Parking tickets issued in Westminster reduced by 70% over 13 years

The number of parking tickets issued in Westminster has dropped by around 70% over a 13 year period.

The council issued 322,454 penalty charge notices (PCNs) in 2016/17 - an increase on the previous year’s figures but still a substantial drop to the 1,051,798 issued in 2003/04.

Westminster City Council says compliance from motorists and better education are some of the reasons behind the fall.

The council employs traffic marshals who are trained to give advice and, where appropriate, issue PCNs to drivers contravening parking rules.

Penalties are issued for a range of issues including parking in disabled bays, obstructing pedestrian crossings and unsafe manoeuvres such as banned turns.

Westminster is also using a new fully-automated camera system with Wi-Fi cameras, which allows 24/7 enforcement and captures every contravening vehicle.

The council’s head of city highways, Cllr Danny Chalkley, said: “From busy tourist hotspots in the West End to the quiet residential streets in St John’s Wood, Westminster faces a unique set of parking challenges.

“Our marshals ensure drivers follow the rules which are designed to maintain kerbside space, protect people, reduce congestion and fight London’s air pollution problem.

“The reduction we have witnessed in PCN volumes in the last decade is the result of our commitment to operating firm but fair parking enforcement in Westminster.”

The borough still issues the most PCNs of any in London, but says this is due to the density of traffic and iconic locations that attract visitors from all over the world.

Number of PCNs issued by year

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