FTA anger at parking fine increase

The Freight Transport Association has criticised plans by Ashford Borough Council to increase fines as part of its overnight truck parking enforcement trial.

It said: “FTA understands the charge to truck operators will go up sharply from £40 per infringement to £150 and has been told the additional money will be used to cover the full cost of issuing penalty notices and processing payments.”

South East policy manager Heidi Skinner said: “We are shocked by Ashford Borough Council’s decision to increase fines in this way with so little warning or consultation. The clamping scheme has only been in place for a couple of months, so making such a dramatic increase so quickly and with very little warning is excessive. Truck drivers keep Britain trading by providing a public service, helping to keep all of us supplied with food and other goods. They shouldn’t be penalised in this way.”

The Ashford parking enforcement pilot was introduced in October 2017 to address concerns about safety and the disruption cause by large numbers of lorries parking in the town. However, Ms Skinner says many drivers have no option but to park on public roads.