Motorists are being taken for a ride as councils rake in £1.35bn per year in car parking fees.
Shoppers and workers in town centres are being hit with a large bill in car parking charges as councils significantly increase the cost of meters for on and off-street parking.
The latest research, from the Co-Operative Motor Group, found that local council income from parking amounts to 31.35 billion a year.
Some of the worst streets are in Doncaster where roadside fees have increased by 125% in just three years.
Council |
Percentage increase |
Wigan |
92% |
Preston |
38.5% |
Scarborough |
36.4% |
Newcastle-upon-Tyne |
30% |
Telford |
30% |
According to figures, excluding penalty charge notices, English local authorities raised an extra £184 million in parking charges in 2010 compared to 2007. This figure increased to a shocking £277 million when including car parking penalty charges. This represents a 25% increase in three years!
The research pointed out the top five councils that increased prices for off-street parking over the last three years (2008-10)
The research also highlighted the top five councils for on-street parking fee increases in the same period.
Council |
Percentage increase |
Doncaster |
125% |
Derby |
42.9% |
Scarborough |
33.3% |
Manchester |
28.4% |
Halifax |
25% |
Thankfully, price hikes have not taken effect right across the UK. Plymouth, Cardiff, Torquay Worcester and certain parts of London have not seen a rise in on or off-street parking. However, some residents are now being stung with a 400% price hike for parking on their own street. The research found that a resident’s permit in Woking, Surrey now costs £50 a year, up from £10 a year.
Tony Guest, the Co-operative Motors General Manager, said; “Motorists are seen as a cash cow since the recession and the impact of Government spending cuts. Our research shows council parking charges have risen dramatically.”
“This is a double whammy on motorists because fuel prices have also gone sky high. Drivers in the south of England are hit the hardest, with income from car parking in those regions raising £708million for local councils.”
With the additional cost of car insurance and experts warning that petrol prices could increase further, now could be a good time to shop around for the cheapest deals.
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