Big Jump in PCNs Issued By Hounslow Council

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Fines rise by nearly a quarter to reach close to an all-time high

PCNs issued to motorists in Hounslow Borough rose by 24% in the last financial year according to figures released by London Councils.

In 2018/19 there were 145,355 PCNs issued by the council which is just below the peak level reached in 2008/9.

Parking PCNs have declined since the government tightened up regulations on how and when they could be issued but the number fines for parking offences has risen above 100,000 for the first time in four years.

Revenue from parking PCNs looks likely to have increased significantly over the year with a much bigger proportion of higher level parking PCNs being issued. These rose by 28% with lower level PCNs declining by 4%.

Parking Charges Made By Hounslow Council
Year	Higher Level Parking PCNs	Lower Level Parking PCNs	Total Parking PCNs	Bus Lane PCNs	Moving Traffic PCNs	Total PCNs	Vehicles Removed to Pound
2018/19	79,992	20,924	100,916	4,497	39,942	145,355	758
2017/18	62,704	21,761	84,465	6,224	27,005	117,694	816
2016/17	54,382	26,899	81,281	8,123	31,798	121,202	746
2015/16	49,409	29,480	78,889	12,147	14,349	105,385	790
2014/15	76,130	31,850	107,890	15,555	6,514	130,049	627
2013/14	76,597	29,189	105,786	18,706	5,477	129,969	536
2012/13	85,895	32,072	117,967	10,987	498	129,452	641
2011/12	92,049	39,580	131,629	9,502	0	141,131	717
2010/11	98,403	37,847	136,250	2,963	0	139,213	792
2009/10	89,188	43,184	132,372	2,291	0	134,663	1,246
2008/09	96,292	47,556	143,848	3,452	0	147,300	1,169
2007/08	23,847	77,887	36,019	1,732	0	139,485	1,435

The biggest increase was for moving traffic violations which rose by 48% to 39,942. This includes 7,051 fines issued for yellow box junction offences including £144,000 worth of fines issued by the camera near the junction of Ennismore Avenue and Chiswick High Road . Moving traffic violations which are generally issued after offences are caught on camera have increased from zero seven years ago to being the second highest source of PCN revenue for the council after parking. Figures from two years ago showed that a single camera a single traffic camera in Lionel Road North in Brentford has issued over 10,000 fines in a year. The camera monitors the section of road by a pedestrian island and drivers are being caught when they pass by on the wrong side.

Fines issued for bus lane violations have declined for the fifth year in a row. There were 4,497 PCNs of this type last year compared to 18,706 in 2013/14.

We have asked Hounslow Council for comment on the figures.

October 23, 2019