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Transport for London (TfL) recently proposed an increase to the maximum penalty charge notice (PCN) on red routes from £130 to £160. These red routes are a network of major roads that make up five percent of roads but carry up to 30 percent of the city’s traffic.
On these roads, single and double red lines ban all stopping, parking and loading, in an attempt to keep traffic flowing.
Drivers face being issued with a PCN when they park on double red lines, or on single red lines at times when parking is not permitted.
Fines can also be given out for parking illegally in loading bays, blocking yellow box junctions or driving in bus lanes when it is not allowed.
The RAC described the proposed price increases as “unnecessary”.
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“The previous levy should have been a sufficient enough deterrent to prevent contraventions, so this rise appears to be nothing more than a money-grab.
“It is starting to feel like the Mayor of London is waging a war on drivers and businesses that rely on their vehicles with another eye-watering hike.”
This announcement comes just days after TfL said it planned to bring in a 30 percent increase in the Congestion Charge.
The proposals would be increasing the daily charge to £15 and reducing the hours of operation by four hours between Monday and Friday.
There would also be a discount of 90 percent for residents living in the Congestion Charge zone.
TfL’s director of compliance and policing, Siwan Hayward, responded to the RAC’s comments.
She said: “We’d much rather people follow the rules than fine them.
“The proposed increase in fines is intended to increase compliance with the rules and make streets safer, cleaner and less congested for everyone.”
Under the new proposals, fines would be reduced to £80 if paid within 14 days.
If the proposal was brought in, the £30 increase could raise up to £20million of revenue for TfL, according to City Hall Greens.
TfL are inviting Londoners to have their say on the proposals through their website.
A consultation into the proposal is open until 19 September.
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