Motorists have been warned they will face higher parking penalties from today as new charges come into effect across the capital.
The increased fines begin today and represent the first major adjustment to penalty charges since 2010 and act as a further deterrent to stop drivers from breaking traffic rules.
Drivers will now be forced to pay up to £30 more for parking infringements throughout the capital's 32 boroughs and the City of London.
The changes were approved by the London Council Transport and Environment Committee earlier this year and will see the highest penalties climb to £160 in central London and other busy areas.
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The new penalty structure divides London into two bands, with steeper fines applying to the busiest areas of the capital.
The increases affect all types of parking contraventions, with both higher and lower-level penalties seeing substantial rises across both Band A and Band B areas.
In Band A areas, which include central London and major town centres, higher level penalties have increased to £160, up from the previous rate. Lower level penalties in these areas now stand at £110.
For Band B areas, covering outer London boroughs, higher level penalties have risen to £140. Lower level penalties in Band B areas are now £90.
Higher penalties will apply to more serious contraventions, such as parking on yellow lines or causing an obstruction. These are considered more disruptive to traffic flow and safety.
Lower-level penalties are issued when parking is permitted but regulations are contravened, such as overstaying in a pay and display bay.
The distinction ensures that the most disruptive violations in the busiest areas face the steepest penalties.
Band A covers 17 boroughs including Barnet, Brent, Camden, City of London, Croydon, Ealing, Enfield, Greenwich, Hackney, Hammersmith & Fulham, Haringey, Hounslow, Islington, Kensington & Chelsea, Merton, Newham, Redbridge, Tower Hamlets, Waltham Forest and City of Westminster.
Additional areas under Band A include the northern parts of Wandsworth, Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham, the western section of Barking and Dagenham, and town centres of several Outer London boroughs.
The remaining areas of London operate under Band B regulations, which apply slightly lower penalty charges. Bus lane and moving traffic contraventions will also increase to £160 across all London boroughs, regardless of whether they fall under Band A or Band B.
The geographical split ensures that penalties are proportionate to the level of disruption caused in different areas of the capital.
Drivers who pay early can benefit from a 50 per cent discount, though the reduced amounts have also increased in line with the new penalty levels. In Band A, early payment reduces the £160 higher penalty to £80, while the £110 lower penalty drops to £55.
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For Band B areas, early payment of the £140 higher penalty costs £70, with the £90 lower penalty reduced to £45 if paid promptly.
Additional fees for vehicle enforcement have also seen substantial increases. The release fee for vehicles that have been wheel-clamped has risen from £70 to £100. Motorists whose vehicles are taken to a car pound now face a £280 release fee, up from the previous £200.
Meanwhile, daily storage fees have increased by 37.5 per cent, from £40 to £55 per day. The disposal fee for unclaimed vehicles has risen from £70 to £100.
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The increased fines begin today and represent the first major adjustment to penalty charges since 2010 and act as a further deterrent to stop drivers from breaking traffic rules.
Drivers will now be forced to pay up to £30 more for parking infringements throughout the capital's 32 boroughs and the City of London.
The changes were approved by the London Council Transport and Environment Committee earlier this year and will see the highest penalties climb to £160 in central London and other busy areas.
Do you have a story you'd like to share? Get in touch by emailing [email protected]
The new penalty structure divides London into two bands, with steeper fines applying to the busiest areas of the capital.
The increases affect all types of parking contraventions, with both higher and lower-level penalties seeing substantial rises across both Band A and Band B areas.
In Band A areas, which include central London and major town centres, higher level penalties have increased to £160, up from the previous rate. Lower level penalties in these areas now stand at £110.
For Band B areas, covering outer London boroughs, higher level penalties have risen to £140. Lower level penalties in Band B areas are now £90.
Higher penalties will apply to more serious contraventions, such as parking on yellow lines or causing an obstruction. These are considered more disruptive to traffic flow and safety.
Lower-level penalties are issued when parking is permitted but regulations are contravened, such as overstaying in a pay and display bay.
The distinction ensures that the most disruptive violations in the busiest areas face the steepest penalties.
Band A covers 17 boroughs including Barnet, Brent, Camden, City of London, Croydon, Ealing, Enfield, Greenwich, Hackney, Hammersmith & Fulham, Haringey, Hounslow, Islington, Kensington & Chelsea, Merton, Newham, Redbridge, Tower Hamlets, Waltham Forest and City of Westminster.
Additional areas under Band A include the northern parts of Wandsworth, Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham, the western section of Barking and Dagenham, and town centres of several Outer London boroughs.
The remaining areas of London operate under Band B regulations, which apply slightly lower penalty charges. Bus lane and moving traffic contraventions will also increase to £160 across all London boroughs, regardless of whether they fall under Band A or Band B.
The geographical split ensures that penalties are proportionate to the level of disruption caused in different areas of the capital.
Drivers who pay early can benefit from a 50 per cent discount, though the reduced amounts have also increased in line with the new penalty levels. In Band A, early payment reduces the £160 higher penalty to £80, while the £110 lower penalty drops to £55.
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For Band B areas, early payment of the £140 higher penalty costs £70, with the £90 lower penalty reduced to £45 if paid promptly.
Additional fees for vehicle enforcement have also seen substantial increases. The release fee for vehicles that have been wheel-clamped has risen from £70 to £100. Motorists whose vehicles are taken to a car pound now face a £280 release fee, up from the previous £200.
Meanwhile, daily storage fees have increased by 37.5 per cent, from £40 to £55 per day. The disposal fee for unclaimed vehicles has risen from £70 to £100.
Find Out More...