Drivers have been warned of new parking charges coming into effect across London as Sadiq Khan looks to increase the penalty fees for millions.
Reports suggest the London Mayor approved changes to the penalty rate for parking fees across London with drivers now set to face higher charges.
Under the rule changes, parking penalties will increase to up to £160 with all boroughs set to pay the higher rate in a bid to crack down on "anti-social and obstructive parking".
The increase in rates follows a consultation launched which sought views from London councils on the impact parking charges hike would have across the capital.
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Sadiq Khan approved the parking changes in February following a consultation period
PA
In December last year, analysis of the consultation found that there was scope to change the parking charging structure which is currently split into two rates and has remained stagnant for 14 years.
Band A sees drivers hit with higher parking tariffs of £130, and a lower rate of £80 for parking infringements while Band B has a charge of £110 for its higher rate and £60 for its lower rate.
Across London, the bands have varied with drivers charged differently, but under new plans approved by Khan, councils will be able to charge the highest rate of £130 for parking penalties.
The higher-band penalties usually apply to more serious parking issues such as parking on yellow lines or in a manner which causes an obstruction.
Lower-level charges often involve minor offences such as overstaying an allotted parking time in a car park, although drivers could now be fined £110.
Fines for parking in bus lanes as well as other "moving traffic" offences including entering a yellow box junction will see drivers slapped with a £130 penalty.
The London Council documents detailed: "It has been 14 years since parking, bus lane and moving traffic penalty charges were last reviewed by the TEC (in 2010) and there is evidence of a link between failure to follow the rules and PCNs being seen as a ‘financial’ deterrent by motorists.
"95 per cent of the road network in London is managed by the boroughs, and with around two billion car journeys made each year, parking and traffic management is essential for maintaining the movement of traffic and safety of all road users."
The changes to parking fines were approved earlier this month but have already been met with mixed views including from Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander who raised objections.
The report explained that London boroughs continue to see complaints relating to anti-social and obstructive parking increasing.
It detailed how 50 per cent of respondents to the parking changes were concerned about the level of dangerous and inconsiderate parking.
Despite councils wanting to crack down on poor parking, nearly half of respondents to the consultation were against increasing the parking fines with many warning against the financial burden it could cause drivers.
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Parking rates have been split into two rates with Band A charging more for traffic infringements
LONDON COUNCILS
The document added: "London Councils wanted to review how parking and traffic management can continue to be most effective in delivering some of its key benefits, such as improving road safety for all London residents and visitors, through promoting positive behaviour change from motorists, reducing congestion and journey times as more obstructions to free-flowing traffic and reducing carbon emissions."
