A new report has revealed how once again Bath and North East Somerset Council has profited more than £5 million from parking charges in the past year.
The figures, analysed by the RAC Foundation, show that almost all local authorities in England generate extra money from parking charges and fines.
Bath and North East Somerset Council is the 26th highest earner out of 353 authorities across England, profiting £5.35 million.
In 2012-2013, local councils gained a £594 million surplus of funds from their parking charges.
Bath and North East Somerset Council’s income has reduced over the past few years however, only pocketing £10 million during 2012-2013, down from a £10.7 million income during 2011-2012. This is a 12% reduction from 2009-2010.
Professor Stephen Glaister, director of the RAC Foundation, said: “It is a case of déjà vu. Once again English councils have made record amounts from parking. Yet overall spending on local roads has fallen by 9% over the past three years with road safety expenditure down by as much as 20%.
“The government’s recent decision to consult on changes to parking rules and regulations is timely and we have always argued that at the very least all councils should publish an annual parking report to explain how much money is collected from drivers and, just as importantly, where that cash is going.
“It might be that some of the extra ‘profit’ has arisen because councils’ costs for running parking services have been reduced but drivers need to know this.
“There’s no disputing the figures we have looked at. They are the numbers the councils themselves submit to central government.
“What’s more, council budgets show that the surplus for the current year is set to be higher still.”
