Caught on Tape: How London Parking Wardens Are Being Pushed to Hand Out Tickets

​In a recent exposé, audio recordings have surfaced revealing that parking wardens employed by Ealing Council's in-house contractor, Greener Ealing Ltd (GEL), are being pressured to meet daily quotas for issuing penalty charge notices (PCNs).This practice appears to contravene the Traffic Management Act, which prohibits councils from setting such targets.​

Unlawful Ticketing Targets

The recordings, obtained by The Standard, capture managers instructing wardens to issue "10 or 11" tickets during each eight-hour shift. Failure to meet these quotas reportedly results in disciplinary measures for "low performance." One manager is heard stating that the expected ticketing rate is "1.27 per hour," equating to approximately 10 tickets per shift.This directive is framed as GEL policy. ​

The Traffic Management Act explicitly forbids councils from imposing targets on the number of PCNs issued or the revenue generated from parking enforcement. Despite this, Ealing Council has acknowledged using the rate of tickets issued per hour as a "performance measure," though it denies setting explicit targets. ​

Union Response and Worker Safety Concerns

Sharon Graham, General Secretary of the Unite union, has condemned the council's actions, accusing it of "ripping off residents" and jeopardizing the safety of parking wardens. She highlighted that pressuring workers to issue tickets indiscriminately increases the risk of abuse and assaults, particularly for those working alone at night. ​unitetheunion.org

The union has also criticized the council for refusing to recognize the wardens as a distinct bargaining unit, which they believe would address issues related to ticket quotas and worker representation. ​

Surge in Parking Fines and Revenue

Ealing Council's parking enforcement activities have intensified significantly. Between 2022 and 2023, the number of parking tickets issued doubled, leading to an additional £2.6 million in revenue—a 149% increase. In the 2023/24 period, the council issued 95,094 parking tickets. This surge has sparked concerns about the fairness and motivations behind the council's parking enforcement strategies.​unitetheunion.org+6The Sun+6The Standard+6hounslowherald.com+2unitetheunion.org+2unitetheunion.org+2The Sun+1The Standard+1

Council's Stance

Ealing Council maintains that it does not set PCN targets within its contract with GEL. A spokesperson stated that the number of PCNs issued per hour is utilized as one of several performance measures, reflecting varying compliance levels across the borough. The council emphasizes its commitment to staff well-being and a balanced approach to performance and service delivery. ​

Legal and Ethical Implications

The revelations raise significant legal and ethical questions. The Traffic Management Act's prohibition on ticketing targets aims to ensure that enforcement is conducted fairly and not driven by revenue generation. By allegedly imposing quotas, Ealing Council and GEL may be violating this legislation, potentially undermining public trust and exposing themselves to legal challenges.​

Impact on Residents and Motorists

For Ealing residents and motorists, these practices could lead to perceptions of unfair treatment and exploitation. The substantial increase in PCNs and associated revenue suggests that enforcement may be driven more by financial incentives than by genuine traffic management needs. This situation underscores the importance of transparency and accountability in local government operations.​London Councils

Broader Context in London

Ealing is not alone in facing scrutiny over parking enforcement practices. London Councils' enforcement and appeals statistics for 2023/24 indicate that over 8.3 million PCNs were issued across the capital, a 9.7% increase from the previous year. This trend highlights a broader pattern of escalating parking enforcement and raises questions about the balance between regulation and revenue generation.​London Councils London Council

The exposure of alleged ticketing quotas within Ealing Council's parking enforcement operations brings to light critical issues regarding legality, ethics, and worker safety. As the council faces mounting pressure from unions and the public, it must address these concerns transparently and ensure that its practices align with legal standards and the principles of fair governance.​