Westminister Council hammers motorists

Figures released recently show a huge rise in revenue for councils through parking fines and charges. This is damning proof that local authorities are hammering motorists visiting town centres, the Forum of Private Business has said.

The not-for-profit small business support organisation last month called for local authorities to dump car parking charges for 2013 as part of a drive to help struggling high street traders in what looks set to be another difficult year. The Forum said this would increase footfall in town centres and make them more attractive places for firms to do business, and reduce the number of vacant commercial premises.

But research released by the Institute of Advanced Motorists showed how local authorities across the country made record profits in 2011/12 at the expense of motorists compared to previous years, with the average take increasing by 15 percent. Westminster Council topped the national list, raking in an extraordinary £38 million from fines and charges levied against motorists. It is not just the shops who suffer from a lack of shoppers, these fines and charges affect those earning their living on the roads.

Taxi drivers have complained of fines on many occasions and following a recent documentary on BBC TV, perhaps the best advice is to always appeal a ticket. Fewer shoppers and visitors in central London is bad enough for the cab trade, but as cab drivers we know only too well finding a safe place to park to answer a call of nature can also result in a costly ticket. The documentary was an observational one, showing both sides of the parking war. Last year saw more motorists receive tickets than ever before and the programme followed how some of these fared on appeal.

Courtesy of TaxiCabNews