Motorists 'could be fined for displaying more than one parking voucher'

Date: 27/1/2010

Motorists could be faced with penalty fines if they leave old pay-and-display tickets on their dashboard or window, according to reports.

Council traffic wardens are entitled under legislation to issue motorists with penalties if they have paid for parking but forgotten to remove outdated tickets from view.

A total of 265 councils currently have powers to enforce parking fines and keep the proceeds.

One council that issues fines to motorists who display more than one parking voucher is the city of London Corporation, whose website states: "If more than one ticket is visible, the civil enforcement officer will issue a penalty charge notice and it is unlikely that we will withdraw it."

Parking expert Barrie Segal told the Daily Mail: "It is this type of enforcement which convinces motorists that it is not about traffic congestion, traffic flow or safety but just old-fashioned greed to line the council's coffers."

A spokesperson from the Department for Transport stated the regulation is in place to prevent people extending the amount of time they can park beyond the maximum permitted.

In related news, companies that allow road works to run past deadline could receive fines under a new initiative introduced this week by the Department for Transport.