New Parking Ticket Rules End 'War On Drivers'

Drivers are to get ten minutes' grace before being given a ticket if they stay too long on council parking spots.

The changes in the law in England are expected to come in within weeks and will apply to all on-street and off-street council parking spots.

Other measures in the Deregulation Bill include a right for residents and local firms to demand their council reviews parking in their area.

CCTV camera cars that automatically issue parking fines are to be made illegal - apart from in areas near schools and in bus lanes.

Communities Secretary Eric Pickles said: "We are ending the war on drivers who simply want to go about their daily business.

"For too long parking rules have made law-abiding motorists feel like criminals, and caused enormous damage to shops and businesses.

"Over-zealous parking enforcement undermines our town centres and costs councils more in the long term."

Fines at out-of-order parking meters when there is no alternative way to pay will also be scrapped.

And councils will also be given more guidance that they cannot use parking fines to make a profit.

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said: "These measures will deliver a fairer deal for motorists and help boost the high street by ensuring that parking enforcement is proportionate, while also protecting schoolchildren and keeping key routes and bus lanes clear."