Latest news with #parkingfines
Telegraph
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Telegraph
The staggering increase in Britain's parking fines
Councils and private parking companies are fining more motorists each year than there are vehicles on the roads, The Telegraph can reveal. There were 44.8 million applications made to trace car owners in 2024/25, according to an analysis of Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) data. That is far exceeding the 33 million vehicles registered in the UK. The release of those 44 million drivers' details is nearly double the applications made six years ago, when 23 million documents were disclosed. The huge increase in DVLA applications is believed to be linked to the rollout of low traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs), as well as clean air zones and London's Ultra Low Emission Zone. The analysis, which also revealed that eight of the top 10 most local authorities accessing such data are Labour-run, came after it was estimated that motorists are annually footing £2 billion of fines. The Telegraph obtained seven years of statistics from the Government agency's Keeper At Date of Event database, which holds information about a vehicle owner. Organisations and councils can request the owner of a registration plate if they believe a vehicle is in breach of road or parking rules and restrictions. Those details are invariably used to issue penalty charge notices (PCNs). But the fact that the number of applications is higher than vehicles on the road means that details are obtained repeatedly by different authorities and organisations. The data show the number of applications lodged each year, but do not reveal whether a fine is dropped or successfully appealed. The number of applications exceeded the number of cars on the road for the first time in 2022, a year after the Tory government announced its ' green transport revolution ', encouraging councils to introduce LTNs, which ban out-of-town motorists from local roads. The total number of licence checks by local authorities rose by a third from 10.6 million in the financial year 2018/19 to 14.1 million in 2024/25. Birmingham city council – one of Europe's largest authorities with 1.2 million residents – last year applied for 831,860 keepers' details. The London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham obtained 576,000 such logs, despite being a vastly smaller council with about 185,000 residents. The Labour-run west London authority has been accused of behaving ' like Big Brother ' after it unveiled a high-tech CCTV camera network capable of raising £15 million a year from motorists and making more than £1 million in fines from just two LTNs. Bristol city council, which has no overall political party in control but introduced a clean air zone in 2022, had the third highest number, with 420,350 files obtained, Manchester City Council was fourth with 379,900, and then came the Labour-run London boroughs of Islington (355,000), Lambeth (352,700), Haringey (329,600), Hackney (316,100) and Southwark (310,100). Tenth position was held by Croydon council, where a Tory mayor once admitted he would struggle to remove the London borough's unpopular LTNs because the income raised was key to helping the cash-strapped council. Transport for London, which enforces the capital's red routes and low-emission zones, obtained more than five million vehicle ownership details in the last financial year. A Birmingham city council spokesman said its sheer size and the high number of visitors meant it would be 'expected to rank high on the list'. The city has introduced numerous LTNs and a clean air zone. A Hammersmith and Fulham council spokesman said: 'Like all busy inner London boroughs, we have the highest number of junctions and traffic volumes per mile. So it's not surprising that we inevitably end up with higher rates of rule-breaking from motorists – especially with those cutting through our borough.' A DVLA spokesman said they could not speculate on the reasons behind the rise in requests, adding: 'We take our responsibility to protect people's personal information seriously and have robust safeguards in place around the release of data. The law allows vehicle keeper details to be released to those who have a legal basis to receive it.'
