Parking Fines

A TNT Express Services-led campaign against the imposition of heavy fines caused by the 'no parking' policies of London borough councils has resulted in a series of new measures to help ease the problem.

TNT Express Services has been spearheading a six-month, industry-wide revolt challenging Westminster and Camden Councils to alter its policies to help accommodate collections and deliveries to businesses in the capital. TNT was facing potential fines up to £300,000 per annum under the existing arrangements.

A range of proposals have been implemented to try and provide a long term resolution to the dispute. These include:

Westminster and Camden Councils allowing delivery companies unlimited time to collect and deliver goods before 11am in zoned parking meter areas, residents car park bays and time-limited pick-up and drop zones.

The two councils reviewing their procedures for enabling companies to appeal against parking fines.

The introduction of a new Liaison Group between neighbouring London borough councils including Lambeth and Kensington & Chelsea, to establish a consistent approach to parking signs and restrictions. The express delivery companies and local retailers are also represented at the Group's bi-monthly meetings

Earlier this year TNT, in conjunction with other express carriers and the London boroughs, produced an educational video entitled 'Keep It Moving'. The film focuses on the roles and responsibilities of the drivers and traffic wardens and is intended to promote a mutual understanding of the respective roles.

In March 2005, TNT was one of the first users of a new system entitled 'Moovit' which is designed to help reduce the level of parking tickets being served by promoting more commonsense and co-operation between drivers and traffic wardens. The system is based on a light sensitive sensor located on the window of the vehicle. The traffic warden touches the sensor sending a signal to a pager worn by the driver while away from the cab. The signal tells the driver that the warden is monitoring the length of the vehicles stay from that point on.

Under a review of Westminster Council's parking fine appeals procedure, companies are now be encouraged to submit evidence of a delivery note when lodging an appeal against a parking ticket. The Council has intimated that proof that the vehicle was parked for a bona fide delivery at the time of the 'offence' would be taken into account during the appeal process.
TNT has adopted the approach whereby it will immediately pay fines at a rate of £50 each and then appeal against any disputed tickets. The initiative is designed to effectively 'freeze' the parking fine and stop it from escalating up to the maximum level of £100.

In another development, the London borough council's Liaison Group featuring Camden, Kensington & Chelsea, Lambeth and Westminster gives the Express Carrier Forum the opportunity to raise any future parking issues. Electronic mapping technology will be employed by companies to monitor any ticket 'hot-spots' and the data fed back to the bi-monthly meetings for investigation.

Further TNT Industry Issues:

Working Time Directive

TNT Industry Issues

Congestion Charging

Lorry Road User Charges

Carriage of Dangerous Goods

Corporate Sustainability

Driver Shortages

Night Flights

Aviation Emissions

Fuel Protests

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