New penalty charges apply

Penalty charges are designed to encourage motorists to comply with parking regulations.

A national system of differential penalty charges came into force in 2008 making penalty charges more proportional to the seriousness of the contravention.

A higher rate of penalty charge is payable for more serious parking offences and a lower rate for less serious cases.

For example, parking on yellow lines incurs a higher penalty than overstaying in a pay and display bay.

Higher rate penalty charges

• Higher rater penalty charge: £70

• If paid within 14 days: £35

Lower rate penalty charges

• Lower rater penalty charge: £50

• If paid within 14 days: £25

Note: to qualify for the discount at either rate the penalty must be paid not later than the last day of the period of 14 days beginning with the date on which the Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) is served.

A full list of contraventions and the appropriate level of penalty charge can be seen in the attached document.