Telegraph
7 days ago
- Automotive
- Telegraph
Lib Dem-led council in row with motorists over double parking fines
A seaside town is the first in the country to trial doubling parking fines in a bid to tackle summer holiday traffic chaos. Incidents of rogue parking in Bournemouth include cars left on double yellow lines, pavements, verges, roundabouts and across private driveways. But visitors appear happy to take the financial hit of a £35 fine – only marginally more than car parking charges, which can cost £20 a day. Now, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council has been given permission by the Department for Transport to double their standard parking fine to match London rates, so the minimum fine will be £70, or £140 if not paid within two weeks. The move comes just weeks after the Lib Dem-led council about-turned on implementing residents' permits in the area, following a 'tsunami' of objections over the £70 cost to residents. The trial scheme will operate throughout August, which is the seaside resort's busiest time of the year. Already over 4,000 penalty notices have been issued over three 'heatwave' weekends this year. Tom Hayes, Labour MP for Bournemouth East, said: 'The parking fine fee has been capped for 20 years and it's frustrating for everyone. 'The hope is by having such a significant increase in parking fines it can really have a deterrent effect.' At the same time, the local authority will be required to provide enough legal parking spaces to cater for visitors. Residents have previously criticised BCP Council for it's 'war on motorists', after it sold a number of beach-front car parks, reduced the number of legal spaces available, and spent £3 million on cycle lanes that make access to driveways a 'nightmare'. The council insisted there are spaces available within a short walk of the seafront which have been left unused. The trial has prompted a mixed response as some residents insist the council is still not on their side. 'We will all be stung' Jim James, a resident, said: 'Finally, about time. Let's see their faces when they realise it's not a measly £30 any longer.' Another commenter posted: 'As much as locals think this is brilliant, it isn't. We will all be stung as a result. It is all about BCP making money. 'We should be welcoming visitors during the peak season and accommodating them sufficiently. 'There is not enough adequate parking as car parks are being auctioned off to the highest bidder. There are not any sufficient park and ride schemes. Local businesses will suffer as a result.' The local authority welcomed the trial as they said they had been calling for greater powers to tackle illegal parking for six years. Cllr Millie Earl, the leader of BCP Council, said: 'We welcome the fact the Government has recognised the problem we experience in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole with illegal and irresponsible parking. 'We have been asking Governments for more than six years to let us impose higher fines and our parking team now await final details on the work required to implement the trial in time for the August 1 deadline. 'Even at our busiest last weekend, there were enough parking spaces within a short walk of the seafront across our three towns and when visitors make a choice to park illegally, we know that residents, and responsible visitors, want us to take robust enforcement action. 'We want to encourage and support visitors to our wonderful area but just ask them to consider the safety of others when parking; and a level of fines that reflects the true costs of patrolling and enforcing will help us to do this.'
The Sun
7 days ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Huge blow for over 500,000 Brits being slapped with HIGHER parking fines in new trial to tackle summer ‘chaos'
BRITS living in a seaside town will be at risk of huge parking fines this summer. Bournemouth MPs have promised to take action against cars parked illegally following growing frustration from residents. 1 The one-month trial will run throughout August and will target motors parked on pavements, roundabouts, and driveways. Under the scheme, parking fines will be drastically increased, and the prices for clamping, towing and vehicle storage will soar to London rates. The town has a population of around 500,000, of whom the fines will affect. Tom Hayes, MP for Bournemouth East, said: 'This is something I've fought for and only Bournemouth is getting a shot at a trial. "Higher fines will help to tackle the chaos we face every summer.' Jessica Toale, MP for Bournemouth West, added: 'I've been working with the government to give BCP Council greater powers to tackle the ongoing problems of illegal parking across Bournemouth – especially in the town centre and near the beaches. 'I know it's been an issue for many residents, and while it's been good to see the council taking action against selfish and irresponsible parking, the fines were minimal. 'That changes now. Transport Minister Heidi Alexander, who I recently met with in Branksome and raised this issue with, has today given BCP Council permission to trial increased Parking Charge Notices (PCNs) this summer.' Mr Hayes added: 'The parking fine fee has been capped for 20 years and it's frustrating for everyone. "After years of being forgotten in Parliament, the government is listening. 'I've fought our town's corner behind-the-scenes and persuaded the government to ease the pressure on our roads this summer.' Leader of the BCP Council, Cllr Millie Earl, said that she welcomes the battle against 'irresponsible' parking. She said that the council has been pushing for this scheme for over six years. Cllr Earl said: 'Even at our busiest last weekend, there were enough parking spaces within a short walk of the seafront across our three towns and when visitors make a choice to park illegally, we know that residents, and responsible visitors, want us to take robust enforcement action. 'During our three busiest weekends of the year we have issued more than 4,000 penalty charge notices to drivers who disregard parking restrictions for the sake of a shorter stroll to the beach. 'We want to encourage and support visitors to our wonderful area but just ask them to consider the safety of others when parking; and a level of fines that reflects the true costs of patrolling and enforcing will help us to do this." This is an issue that plagues holiday hotspots across the UK across the summer months as city-dwellers head to the beach for a much-needed break. One of the most common complaints from residents in coastal towns is visitors parking across driveways, on double yellow lines, and in resident-only zones without permits. In places like Cornwall, Dorset, and parts of North Wales, local councils have reported a sharp rise in complaints and fines issued during the summer holiday period. In some towns, emergency vehicles have even struggled to get through narrow streets due to cars parked on corners and pavements. For residents, the inconvenience is more than just a nuisance—it can mean being blocked in for hours or denied access to their own homes. Many councils have stepped up enforcement in recent years, with increased patrols and mobile ANPR (automatic number plate recognition) units. However, overstretched resources and a lack of available parking alternatives mean that the problem persists.
