THE number of parking tickets being issued to motorists in London is falling, according to the latest figures from London Councils.

And that includes a drop in Bexley, although the fines still bring in huge amounts of money.

In the last two years across London, the number of penalty charge notices (PCNs) issued has dropped by 22 per cent.

Bexley has also followed the trend, although more people are appealing against their parking tickets.

Two years ago, in 2007/8, Bexley’s parking enforcement team issued 64,566 tickets.

But by 2009/10, the number had dropped to 54,138.

In 2007 the system of fines changed.

Up until July that year, there had been a uniform charge of £60, with £80 in Bexleyheath town centre.

Before the change, Bexley had issued 15,405 PCNs.

But when the new two-tier system was introduced, more serious parking offences such as parking on zigzag lines attracted a £100 fine, while the less serious like overstaying time on a meter cost £60.

In Bexleyheath’s town centre the fines became £120 and £80.

For the remainder of 2007/8 Bexley issued 38,830 higher rate tickets and 10,331 lower fines, a pattern which still persists.

By 2008/9 Bexley was issuing 55,579 PCNs to bad parkers.

Of these 42,885 were at the higher rate and 12,724 were lower rate fines.

Last year the figure dropped even further and of the 54,138 PCNs issued, 41,321 were at the higher rate and 12,817 at the lower rate.

But the number of appeals appears to be rising.

In 2008/9 there were 884 appeals and of those dealt with, 469 were allowed and 377 rejected.

But last year 1,027 appeals were lodged with 539 allowed and 442 refused.

Councillor Peter Craske, cabinet member for transport said: "Bexley will be publishing its own annual report in the autumn, which will give more details on parking enforcement.

"But this proves the myth that the council sets targets for the number of tickets it issues or amount the fines raise is just that, a myth."