New parking rules 'unfair' on drivers

Councils will soon start using CCTV to monitor parking infringements and then send a penalty through the post, leaving some legal experts saying that the new system is 'unfair', Which? has reported.

With the new laws coming into effect on March 31st, issuing penalties remotely will make it difficult to challenge a ticket, lawyers say.

And figures show that challenging a ticket is easier than it sounds.

Research from the National Parking Adjudication Service has shown that London motorists had won nearly two thirds of appeals against parking tickets when challenged in court.

Joanne Lezemore, Which? Legal Service senior lawyer, said the new laws are unfair because they do not allow motorists to gather photographic evidence if they want to challenge a penalty.

"If you receive a ticket that you think is unfair, it is still well worth appealing as statistics show that many tickets do get overturned. Act quickly, put it in writing and gather as much evidence as you can for the best chance of success," she said.

The AA has criticised the move saying that issuing fines via closed circuit television is 'inflexible'.