Parking wardens go soft on £1.5m fines

Motorists parking illegally in a London borough have escaped fines of up to £1.5 million thanks to a softly-softly approach.

Kensington and Chelsea council says it has waived fines worth more than £500,000.

Another 10,000 motorists got a warning letter rather than notice of a £100 fine. These fines alone could have been worth £1million - although payment in 14 days would earn a 50 per cent discount.

The council still made a net £22.8 million profit from 291,445 tickets in 2003/4 - the third highest number of fines in the capital.

Deputy council leader Daniel Moylan refused to say how the council decided which fines to drop, adding: "We are taking a risk. We will remain firm but fair."