PCN charges consultation

Overview

Over the past four years we have effectively enforced parking restrictions, but this has not provided enough of a deterrent to reduce the number of penalty charge notices (PCNs) being issued. There has been a 25% increase in the number of PCNs issued for parking contraventions between the financial years 2015/16 and 2018/19.

Our powers to issue penalty charge notices come from the Traffic Management Act 2004, and the primary aim of that act is to encourage compliance. We believe increasing PCN charges is essential to act as an effective deterrent and to reduce the number of vehicles parking in contravention.

Update 21 December 2021

On 3 September 2020 we applied to the Mayor of London and the Secretary of State for Transport for permission to change parking penalty charge notice (PCN) charges in Merton from Band B to Band A.

On 17 December 2021 we received confirmation that the application had been approved.

Formal notice of this change will be advertised in the Wimbledon and Wandsworth Times, and the London Gazette from 23 December 2021, with the charges coming into effect from 1 February 2022.

This will mean that from 1 February 2022, the charges for parking contraventions for on- and off-street parking locations will be £130 for more serious contraventions (reduced by 50% if paid within 14 days of the date of issue of the PCN), or £80 for less serious contraventions (reduced by 50% if paid within 14 days of the date of issue of the PCN).

PCNs issued for bus lane contraventions and moving traffic contraventions are already charged at Band A charges and will not be affected.

If you are issued a parking PCN on or before 31 January 2022, the cost of your PCN will remain at Band B charges even if your challenge against the PCN goes beyond 1 February 2022.

Consultation March–June 2020

We asked for views on our proposals to increase penalty charges for people who break parking rules.

This consultation ran from 16 March to 28 June 2020.

We proposed to change PCN charges in Merton from Band B to Band A as shown in the table below. These bands and charges are set by a body called London Councils.

Contravention	Band B Full charge	Band B Discount if paid within 14 days	Band A Full charge	Band A Discount if paid within 14 days
More serious	£110	£55	£130	£65
Less serious	£60	£30	£80	£40

Contravention

Band B

Full charge

Band B

Discount if paid within 14 days

Band A

Full charge

Band A

Discount if paid within 14 days

More serious

£110

£55

£130

£65

Less serious

£60

£30

£80

£40

Benefits

The main benefits of this proposal are as follows.

Traffic flow and congestion

A higher penalty will help reduce vehicles stopping in places which hinder traffic flow, including where people are stopping at bus stops and hindering bus stopping, adding to journey times and congestion.

Protection of spaces for dedicated users

Merton already has some spaces that are reserved for the use of specific users, including those disabled badge holders who qualify for a dedicated disabled bay.

Vehicle turnover in paid spaces

Merton's parking charges for casual parking and car parks are set to reflect local needs and to support local businesses and services. A higher PCN charge would help to ensure that vehicles are not left longer than paid for, longer than the maximum permitted time and making it more likely that visitors can find a space close to their destination.

Improved safety and reduced obstructions

Higher sanctions are aimed at improving safety at school pick-up and drop-off times. Another source of concern is vehicles parked across driveways or blocking access for refuse collection vehicles. Such behaviour is an annoyance and obstruction to local residents, and at worst it has potential to endanger children and block access for emergency vehicles.