PARKING tickets could soon rocket from £15 to £40. ‘I’ve wanted to put them up for a considerable time now,’ said Home minister Mike Torode yesterday.

‘Fifteen pounds was frankly a bit of a joke. £40 is a more than reasonable amount. There are a large number of people around Town who treat the £15 fine as little more than a normal business expense.’

The Home Department’s proposals include applying fixed penalties to more offences. There would be a £70 fine for a vehicle making excessive noise or having unfit tyres and a £100 penalty for those caught using their mobile phone while driving or using a vehicle with faulty brakes.

In all cases, the fine would be reduced by £10 if paid within seven days.

Deputy Torode said that when the draft policy letter was submitted to the Policy Council earlier this month, many of its members did not think it went far enough. Some said that all the penalties were insufficient and needed lifting,’ he said.

When the police discover a problem with a vehicle, the motorist can avoid further action by producing it with the fault rectified within 14 days. If the vehicle has multiple problems or the person fails to comply with the rectification scheme, the driver is reported.

Deputy Torode hoped that the three-tier fixed-penalty system would see more minor offences settled out of court, saving everyone time.

‘It ‘fixed penalties’ would only be used in circumstances where summonses would otherwise be issued.’

On Monday, the Home Department will discuss the suggestions made by the Policy Council and will submit an amended States report, probably in October.

* Almost 21,000 fixed-penalty notices were issued in 2005, generating more than £300,000 for general revenue. If the £40 per ticket level is approved by the States, that could rise to more than £830,000.