Parking fines to double

10:45am Tuesday 5th June 2001

PARKING fines in Swanley are set to soar 50 per cent following Sevenoaks District Council's decision to raise the level to £60.

The new penalty charge notice fines will be in place within the next few months.

The additional income would make the system of fines self financing for Sevenoaks Council.

Mayor of Swanley Frank Parker said: “I don't object to parking fines going up from £40 to £60.

“There is a lot of anti-social parking in the area. People are parking on double yellow lines which should be kept clear for emergency vehicles.

“People are also incredibly lazy, and are driving down pedestrian areas to drop off their videos rather than parking 25 yards away and walking to a shop.

“It ruins what should be a nice area.

“People who do these kinds of things deserve to be fined.”

Swanley and District Chamber of Commerce secretary Brian Stacey said: “Swanley is a small convenient shopping centre which we have fought to keep free of parking charges, to attract people to the centre.

“Because of this there are very few places where you have to pay for parking, so fines should not affect people as long as they park correctly.”

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