Inconsiderate drivers who park their vehicles illegally in London providing additional hazards on the capital's already congested roads could face fines of up to £100.
More than 70 per cent of respondents to an extensive consultation by the Association of London Government (ALG) on the levels of parking fines in the capital called from them to be raised.
The ALG Transport and Environment Committee today (Friday) agreed that fines in central London (Band A) should rise from £80 to £100.
Where there are pressures on parking in outer London areas (Band B) the fines would increase from £60 to £80. Fines in Band C (which is mainly car parks) will rise from £40 to £60.
Currently around four million parking fines are issued by London's boroughs each year, and the consultation looked into a range of options to deter people from parking illegally in London.
Motorists parking illegally cause added delays on London's already extremely busy roads, with buses frequently obstructed by inconsiderate motorists parking in the bus lanes. Now these drivers could also be faced with a £100 fine.
Chair of the ALG Transport and Environment Committee Cllr Phil Portwood said: "All the views expressed in the consultation were fully taken on board. We feel that we have arrived at a sensible decision that will deter the selfish motorists who park illegally and will help keep London moving.
"These increases will help the law abiding motorist through helping ease congestion by deterring those who cause delays by parking illegally in areas like bus lanes and on double yellow lines.
"We have a responsibility to ensure the safety of everyone who uses
London's roads and people who park illegally also cause needless hazards to other motorists, cyclists and pedestrians."
By law the fines can only be set at the minimum level to act as a deterrent - and with four million parking tickets issued each year in
London there was obviously a case for raising the fines.
A sliding scale of fines depending on the nature of the offence will not be introduced after 70 per cent of responses were either against the idea or had no view on the proposal.
