Parking Fines Set To Rise By Up To A Third In Merton
Give your views on the price hike plan before the end of May
Parking fines are set to increase by up to 33% in Merton, if council plans get the go-ahead.
The borough council has put the proposals out for consultation, with a deadline set of May 31.
The plan is to move the whole borough from 'Band B' charging to 'Band A' charging, increasing the cost of a basic parking ticket fine from £30, if paid within 14 days, to £40, if paid within 14 days.
A report prepared for councillors says the higher penalty will help reduce vehicles stopping in places which hinder traffic flow, including where people are stopping at bus stops and hindering bus stopping, adding to journey times and congestion.
It claims a higher charge would help to ensure that vehicles are not left longer than paid for, longer than the maximum permitted time and making it more likely that visitors can find a space close to their destination. Higher sanctions are also aimed at improving safety at school pick-up and drop-off times, the report states.
Merton raised more than £3.8m from parking fines in 2018-19. The report says 72% of the tickets issued were for vehicles registered outside the borough.
Over a four year period, Merton has seen a 25% increase in the number of Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs), while the London average across that time was 13.6%.
If the plans to move to Band A are approved by the council later this year, they will be implemented between October and April 2021.
Merton is asking people to comment via its official consultation on this link: PCN consultation.
May 22, 2020