Penalty charge notices

New Parking Penalties from 1 July 2007

Why is the City of Westminster introducing different parking penalty charges for different parking contraventions?

London Councils requires that all 33 boroughs across London introduce differential parking penalties. This includes the City of Westminster.

With approval from the Mayor of London and the Secretary of State, London Councils took this decision after carrying out consultation with Transport for London (TfL), London local authorities, motorists and motoring groups.

More than 80% of those who responded to the consultation said that acts of illegal parking that cause the most disruption, frustration and danger to other road users should be penalised more heavily than others.

London Councils believes that the introduction of different parking penalty charges for different parking contraventions will ensure the right balance is struck between being firm and being fair.

When do differential parking penalties take effect?

Differential parking penalties take effect across London from midnight on Sunday 1 July 2007.

What are the new charges?

The general ethos behind differential charging is to distinguish between activities that cause a high disruption to traffic flow and other motorists, and those that cause less  disruption.

This means that activities that cause a high disruption to traffic flow and other motorists will attract a higher penalty charge than those that cause less disruption. A full list of parking contraventions and their differential level can be found here.

As all roads in the City of Westminster are classified as Band A for on-street and off-street contraventions, the following charges will apply:


     More Serious Charges: £120 (£60 within 14 days)

     Less Serious Charges: £80 (£40 within 14 days)


A 50% discount applies if the charges are paid within the 14 day-period.

Penalties for moving traffic contraventions are set at the same amount as the more serious Band A charge.


What is a more serious contravention?

More serious contraventions are those that relate to prohibited parking. These contraventions apply to drivers who park in areas that are not designated for them, block access to spaces, footpaths or roads, or stop in an area that is prohibited such as a bus stop or pedestrian crossing.


What is a less serious contravention?

Less serious contraventions are those that occur when there is permitted parking for that class of vehicle. These contraventions apply to drivers who fail to pay the charge for parking, park within the markings of a bay or space, or display the required parking permit or ticket. These contraventions also relate to drivers who park for longer than is permitted.

Will clamping and removal costs change?

From 1 July 2007, there will be changes to clamping, removal, pound storage and disposal fees:

     Release from clamp: £70

     Release from car pound: £200

     Storage charge: £40 per day

     Disposal fee: £70