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DRIVERS who overstay in a timed parking bay will no longer be punished in the same way as more serious parking offenders.

Under new Government plans, parking fines will now vary depending on the severity of the crime.

Currently all parking offences have the same basic penalty charge of £60, which can be discounted by 50 per cent if paid within 14 days, or, if the charge goes unpaid, it can increase.

Last year Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council issued more than 7,000 Penalty Charge Notices earning it £202,000 from drivers flouting parking laws.

Mike Beckham, head of transportation at the council, said: "Research indicates that income generated by the new charging structure will be roughly the same, but at this stage we cannot be certain of the exact impact the regulations will have."

Under the new system there will be different charges for varying levels of non-compliance with parking rules and regulations. Therefore less serious offences like overstaying for a few minutes will receive a lower penalty than those who park on a double yellow line where a loading only' rule is in force.

From Monday, March 31, the basic penalty charges will be either £50 or £70 depending upon the seriousness of the contravention.

As before, a 50 per cent discount will be available for payment within 14 days and the charge could increase if payment is not made.

It is hoped the changes will make parking enforcement more transparent, readily understood and accepted by the public.

7:36am Thursday 27th March 2008

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