Parking fines soar on edge of C-zone

Parking wardens have been targeting motorists around the edge of the congestion charge zone on an extraordinary scale, research reveals today.

In parts of London the number of penalty tickets soared between 30 and 200 per cent after the zone was introduced in February last year.

This saw councils such as Camden and Lambeth increase revenue from the ?100 fines by as much as 150 per cent in streets outside the charging boundary.

Today's report reveals how boroughs switched their warden patrols from areas within the boundary to those outside - knowing that far fewer cars were entering the eightsquare-mile zone. It states: "The indication ... is that boroughs-have increased the numberof parking attendants on duty to a much greater extent outside the charging zone than inside." As a result of the changed priorities:

The report says councils were right to fear an increase in illegal parking around the zone's perimeter as drivers sought to dodge the ?5-a-day charge. But it found: "There is no evidence that [a rise in illegal parking] has taken place."

Camden increased the number of wardens operating outside the zone by 17 per cent, Hammersmith and Fulham by 16 per cent, Wandsworth by 14 per cent and Lambeth by 10.

Overall, the number of tickets issued inside the zone fell by four per cent but rose by 33 per cent outside. Revenues from the fines increased by about one per cent in the zone and almost 40 per cent outside.

The report was drawn up by the Association of London Government, which represents all 33 boroughs, to provide an independent analysis of the impact of the congestion charge. It found Transport for London's own studies had been correct in that traffic levels inside the zone had fallen by

14.6 per cent.

But it reveals for the first time the charge has resulted in a "significant reduction" in the multi-million-pound parking income central London councils earn each year.

Westminster, which raises ?94 million a year from charges and fines, has already revealed its income is down ?14 million as a result of fewer motorists in central London.

Nick Lester, the ALG's transport director, denied councils had deliberately redirected their wardens to areas where they could make extra money by issuing more tickets.