 if paid within 14 days from the date of issue of the Penalty Charge Notice.
Parking penalties at the lower level will increase by £30 to £110 (Band A) reduced to £55 if paid within 14 days from the date of issue of the Penalty Charge Notice.
Bus Lane and Moving Traffic contraventions will also increase by £30 to:
- Penalty for contraventions of bus lane regulations - £160
- Penalty for moving traffic contraventions - £160
These penalties are also reduced by 50% if paid within the discount period.
Additional Parking Fees:
- Release fee from wheel clamp = £100 from £70
- Release fee from car pound = £280 from £200
- Daily storage fee = £55 per day from £40 per day
- Disposal fee = £100 from £70.
How parking fine income is used
How parking income is used is tightly controlled under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 (as amended) and cannot be used to subsidise general expenditure. Any income from parking fines is specifically ring-fenced for environment and sustainable transport policies, including school crossing patrols, road maintenance, environmental improvements, and Freedom Passes, where the Council spends about £12million to subsidise free public transport for older and disabled residents.
