Information for journalists: parking enforcement

Parking enforcement in London

London's boroughs have carried out parking enforcement since 1993/94 to ensure that the capital's already busy roads are not further congested with unnecessary hazards and are safe for everybody that uses them. 

Nearly six million penalty charge notices were issued in London in 2004/05. These were issued to people parking illegally, wrongly using bus lanes, committing moving traffic offences like stopping in yellow box junctions, or for contraventions under the London Lorry Control Scheme. Less than one per cent of these penalties are normally appealed through the independent Parking and Traffic Appeals Service (PATAS).

While the London Councils provides administrative support to PATAS, all the decisions taken on appeals are carried out by Independent Adjudicators. These adjudicators are appointed with the consent of the Lord Chancellor. 

Information for journalists

The information contained on this page is designed to help journalists have a better understanding about parking enforcement and the appeals process, and provide them with as much information as possible on the issue.