Drivers hit with £335m parking tickets in a year

SUNDAY MIRROR

DRIVERS are being stung for a massive £6.5million in parking fines every week.

Councils in England took £335million in penalty tickets last year, issuing eight every minute. Their total haul from motorists, including permits and charges, was a record £1.5billion – more than £4million a day.

Hugh Bladon of the Alliance of British Drivers said: “The motorist is seen as an easy target.

“Councils put up the price of parking and increase the areas with double yellow lines, making it harder to find a space to park.

“It’s a self-perpetuating cycle and the more they fine drivers the more likely motorists are to go to out-of-of-town shopping centres.” London councils collected the most, with Lambeth raking in £19.8million, Haringey taking £17.6million and Hammersmith and Fulham receiving £15.4million.

Elsewhere, the places banking the most from parking fines were Brighton and Hove with £5.9million, Manchester with £ 5million and Cheshire with £4.6million.

Mr Bladon added: “The money taken in fines would be better spent in local shops and businesses than going to councils, who generally waste it.”

Town halls insist they do not profit from parking. The Local Government Association said: “Councils are on the side of hardpressed motorists so try to ensure there are spaces available for everyone and keep traffic moving. A tiny minority do not park appropriately and cause congestion as well as making it more difficult and dangerous for others to park.” Brighton and Hove £5.9m Manchester £5m Cheshire £4.6m East Sussex £4m Bradford £3.7m Essex £3.5m Bristol £2.7m Newcastle £2.4m Devon £2.3m Medway £2.2m