In an unprecedented surge, motorists shelled out a staggering £782 million in parking fines to councils over the past year, marking an increase of £160 million compared to the previous year.

This sharp 26 percent uptick in fines collected by local authorities has sparked criticism from campaigners, who argue that councils are treating drivers as mere “wallets on wheels.”

Delving into the figures reveals that an astonishing 1,500 motorists faced penalties every hour, with fines averaging £60 but potentially soaring to £160. This equates to over 35,000 parking tickets being issued daily.

Several factors contribute to this surge, including councils both raising the penalty amounts and expanding the zones where parking is regulated. However, pressure groups point out another issue compounding the problem: the reliance on smartphone apps for parking payments. This tech-centric approach often poses challenges, particularly for elderly drivers who may struggle with the technology.

Jack Cousens, the AA’s head of roads policy, voiced his concerns, stating, “Council parking fine levels are only growing, and drivers are being seen as wallets on wheels.”

Jack Cousens, head of roads policy at the AA, said: ‘Council parking fine levels are only growing and drivers are being seen as wallets on wheels.

‘With budgets stretched, one way councils can generate cash is to squeeze more from parking fees and charges.

‘Using an app should be part of the offering to drivers, not the only option. People still want to pay for parking with cash or card at the machine, so they can then spend on the High Street.’

Campaigners have accused councils of treating motorists as ‘wallets on wheels’ over the 26 per cent increase in fines collected by town halls

Many councils have withdrawn pay and display parking machines in favour of parking apps, claiming it saves money by reducing the risk of theft and avoiding the need to upgrade machines.

Dennis Reed, director of the over-60s group Silver Voices, said: ‘Councils are driving senior citizens off the road with their punitive parking policies, to the great detriment of the High Street.

‘Not only are parking charges now ubiquitous but often they require a downloaded app on a smartphone in order to park legally at all. This is gross discrimination against all those without a smartphone, or the digital skills to use such appliances.’

Much of the record haul was collected by councils in London, where fines increased by £30 up to £160 last year, and those in other major cities around the country.

The top 16 councils for parking ticket income were all in the capital, with Westminster in central London raking in nearly £50 million in tickets.

Outside the capital, Manchester collected the most revenue, narrowly edging out Brighton and Hove. Leicester, Leeds, Liverpool and Newcastle were also in the top ten.

The true total for parking penalties is likely to be even higher as nine of the country’s local authorities, including Birmingham, failed to submit their statistics in time to be included in the analysis.

Hugh Bladon, a founder member of the Alliance of British Drivers, said: ‘Councils are relying on taking money out of the motorists’ pockets to subsidise the running of their authorities.

The figures reveal 1,500 motorists an hour were hit with fines, which average £60 but can go up to £160, or more than 35,000 tickets a day (stock image) 

‘The motorist is seen as an easy target and there are more and more rules and regulations that they can fall foul of and end up being fined. It doesn’t seem fair.’

Benjamin Elks, of the Taxpayers’ Alliance, added: ‘Councils raking in £782 million from parking fines in a year looks less like managing traffic and more like using motorists as cash machines.’

A spokesman for the Local Government Association said councils have faced a massive increase in vehicles in recent decades, which has led to more demand for parking.

‘Councils take their responsibility to help ensure sufficient parking provision and enforce against those who park illegally very seriously.

‘Over the last 25 years there has been an increase of ten million more vehicles on our roads. This has made it increasingly challenging for councils to manage parking demand.’