BBC News
17-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Bournemouth secures trial of higher parking fines
A seaside resort is set to be "the only place in the country to trial significantly higher parking fines this summer", an MP has East Labour MP Tom Hayes said the government had given the green light for a one-month pilot to run in Bournemouth throughout comes after the weekend of 12 and 13 July saw a record number of parking fines and towed away of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council, Millie Earl, said it was "pleasing that Ministers have now decided to act". The trial can only go ahead if BCP Council meets a few criteria, including demonstrating there is sufficient legal parking capacity in the area and informing the public, particularly fines will rise significantly and additional charges for clamping, towing and vehicle storage will increase to London rates, where the release fee is £ results would be used by the government to decide whether higher fines could be rolled out across the Dem MP Vikki Slade backed BCP's upcoming motion on raising fines and raised the issue in MP for Bournemouth West Jessica Toale, who also supported the campaign, said: "I know it's been an issue for many residents and, while it's been good to see the council taking action against selfish and irresponsible parking, the fines were minimal."That changes now."Mr Hayes said that "after years of being forgotten in Parliament, the government is listening".He added the town could be "setting an example for national change". Leader of BCP Council Millie Earl said: "During our three busiest weekends of the year we have issued more than 4,000 penalty charge notices to drivers who disregard parking restrictions for the sake of a shorter stroll to the beach."We want to encourage and support visitors to our wonderful area but just ask them to consider the safety of others when parking, and a level of fines that reflects the true costs of patrolling and enforcing will help us to do this." You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
RNZ News
14-07-2025
- Automotive
- RNZ News
Auckland Transport collects almost $19 million since parking fines hiked
Auckland Transport's collected almost $19 million in fines since October 2024. Photo: RNZ / Nick Monro Auckland Transport's (AT) collected almost $19 million in fines since parking penalties went up 70 percent in October last year. That's the same amount in nine months as it collected in the whole of 2024 and double what was collected the year before that. Head of Transport and Parking Compliance Rick Bidgood told Morning Report said people were "getting the message" when it came to parking fines. "Look I think they are really getting a message now when it comes to fines generically across the range, but certainly that $750 mobility infringement is quite significant." But Bidgood said there was still some people making "not great choices" despite the infringement costs, which he said were not set by Auckland Transport. "These levels are set at a national level so its nothing that Auckland Transport has any input into... We haven't had a significant fee increase for many many years so I guess they just moving things up to make it as adherent as it needs to be so people make a positive choice rather than a negative choice." There were about 140 infringements issued across Auckland per hour, which Bidgood said was relatively low in comparison to the population. He also said staff on the street were just as important as the parking cameras. "I really need the guys and girls on the street because we got about 4000 requests for service every single month where people are having issues that we attend to." Examples of issues included vehicles blocking driveways, breaking downs and abandon vehicles, he said. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
