WIREDGOV

Cllr Peter Box Chair of the LGA's Economy and Transport Board,commented on the issue of foreign drivers not paying parking fines.

"The LGA has for some time been leading the call for foreign drivers to be made more accountable for parking fines. Money collected by councils from parking fines can only be spent on transport improvements, so the millions of pounds that foreign drivers are avoiding is money that would be spent filling potholes, providing bus services and tackling the £12 billion repair backlog to bring our roads up to scratch.

"It is understandable that many councils are looking towards private contractors to try to track down foreign drivers given the huge sums outstanding, but they really need more help from the Government.

"Without an EU directive that allows parking fines to be enforced against foreign drivers on the continent, debt recovery options lack teeth. Similar directives exist around things like speeding, wearing a seat belt and drink driving and it would be sensible if the UK Government were to work with European partners so that councils can collect parking fines from foreign drivers that break the law in this country."