Watch out if you are planning to use BAA Heathrow’s short-stay car parks in the near future as the airport is set to take a hard line on dangerous and inconsiderate parking.

From 1 July, a new parking enforcement scheme will come into effect aimed at reducing congestion and improving traffic flow. Vehicles must be parked within permitted bays – the whole vehicle must be parked within the marked lines.

Drivers who do not park clearly within designated bays, who park in disabled bays without the appropriate disabled badge,  park a motorcycle outside of the parking area for motorcycles, and drivers of low-sided vehicles parked in high-sided vehicle bays will be issued with fixed penalty notices by a team of uniformed parking officers.

Initially, Parking Enforcement Notices will be issued without penalty, however, from 1 August 2010 the fixed penalty charges will be levied – £90 will apply for drivers who pay within 28 days, discounted to £45 if paid within 21 days.

More information:

Profits from the scheme will fund public transport improvements at the airport.
An appeals process has been set up – customers can either call or write to dispute their penalty.
Signage is to be erected in the car parks to inform drivers of the new scheme.

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