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FTA condemns hike in Kent truck parking fines
[ January 11, 2018 // Chris ]The Freight Transport Association (FTA) has described increased fines for illegal truck parking in Kent as “poorly planned and disproportionate”. The association argues that the problem of trucks using laybys and other unsuitable locations will only be by adequate clean and secure parking facilities.
It understands that Ashford Borough Council has received approval from the Department for Transport to increase fines from £40 to £150 as part of its overnight truck parking enforcement trial.
While the additional money will be used to cover the full cost of issuing penalty notices and processing payments, FTA policy manager for the South East, Heidi Skinner said thes sudden increase was disproportionate:
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.
In November 2017, the Government dropped a controversial plan for a lorry parking and ‘stacking’ area off the M20 near Dover, after companies affected by the scheme requested a judicial review.