London parking charges confirmed to rise from April 7 with drivers warned of price hikes

Drivers across the capital have been warned of significant increases in penalty charges after new fines were approved to come out next month.

The move will see motorists hit with higher penalties for parking infringements across London and will come into effect from April 7.

The changes, approved by the London Council Transport and Environment Committee today, will see the highest penalties climb to £160 in central London and other busy areas with drivers now having to pay £30 more for breaking traffic rules.

This marks the first major adjustment to penalty charges since 2010, affecting all 32 London boroughs and the City of London.

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Drivers who pay early, however can benefit from a 50 per cent discount, though the reduced amounts will also increase in line with the new penalty levels. Additional fees for vehicle clamping and removal will rise substantially as well.

The new penalty structure divides London into two bands. In Band A areas, which include central London and major town centres, higher level penalties will increase to £160, reduced to £80 if paid within 14 days.

Lower level penalties in Band A will rise to £110, with a discounted rate of £55 for early payment. For Band B areas, covering outer London boroughs, higher level penalties will increase to £140, with a £70 early payment option.

Lower level penalties in Band B will rise to £90, reduced to £45 if paid promptly. Bus lane and moving traffic contraventions will also increase to £160 across all London boroughs.

Band A covers 17 boroughs including Camden, Westminster, Kensington & Chelsea, and Hackney, plus parts of Wandsworth, Lambeth, Southwark, Lewisham, Barking and Dagenham, and several outer London town centres.

The remaining areas will operate under Band B regulations. Higher level penalties apply to more serious contraventions, such as parking on yellow lines or causing an obstruction.

Lower level penalties are issued when parking is permitted but regulations are contravened, such as overstaying in a pay and display bay. The distinction ensures that the most disruptive violations in the busiest areas face the steepest penalties.

Additional fees for vehicle enforcement will also see substantial increases from April 7. The release fee for vehicles that have been wheel clamped will rise from £70 to £100.

Motorists whose vehicles are taken to a car pound will face a £280 release fee, up from the current £200. Daily storage fees will increase by 37.5 per cent, from £40 to £55 per day. The disposal fee for unclaimed vehicles will rise from £70 to £100.

These additional charges represent some of the largest percentage increases in the new penalty structure, with the release fee from car pounds seeing a 40 per cent jump.

London Councils’ Transport and Environment Committee shared: “[We have] a statutory role in setting penalty levels and additional fees for parking and traffic contraventions on behalf of the 32 London boroughs and the City of London, and publishing the levels set. It always undertakes consultation before doing so.

“Following a determination by the London Councils Transport and Environment Committee, approval by the Mayor of London, and having received no objection within the period of one month of notifying the Secretary of State for Transport, the following increase in penalty charges and additional fees will take effect in the 32 London boroughs.”

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The document added: “London Councils wanted to review how parking and traffic management can continue to be most effective in delivering some of its key benefits, such as improving road safety for all London residents and visitors, through promoting positive behaviour change from motorists, reducing congestion and journey times as more obstructions to free-flowing traffic and reducing carbon emissions.”