Government 'considers increasing parking fines outside of London'

Date: 9/7/2013

Motorists outside of London could be facing the prospect of higher parking fines after Transport Minister Norman Baker revealed the Government is considering increasing the existing £70 cap.

Drivers in the capital currently run the risk of being hit with a £130 penalty for flouting parking regulations - and the Minister believes the rest of the country should be brought in line with London.

Addressing a House of Commons Transport Committee, Mr Baker said: "There is an argument that the maximum charge has not moved in a number of years.

"It can also be argued that if the cost of legitimate parking rises to such a degree that the penalty no longer becomes a deterrent, then that should be looked at."

However, the Minister conceded that any attempts to hike parking fines throughout the country would be met with opposition, admitting that they could have a negative impact on town centres.

Despite the potential pitfalls, the British Parking Association echoed Mr Baker's comments, saying "there is an urgent need to change these penalty charges" in order to ensure they continue to act as a suitable deterrent.

The organisation added that taxpayers are carrying the costs associated with parking enforcement and that increasing fines would improve the effectiveness of local transport policies.

Yet AA President Edmund King voiced fierce opposition to the proposals, arguing that local authorities may see the chance to enforce higher charges as an opportunity to raise revenue rather than manage congestion on the roads.

He also explained that the high costs of fuel and insurance are continuing to have a detrimental impact on motorists' finances, saying: "Just keeping the car running is a struggle for them."

As yet, there is no indication of what the Government review of parking fines is expected to conclude when it is eventually published.

Posted by Sarah Bailey

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