Parking fines paid latest in Derry

Latest figures reveal that Derry motorists pay parking fines less- within the 14 day window at a charge of £45- than any other Council area in Northern Ireland.

Only 57.2% of those ticketed in Derry- from November 2021 to November 2022- paid the £45 charge within the initial 14 day window. This is compared to 63.6% in Belfast, 72.5% in Ards and North Down and 69.2% in Antrim. Over 62% of all motorists paid within the initial 14 days across all the remaining Councils. 

In Derry, a further 4.4% also paid £45 but with an extension to the 14 day period. 7.6% paid at £90 with a further 2.4% paying the late charge of £135. 28.4% have still not paid their fine. 

Those issued with Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) in Northern Ireland are given a £90 fine, with the option of paying half of the price (£45) if they pay it within 14 days. If the fine is paid past the four week deadline, the charge is £135.

SDLP Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan had previously expressed his disappointment that Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd has refused to relax existing timeframes for the payment of PCNs.

Mr Durkan had proposed extending the timeframe individuals can benefit from a 50% discount when paying parking fines, from 14 days to six weeks in a bid to ease the financial pressures facing people as household bills soar.

He said this small move would alleviate the burden on impacted individuals and has suggested that all caretaker ministers should consider what steps they can take within their own departments to push back against spiralling costs.

Foyle MLA Mr Durkan said: “This figures acquired seem to indicate that in areas less well off, fewer people pay at the discounted rate. The only reasons for not doing so would be that either money isn't an issue or, as I suspect, that fewer people are able to afford an unforeseen expense of £45.

"Parking enforcement within our communities plays an important role and while I’m in no way suggesting that people should not be fined for violation of these rules, I am asking for leniency with regards to existing timeframes. 

"Currently, motorists fined for parking contraventions are given 28 days to pay a £90 penalty, however, if paid within the first two-weeks individuals can benefit from a reduced rate of £45. 

"Those exceeding the 28-day window must pay an increased charge of £135. What I have proposed is a six-week period permitting individuals to access the lower rate of £45.

“I cannot accept Minister O’Dowd’s rationale for rejecting this proposal, in which he states that as PCNs are intended to discourage illegal parking, his department has no plans to change the discount period. 

"I’m not asking for charges to be scrapped and the existing penalty, albeit at a discounted rate, would still serve its purpose as a deterrent.

“Current rules unfairly punish those who cannot afford to take advantage of the two-week window. This approach is fundamentally flawed and the reality is that more and more people will see themselves disadvantaged as the cost of living crisis deepens. 

"The aim of parking enforcement has always been to discourage illegal parking and not about making money and I believe that all ministers should demonstrate their willingness to help people by implementing small steps such as this one. 

"It is doable and we saw a similar approach taken by previous Minister Nichola Mallon when she instigated a massive scale-back of enforcement during the pandemic.  

“While the continued absence of an Executive has restricted what actions caretaker ministers can take, it’s important to acknowledge that departments are not completely hamstrung. 

"There are steps which can and should be taken to provide some assistance to people struggling in the current financial climate. Minister O’Dowd’s failure to act on this relatively simple task is indicative of a lackadaisical approach by caretaker ministers, their unwillingness to do the bare minimum in the face of such hardship is unacceptable.”