Latest news with #UltraLowEmissionZones
The Irish Sun
18-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
Major blow for millions of drivers as parking fines could rocket by a whopping 75% – exceeding penalty for shoplifting
MILLIONS of drivers could face paying 75 per cent more on parking fines - exceeding penalty charges for shoplifters. Local governments have called on Westminster to increase the levies amid concerns they are "no longer fit for purpose". Advertisement 1 Millions of drivers could face paying 75 per cent more on parking fines Credit: Getty But, this could all change after Lilian Greenwood, a transport minister, announced the parking levies outside of London were under review. The British Parking Association (BPA) has called on ministers to review these penalty charges, which it said have remained "unchanged for over 15 years". Advertisement Read more on Motors He told the 'It's the latest slap in the face of our working people, who are already feeling the pinch thanks to Rachel Reeves's jobs tax. 'We have exposed Labour's attempts to sneak this in via the back door and will fight the Government to protect drivers at every step.' Advertisement Most read in Motors Live Blog Exclusive Edmund King, the president of the AA, said: 'Drivers have become the go-to for local authorities to source more funding – environmental charges, workplace parking levies, congestion charges, hikes in residents' parking permit costs and fines. 'Now we have the crazy situation where a parking fine may exceed the fine for shoplifting, criminal damage or being drunk and disorderly. Man can't get his cars out of his driveway after city blocks him in – & one of his rides is parked in an unsafe spot "The punishment needs to fit the crime, not the financial needs of councils.' The Department for Transport said no decisions have been made. Advertisement A spokesperson said: "This is untrue – we have no plans to introduce higher caps for parking fines. 'We are a government firmly on the side of drivers and we fully expect councils only to use penalty charge notices as a deterrent for law-breaking – not as a way to raise funds.' Full list of the councils that issued the most fines in 2024 Manchester City Council 464,880 Waltham Forest Borough Council 264,817 Ealing Borough Council 227,280 Barking and Dagenham Council 213,059 Enfield Council 192,437 Liverpool City Council 170,935 Merton Borough Council 140,818 Reading Borough Council 127,519 Coventry City Council 104,502 Richmond upon Thames Borough Council 101,334 Earlier this year, Data from the experts at revealed the councils that issued the highest number of fines last year as a warning to drivers to pay extra attention to where they leave their vehicles. Advertisement Manchester City Council topped the rankings as the authority that issued the most parking fines throughout 2024, handing out over 460,000 tickets. Although Manchester is a tourist hotspot, with two Premier League football teams, it may be surprising to many that the city issued more fines than every council in London. The capital has strict Ultra Low Emission Zones (ULEZ), public transport lanes and limited public parking offering. Dorry Potter, vehicle expert at National Scrap Car, said: 'While we would expect to see high levels of fines in a large city like Manchester, it is interesting to see that it outperforms the capital in penalties. Advertisement 'The complexities of driving in London alongside its expansive public transport infrastructure could be a reason behind Manchester topping the list as motorists are less likely to attempt driving around areas they are unfamiliar with in the capital and thus not make risky parking decisions.' The Arndale shopping centre car park, one of Manchester's top shopping locations, was the spot where drivers picked up the most tickets, with 17,356 PCNs handed out. All those fines accounted for over £14.6 million of revenue for the Manchester City Council over double what the second-highest fining council made.
Yahoo
15-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Man slapped with £625 ULEZ fine despite driving an electric car
A man with a new personalised number plate has been hit with more than £600 in emissions charges - despite driving a fully electric vehicle. Grandad Keith Riding was gifted a personalised number plate for his electric MG ZS car by his children at Christmas. The 76-year-old, who lives in Hampton - on the southwestern outskirts of London's ULEZ zone - registered his new plate with the DVLA and signed up for autopay with Transport for London (TfL) in case he needed to enter central London's Congestion Zone. But Mr Riding - who bought his electric vehicle after the ULEZ zone was expanded in 2023 - was shocked to discover recently that £625 has been taken from his bank account by the transport authority since he got his new number plate. The car meets all ULEZ requirements. (Image: Keith Riding / SWNS) The retired civil engineer was charged twice for entering the capital's Low Emission Zone (LEZ) and twice for being caught in the Ultra Low Emission Zones (ULEZ) - despite his car being fully electric and therefore exempt from such charges. Mr Riding believes the previous owner of the registration plate, possibly from Northern Ireland, used a commercial vehicle, which may be why he's been charged. "It's a funny thing," he said. "I've had this electric car for two years and was given a new numberplate for Christmas - all registered with the DVLA. "But recently I suddenly found myself being debited for £625. It was a shock. The car is little used and the charge transpired to be for just two days. "What that entails is £300 for the vehicle going into the Lez zone twice, and £12.50 for going into the ULEZ zone twice. There are no emissions charges for electric vehicles, but the congestion charge in central London does apply. "I registered for auto payment with TfL as I expect to occasionally enter the congestion zone for my medical condition treatment. "The only reason I registered was in case I go into the Congestion Zone. "If I'd been caught on a camera every day, I could have a £9,000 bill at the end of the month." Mr Riding added that his car is even listed on his TfL account as an 'MG ZS SE EV' - with the final two initials indicating that his vehicle is electric. "A previous owner of the plates would have been a commercial vehicle that would probably have never been near London," he continued. "The number plate ends with a Z, which is common for plates in Northern Ireland. TfL has since refunded all fines. (Image: Keith Riding / SWNS) "On seeing my bank statement I phoned TfL, expecting an apology and speedy reimbursement - but not a bit of it. I was merely advised to make an online enquiry." TfL confirmed that the issue had now been resolved and that they had been in contact with Mr Riding. A spokesperson said: "We are sorry that Mr Riding has incorrectly received ULEZ and LEZ charges when his vehicle is compliant. Recommended Reading Anyone who meets these requirements is exempt from paying the ULEZ charge Calls for ULEZ to be scrapped and replaced with Paris limited traffic zone The ULEZ expansion 1 year on - some want to flee London while others 'happy' with it "We have refunded all the charges and have contacted him to apologise for the inconvenience this has caused.' Mr Riding added: "I do have hopes that reimbursement of my funds will eventually be forthcoming, but it's proving a warning as to what could happen with a new plate. "Several more daily charges of £312.50 would drain me of thousands of pounds with impunity."
