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Councils' parking revenues increased 12% last year, study finds | Councils' parking revenues increased 12% last year, study finds |
(35 minutes later) | |
The money councils earn from parking rose 12% last year, according to an RAC Foundation survey. | The money councils earn from parking rose 12% last year, according to an RAC Foundation survey. |
English councils' combined surplus from parking operations went from £594m in 2012-13 to £667m in 2013-14. | English councils' combined surplus from parking operations went from £594m in 2012-13 to £667m in 2013-14. |
The five local authorities yielding the biggest take in parking fees were all in London, the research showed. | The five local authorities yielding the biggest take in parking fees were all in London, the research showed. |
A spokesman for the Local Government Association condemned the report as "misleading". | A spokesman for the Local Government Association condemned the report as "misleading". |
The RAC Foundation director Prof Stephen Glaister said parking charges were a "one-way street for councils", claiming they had risen annually for the last five years while spending on local roads had fallen. | The RAC Foundation director Prof Stephen Glaister said parking charges were a "one-way street for councils", claiming they had risen annually for the last five years while spending on local roads had fallen. |
The figures were reached by adding up income from parking charges and penalty notices, then deducting running costs. | The figures were reached by adding up income from parking charges and penalty notices, then deducting running costs. |
Communities and Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles said the analysis "shows how town halls are committing daylight robbery by ripping off drivers with exorbitant parking charges". | Communities and Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles said the analysis "shows how town halls are committing daylight robbery by ripping off drivers with exorbitant parking charges". |
The LGA's transport spokesman, Peter Box, rejected the claims, arguing the study was "based on the deep-rooted misconception that councils make a profit from parking". | The LGA's transport spokesman, Peter Box, rejected the claims, arguing the study was "based on the deep-rooted misconception that councils make a profit from parking". |
Top 10 councils for parking charge surpluses | |
Source: RAC Foundation | |
By law, any surplus councils make from parking fees must be ploughed back into transport projects such as road improvements. | |
Heather Acton, parking spokeswoman for Westminster, the highest-earning council, said it was "hardly surprising that we are talking about big numbers, due to the huge demand for parking in Westminster". | |
The RAC calculated that the total surplus accounted for 14% of councils' spending on transport in 2013-14, falling to 7% after running costs were taken into account. | |
Its analysis also suggested that local authorities were making some improvements in efficiency, having reduced their running costs by 10% for on-street parking and 8% for off-street. |
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