Guide to your parking rights in London boroughs
Five London boroughs raised more than £125 million in parking charges and fines last year, according to a new study on revenues.
Westminster topped the unofficial table by making £37.1 million, whilst all of the top earners were in central London.
The figures, compiled by London Councils, were presented to the transport select committee which is holding an investigation into whether council parking revenues — and particularly fines — are excessive.
The good news is there are some ways of appealing most kinds of tickets if it was given unfairly or mistakenly:
How parking enforcement works:
Different organisations enforce parking rules and issue parking tickets, including local councils, the police, private companies of Transport for London.
Your rights vary depending on who issued it and whether you parked on the street or in a car park.
In most parts, street parking is enforced by council-employed parking attendants or Civil Enforcement Officers.
They issue Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) through the civil justice system.
Police traffic wardens enforce more serious parking rules, such as Priority or Red Route regulations. They issue Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) through the criminal justice system.
Where can you not park?
Restricted parking areas - single yellow marking.
Single yellow line - parking restricted at certain times of the day.
On a road marked with double white lines, except to pick up or set down passengers.
Red lines on the road.
In a ream or cycle lane during period of operation.
In front of a dropped kerb.
On an urgan clearway during hours of operation.
On a double yellow line at any times of the day.
In a Blue Badge Bay- unless you are an holder.
Access round for emergency vehicles - in front of emergency exit.
On a pedestrian crossing.
Appealing a PCN:
Start your appeal informally by writing to the council explaining in detail why you disagree with the ticket and enclosing any evidence to support your case. If you write within 14 days of receiving the notice, the early-payment discount period – another 14 days – may be reoffered if a rejection is sent
If your informal appeal is rejected and no payment is received, you will be sent a Notice to Owner (NTO), which officially orders the charge to be paid. You have 28 days from the date of the NTO to either pay or lodge a formal appeal. A postal PCN provides for payment at the discounted rate for 21 days.
If you are successful, the council will send you confirmation that the NTO is cancelled. If your appeal is unsuccessful, you will receive a ‘Notice of Rejection of Representations’, plus a ‘Notice of Appeal’ form to proceed to the adjudicators if you wish.
You can either pay the charge or use this form to make your appeal to the adjudicators within 28 days. You’ll be able to opt for either a postal, telephone or personal hearing. In most cases, the council must also send you a copy of its evidence within 21 days.
If you’ve asked for a postal decision, you will be notified of the week in which your appeal is due to be decided. If you have asked for a personal or telephone hearing, you’ll usually receive at least 21 days’ notice of the date, time and location.
Parking ticket tips:
It’s worth appealing: most parking ticket appeals are successful.
If you think a parking ticket was unfairly issued, collect as much evidence at the scene (such as photos) as you can.
Once a ticket has been issued, the parking attendant or warden can’t reverse it – you’ll need to appeal.
Parking appeal adjudicators in London - parkingandtrafficappeals
See how much your borough earned: