Councils have told MPs they are prepared to treat motorists who receive parking fines due to "honest mistakes" with sympathy, but warned that some drivers repeatedly commit the same error. Westminster Council's Daniel Astaire told the Commons Transport Committee that decisions should be made in a "sensible and rational way".
The comments came amid accusations that councils are using parking fines and penalty notices to raise revenue as income from other sources declines. However, local authority officials rejected this, pointing to the low number of appeals as evidence the system is understood. In England, four million tickets were issued in 2011, with less than 1% appealed.
Tory MP Iain Stewart, who recently received a fine for parking in a resident-only bay next to a pay-and-display spot with unclear signs, argued the rules do not account for "human frailty" and called for more leeway. He received what he described as a "job's worth" letter rejecting his case.
Mr Astaire said his council always reviews cases of poor signage or accidental misreporting, but noted people who "constantly make the same honest mistake". He stated the proportion of appeals in his area fell from 15% to 5%, and enforcement costs broadly match income from fines.
Peter Box of the Local Government Association said councils act quickly to rectify mistakes, under pressure from residents. He rejected claims that early payment discounts (offered if fines are settled within two weeks) deter appeals, noting drivers still get the rebate if their appeal fails. Labour MP Louise Ellman pointed out that Nottingham does not contest 40% of appeals, suggesting errors.
Transport minister Norman Baker said it would be "heavy-handed" for ministers to intervene beyond issuing guidelines and setting maximum fines, adding there is no evidence of councils incentivising wardens to maximise income. The government is reviewing fine levels but no decision has been made.
