Drivers face huge rise in parking fines

London parking tickets are set to rise by up to 50 per cent, leaving motorists facing fines of as much as £120.

Details of the massively increased penalties, including clamping and pound release fees, are contained in a leaked proposal prepared by the Association of London Boroughs' Transport and Environment Committee - the body which sets parking fines across London.

The move was immediately described as "total idiocy" by the AA, which said the punitive new rates would come as "a hammer blow" to London's motorists who are already under attack from congestion charging and a crippling programme of road works and route closures.

The RAC warned that a rise would be the "final nail in the motorist's coffin".

Ken Livingstone, who is gambling his mayoral term on the controversial congestion charging scheme - will have the final say when the consultation process ends in October.

But the document shows there is huge support for the increases among the powerful Transport and Environment Committee.

Under the heading, The Need For Change to Penalty Charges in London, the document says increased parking patrols have reduced traffic violations.

But it adds that there is still a " considerable amount of illegal parking on the streets of London" and more patrols and higher fines are needed to combat it.

It adds: "Put together, therefore, these factors make a strong case for a further and more fundamental review of additional parking charges, and indeed, for a general increase in penalty levels.

"Set against this, it must be said that any increase in penalties is never popular and will produce an increase in the number of penalties challenged, at least initially resulting in extra costs for boroughs."

Nick Lester, Director of Transport and Environment for the ALG said: "It is not a question of hitting motorists in the pocket, because it is easy for them to avoid the fines. The whole objective is to improve road safety and make better use of kerb space. Parking penalties are there to make sure rules are obeyed."

But Rebecca Rees, of the AA, warned if the Mayor approved the increases he faced "political suicide".

"These proposals are coming at a time when drivers already face congestion charging and its associated costs.

"They come as Londoners face the worst programme of road closure and roadworks."