The Government has announced it is 'carefully considering' the findings of a trial in which a council increased parking fines to £160, potentially doubling the current penalty. Ministers believe the existing £70 cap on tickets issued by councils outside London may no longer serve as a sufficient deterrent for rogue parkers and are reviewing their 'effectiveness'.
Political Backlash
Labour and the Liberal Democrats, who run Bournemouth Council where the one-month trial occurred, have been accused by the Conservatives of declaring war on drivers. The Tories claim the move is a plot to 'fleece' motorists. The AA has also criticised the proposal, arguing that a £160 fine would penalise badly parked drivers more severely than vandals or shoplifters.
Support from Councils
Cash-strapped councils and the parking industry back the increase to £160, noting that the penalty level has not been raised since 2008. Supporters argue that inflation has eroded the deterrent effect of the current fine.
In a related poll, Daily Mail readers were asked: 'Should pro-Palestine marches be banned, after latest anti-Semitic terror attack?' Out of more than 9,000 votes, 93 per cent said 'yes' and 7 per cent said 'no'. Now it's time to have your say in the latest poll on parking fines.
