New parking law changes could see drivers face massive penalties for common violations
More expensive Band A parking fines can be handed out in the City of London
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London could move into becoming the most expensive place for parking fines in the UK as local authorities mull over future changes.
London Councils’ Transport and Environment Committee (TEC) are currently in consultation over whether the capital should have Band A parking fines only.
The city has two types of parking fines. Band A sees a lower parking charge of ÂŁ80 and a higher of ÂŁ130, whereas Band B has a maximum fine of ÂŁ110 and a lower of ÂŁ60.
The higher level of penalties applies to parking incidents which are considered more serious, such as parking on yellow lines or where an obstruction is caused.
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Fines can be reduced by half if paid within 14 days
GETTYLower-level penalties apply where parking is permitted but the regulations are contravened, such as overstaying on a pay and display bay.
Drivers can have fines reduced by 50 per cent if paid within 14 days or 21 days if the PCN was issued by a CCTV operation.
Band B is primarily designed to apply outside of the City of London while Band A covers Hammersmith and Fulham, Kensington and Chelsea, Westminster, Camden, Islington, Hackney, Newham and Tower Hamlets.
It also covers the north of Wandsworth, Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham, the south of Waltham Forest, and the West of Greenwich and Barking and Dagenham. It also covers the town centres of a number of outer London boroughs.
Band A fines are more expensive than those in Band B due to the higher demand for parking in Band A areas, according to Transport for London.
Last year, a Councillor stated his interest in all authorities having only Band A parking to make it fairer, to which the committee responded.
The TEC which is responsible for setting parking, bus lane and moving traffic penalty charges on roads controlled by London boroughs said it was currently looking into this recommendation.
The Committee told GB News that it is currentlyanalysing results from a full public consultation on parking and traffic enforcement penalty charges in London.
It added that any recommendations regarding possible changes to the current levels are yet to be determined.
Last year, local authorities issued 46,662 parking fines on average with five London councils issuing the most.
The London Borough of Newham Council, which is in Band A, issued a staggering 257,788 fines with failure to park in a resident’s space without having or clearly displaying a valid permit as the main cause for fines.
Islington Council, which is in Band B, issued 73,204 fines to drivers while the London Borough of Lewisham, also in Band A, handed out 216,673 fines.
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Councils across the UK handed out 46,662 parking fines last year
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The consultation is expected to conclude this year with the London Councils set to announce the outcome imminently.