If you thought parking in London was already pricey, brace yourself—it’s about to get worse.
Under a new plan approved by Mayor Sadiq Khan, penalty charge notices (PCNs) for parking violations will increase by £30. That means fines in high-charge areas (Band A) will rise from £130 to £160, while lower-charge areas (Band B) will go up from £110 to £140.
Londoners and visitors are already paying huge amounts for parking, and breaking the rules could soon come with an even bigger financial hit. The change follows pressure from London Councils—representing local authorities—who want to tackle “anti-social and obstructive parking” across the city.
The 50% discount for paying a PCN within 14 days will remain, but that still means drivers will need to stump up at least £80 if they pay promptly. The increase won’t just affect parking fines either—bus lane and moving traffic penalties will also rise. More serious offences, such as blocking roads or parking in restricted zones, will carry higher charges than minor infractions.
Why Are Fines Increasing?
City Hall argues that PCNs play a key role in keeping London’s roads clear and ensuring fair access to parking spaces. The decision to increase charges was influenced by a public consultation, where half of respondents complained about dangerous and inconsiderate parking, such as blocking pavements.
However, not everyone agrees. Almost 50% of the 1,600 people surveyed opposed the increase, saying it would add to financial strain. Despite this, officials claim the rise is necessary because PCN enforcement costs have increased, and the number of fines issued has surged by 50% over the past 12 years.
The new charges will only go ahead if Secretary of State for Transport, Heidi Alexander, doesn’t block the proposal within a month.
Parking Costs Are Rising Across the UK
London isn’t the only place where parking charges are going up—at least 20 councils across the UK are planning price hikes in their car parks and street bays.
In Lewisham, new parking permits could cost up to £750, while in Barnet, the minimum price for an hour of parking will rise from £3.12 to £3.50. Cardiff is proposing to increase residential parking permits from £30 to £35, and second permits from £80 to £120.
In Liverpool, on-street parking charges are set to jump by 60% next month, while in Bristol, 10 suburban car parks will soon introduce parking fees for the first time. Smaller councils, including Horsham, Runnymede, Norwich, East Herts, Melton, and Guildford, are also increasing costs.
One of the biggest jumps is in Horsham, where some car park prices will increase by 294%, with a minimum rise of £2.20 per stay as the council looks to raise £134,000.
Councils argue that these increases are necessary to balance budgets, but critics say they will hurt both local businesses and drivers already struggling with rising living costs.
With parking charges creeping up across the UK, finding an affordable place to park is becoming harder than ever.
