Today’s Daily Telegraph reports the progress into law of the London Local Authorities Bill 2011   which includes the provision that car owners will be held responsible for litter dropped from their vehicles.

It decriminalises the offence  making it a civil matter where  the burden of proof is on the “balance of probabilities“. Enforcement will be   through a Penalty Charge Notice. Disputes would handled by an adjudicator.  The fines will be up to £100.

As there would be no risk of  being drawn into expensive court hearings  London Boroughs will have no excuse for not using their new powers.

Penalty Charge Notices were introduced in the Traffic management Act 2004  - Part 6 Civil enforcement of traffic contraventions

For an update on its progress through Parliament please click here