Skip operators in the capital who flout the law may now be fined £200 in a move to protect residents and maintain road safety agreed by London boroughs.

London Councils’ Transport and Environment Committee (TEC) agreed to set penalties for contravening regulations for operating skips on London’s public highways, including offences such as not removing a skip once full or not having proper lighting.

It follows a public consultation in which more than 80% of respondents agreed with a £200 penalty – reduced to £100 if paid within 14 days or increased to £400 if not paid within 28 days.

Cllr Julian Bell, TEC chairman, said: “Illegally-operated skips are a blight on many Londoner’s lives. This decision is an important step forward in boroughs’ power to crack down on this problem and will also have a positive impact on road safety.

“These powers will also cost boroughs less to enforce than in the past and operators will have the right to appeal. I’m confident the level of penalty charges will act as a powerful deterrent to anyone operating skips outside the law.”

TEC also agreed new discretionary powers for councils to immobilise skips which contravene regulations – for example, where the identity of the skip’s operator is not known – thereby incurring a £100 release fee in addition to the penalty charge notice.

The Secretary of State must now ratify the decision and boroughs wishing to enforce the new powers must agree this at full council.

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