UK councils issue about 20,000 parking fines every day

Councils increased their income to an estimated £777,287 per day last year, up £35,113 from 2021

This year's parking fine figures show a 12 per cent rise from 2021. PA

About 20,000 parking fines were issued every day in the UK last year, new figures show.

Data analysed by Churchill Motor Insurance suggest fines were handed out by local authorities at a daily rate of 19,631 in 2022.

This year's figures show a 12 per cent rise from 2021.

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The increased revenue for councils hit an estimated £777,287 ($950,000) per day last year, up £35,113 from 2021.

The analysis is based on data provided by the 230 UK councils that responded to Freedom of Information requests.

Penalty Charge Notices, also known as parking fines, are issued when motorists break regulations, such as by parking on double yellow lines or on a single yellow line at a prohibited time.

Fines can be up to £130 in London or up to £70 outside the capital.

The penalty is usually halved if a driver pays within 14 days.

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Islington Council in north London issued more fines than any other local authority, with a daily average of 1,012.

Birmingham City Council (373), Southampton City Council (313) and Cardiff Council (279) issued the most parking fines outside London.

“Motorists across Britain are regularly being caught out by increased and sometimes complicated parking restrictions,” said Nicholas Mantel, head of Churchill Motor Insurance.

“We would encourage drivers to always check parking signs carefully to ensure they avoid any expensive fines.

“If motorists do receive a parking fine, they have 28 days to pay it or appeal to an independent tribunal.”

Recent analysis by the PA news agency found that the number of parking tickets issued by private companies in Britain reached an average of about 30,000 per day between April and June last year, up 50 per cent from the same period in 2021.

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“Whichever way they turn and wherever they decide to stop, on-street and off-street, drivers are faced with the threat of parking sanctions,” said Steve Gooding, director of the RAC Foundation.

“Between the 20,000 tickets issued by councils daily and the 30,000 dished out by private parking companies, motorists are seemingly facing a positive flurry of fines and charges — around one every two seconds.

“Parking rules are there for a reason and should be respected but at a time when household budgets are under such pressure, these numbers beg the obvious question of whether millions of drivers are really risking a big bill for poor parking, or whether overenthusiastic parking enforcement is putting other objectives, like revitalising our post-pandemic high streets, at risk.”

A representative for the Local Government Association, which represents councils in England and Wales, said: “Income raised through on-street parking charges and parking fines is spent on running parking services.

“Any surplus is spent on essential transport projects, including fixing the £11 billion road repairs backlog, reducing congestion, tackling poor air quality and supporting local bus services.”

Updated: January 13, 2023, 12:01 AM