A record 8.3 million fines were issued to motorists in London last year – generating millions in income for councils.
A total of 8,333,486 penalty charge notices were handed out by the capital’s 33 boroughs and Transport for London in 2023/24.
This is almost 10 per cent more than the 7.6 million issued in 2022/23.
More than half were parking tickets – a total of 4,560,690. These had a face value of between £60 and £130, depending on location.
About 460,000 more parking tickets were issued in 2023/24 than the previous year – a rise of 11.2 per cent.
This was probably due in part to the increase in residents’ parking zones.
TfL issued most parking tickets – a total of 463,651 – followed by Westminster on 407,284 and Newham on 281,037.
There was also an 8.5 per cent increase in “moving traffic offences”, for example, when drivers stop in “yellow box junction” areas or make banned turns.
These will also include drivers who breached low traffic neighbourhood or school street rules, which restrict access to non-residents.
CCTV is normally used to enforce moving traffic offences, with fines landing on doormats often weeks after the offence occurs.
The total income received by Transport for London and the 33 London councils was not revealed but is likely to be in excess of £400million.
This income is reinvested in transport schemes and benefits such as the Freedom Pass that provides free travel to older and disabled Londoners.
Higher level parking fines are imposed for contraventions that are considered more serious, such as parking on yellow lines or where an obstruction is caused.
Lower level penalties apply generally where parking is permitted but the regulations are breached - such as overstaying on a pay and display bay.
Higher rates are levied in central and inner London, and in some suburban town centres.
London Councils, the organisation that collects the data on behalf of the 33 boroughs, said enforcing the “rules of the road” made the capital’s streets safer and less polluted.
It said: “A small minority of drivers fail to follow the rules of the road, which is why enforcement is necessary to encourage all motorists to drive and park in a considerate and safe manner.”
There was a two per cent reduction in the number of motorists challenging their fine by taking their case all the way to the parking appeals tribunal, which can be done if a first-stage appeal to the council fails.
But of the 42,193 cases considered by London Tribunals, there was an 18 per cent increase in the number of appeals that were won – a total of 16,947 cases.
Kieron Williams, London Councils executive member for climate, transport and environment, said: “Traffic and parking management in London is a vital service provided by London boroughs and TfL that keeps London’s streets moving and balances the needs of different communities.
“If drivers believe they have wrongly received a PCN, we encourage them to appeal to the local authority that issued the penalty. If they are not satisfied with the outcome, they can appeal to an independent adjudicator via the relevant independent appeals service at London Tribunals.”
