Lorry parking fines soar in overnight clampdown

A new scheme introduced by Ashford Borough Council (ABC) to “clamp down” on illegally parked lorries has been allowed to massively increase its release rates.

The Department for Transport has given ABC permission to raise the clamping release fees by 275%, from £40 to £150, which those who are clamped will have to pay alongside a penalty charge notice fee.

The HGV parking enforcement began last October on an 18-month trial.

It prevents lorry drivers from parking overnight (8pm to 7am) on the A20 between Charing and the Drovers roundabout in Ashford.

There are also parking restrictions in place at the Ashford Business Park, the Orbital Park in Sevington, Ellingham Industrial Estate and along Wotton Road.

A spokeswoman for the Department of Transport said: “On a one-off basis, we have allowed Ashford Borough Council to raise the fee it charges, to match the cost of clamping HGVs over- night in these areas.

“Residents must be protected against inappropriate night-time lorry parking near their homes, and this trial scheme – alongside other measures – will help us determine the best way to do this.”

An ABC spokeswoman said: “The parking enforcement trial is already seeing positive results and a reduction in the level of illegal parking.

“The request to increase the fee was prompted to avoid any financial hardship on both the Borough and County Council resources or public services.”

She added: “After due consideration, approval was given for the release fee increase for the trial geographical area, covered by an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order, during the hours of operation of the HGV night time parking enforcement trial.

“Standard release fees remain in operation outside the trail.

“The increase recognises the unique situation in Ashford offered by the trial and the objective to gather evidence on the effectiveness of immobilisation as an enforcement tool.

“This is an important opportunity to inform and influence future policy development.

“However, the need for HGV drivers to take breaks is not disputed neither is the need for suitable parking facilities for drivers.”

So far, the trial has been considered a success, with 679 lorries clamped between November and December alone.

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The council crackdown on nuisance lorry drivers parking overnight on the A20, between Drovers roundabout and Charing