Huge hike in tickets across area
Over 40 a day this year
This driver isn’t taking any chances, but over 12,000 tickets have already been issued this year The number of parking tickets dished out across Perth and Kinross rose by almost 5000 last year, the PA can reveal.
And figures obtained through a Freedom of Information request show this year’s stats are on target to be even higher again - with an average of 42 tickets handed out every day.
In 2017 parking attendants handed out 12,892 fines to vehicle owners - a staggering 5655 more than the previous year and equivelant of 35 a day.
As of October 16 this year, they had again been busy, writing spot penalties for 12,177 drivers.
The council has stated that the two years prior to the spike witnessed a dramatic drop in penalties due to “unfilled posts” and a “comprehensive review of parking services”, giving Perth residents an unintended respite from stricter parking measures.
The number of fines were 7852 in 2015, and 7237 in 2016.
However, the council has now boosted staff numbers as a result of the review.
A statement from FOI services at the council said: “The two years [2015 and 2016] represent a period of reduced operation due to unfilled posts, as well as the additional duties taken on by parking attendants, such as event support and control room operations.
“Following this period, staff numbers were increased to allow for these associated duties, as well as statutory enforcement.”
A spokesperson on behalf of Perth and Kinross Council said: “The number of penalty charge notices dropped in 2015 and 2016 while a comprehensive review of parking services was being undertaken locally.
“Following this, there has been an increased visibility in parking attendants, who have picked up more incidents of contraventions and issued more penalty charge notices as a result.
“All of the income generated is reinvested back into parking facilities across the local area.”
This year is set to be the highest number of fines over the last five years.
The number of tickets issued in 2013 was 10,728 and in 2014 it was 10,454.
The council also detailed the main reason behind parking ticket fines, with failure to display a valid pay and display ticket on their car as the most common.
Pparking on double yellow lines the second most common reason.
Increased visibility in parking attendants