Parking blitz hits delivery drivers; ‘Overzealous’ councils under fire as fines for courier firms soar by 78%.

NEW evidence of the massive rise in parking fines is revealed today.

Private motorists in London have already been hit by an increase in tickets issued by parking attendants.

Now firms delivering goods to shops, offices and the home are being targeted – and they warn that to stay profitable the extra costs will ultimately be passed on in higher prices for consumers.

A survey by the Freight Transport Association (FTA) reveals that last year the number of parking tickets issued to delivery drivers in London soared by an average of 78 per cent. The value of the fines rose by an average of 86 per cent.

Among the worst hit was retail giant John Lewis. The number of fines issued to its drivers rose from 93 in 2002 to 188 last year, costing more than [pounds sterling]13,000.

“The situation is out of hand – local authorities now see the parking ticket as another legitimate form of revenue,” said Richard Turner, chief executive of FTA, many of whose members have already seen profits hit by the introduction of the congestion charge.

He blamed “overzealous” parking attendants failing to use discretion on congested inner-city roads.

“With fewer motorists in the congestion charging zone, attendants target delivery drivers instead to keep tallies up,” he said. In the run-up to new laws allowing councils to enforce not just parking but also traffic offences by CCTV from next month, Mr Turner said increased use of technology was also to blame for soaring ticket numbers.

The FTA survey also reveals that attendants in London issue a high rate of “wrong” tickets, with 34 per cent overturned at appeal.

Fleet operators attack attendants for being “aggressive”, for failing to ask drivers to move on before issuing tickets – ranging from [pounds sterling]80 to [pounds sterling]100 – and for misinterpretation of loading and unloading rules.

Wholesaler Matthew Clarke Ltd revealed that it appealed against 1,946 tickets and won in every case. The survey found the worst councils for issuing tickets were Westminster, Camden, the City, and Kensington and Chelsea.

Fines for the 31 firms surveyed totalled more than [pounds sterling]1 million in 2003, up from [pounds sterling]266,258 in 2002.

The Association of London Government, which represents borough councils, denied parking attendants were overzealous.

Transport and environment director Nick Lester said: “If drivers had the benefit of the doubt every time it would result in chaos. The fact that 34 per cent of appeals are won shows the system is fair.”

Tickets

2003 2002

Total fines

2003 2002

Matthew Clarke Ltd 956 1,946 [pounds sterling]49,064 [pounds sterling]101,790

Drinks distribution

Scottish Courage 1,363 2,210 [pounds sterling]58,567 [pounds sterling]110,469

Brewer

John Lewis 93 188 [pounds sterling]6,500 [pounds sterling]13,160

Retail

Jayhawk Ltd 250 330 [pounds sterling]1,000 [pounds sterling]1,400

Fine art deliveries

Londis Ltd 71 115 [pounds sterling]3,380 [pounds sterling]5,830

Retail distribution

HOW BIG COMPANIES HAVE PAID THE PRICE