The Labour Government is reportedly considering plans to more than double parking fines outside London, following a trial in Bournemouth that saw penalties rise from £70 to £160. The proposals, which would bring non-London areas in line with the capital, have been labelled 'crazy' by motoring groups and criticised as a 'raid on drivers' by opposition politicians.
Shadow Transport Secretary Richard Holden accused the government of 'fleecing' motorists, stating: 'This is entirely about raising revenue and raiding drivers. Drivers deserve better than being picked clean on the basis of four weeks in Bournemouth.' Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice also condemned the plans, calling them 'yet another tax on working Britain'.
The trial, conducted by Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council last August, covered a seven-mile coastal stretch with 29 car parks and 543 roads. Thousands of penalty charge notices (PCNs) were issued at £160, dropping to £110 for smaller offences, with fines halved if paid within 14 days. Currently, the maximum fine outside London is £70, reduced to £50 if paid promptly.
BCP Council claimed the higher fines 'made roads safer, reduced congestion and improved accessibility', demonstrating that 'higher PCN levels can effectively improve compliance'. However, AA president Edmund King slammed the idea as 'crazy', noting that penalties would exceed those for shoplifting or vandalism.
Responding to a parliamentary question, Transport Minister Simon Lightwood said the Department for Transport (DfT) is 'reviewing the findings' of the trial. A DfT spokesperson later stated there are 'no plans' to raise the PCN cap outside London, adding: 'We are a Government firmly on the side of drivers and we fully expect councils only to use PCNs as a deterrent for law-breaking - not as a way to raise funds.'
The Local Government Association supported the review, noting that fines outside London have remained unchanged since 2008, which 'can serve as a less effective deterrent to unfair, inconsiderate and illegal parking'. The controversy comes as Chancellor Rachel Reeves faces pressure over planned fuel duty increases, with the 5p cut set to be unwound between September 2026 and March 2027.
