Boroughs to be prevented from using motorists as cash cows

The fairness of parking tickets issued to London’s motorists is to be investigated by the London Assembly. Reports of over zealous parking attendants and super keen clamping operators as well as confusing and conflicting enforcement regulations surrounding when and where to park will come under scrutiny by the Assembly’s Transport Committee.

The different ways the London Boroughs and Transport for London enforce parking controls and the amount of money raised from issuing penalty notices will also be examined to identify if they can be justified or whether motorists are just receiving a raw deal.

Good practice for controlling parking and the fairest rules for penalising motorists who stop illegally need to be identified to ensure that solving traffic problems does not end up merely as an exercise in raising money. Assembly Members will also look at the number of tickets that are appealed and how happy motorists are with the outcome.

Each borough has its own regulations and contracts for securing enforcement services. But the system has to be fair if Londoners are to accept and tolerate restrictions and charges. The Committee plans to publish its findings early next year.

Lynne Featherstone AM, Chair of the Committee, said: "It is very difficult for people driving around London to know where they can legally park their vehicles. It is time that the rules and guidance surrounding controlled parking are looked at across the capital. This move is long overdue for fed-up motorists, who could also be public transport users and pedestrians, but who believe they are being used as cash cows.

“We want to keep traffic moving but many drivers do still need to be accommodated, particularly disabled drivers and business deliveries. We hope this inquiry will highlight the reasons for variations in policy across London or unfairness in issuing tickets so the whole process is fair and seen to be fair.”

September 23, 2004