Parking stories in the News/media

daveyjp

Nellymoser said:

Councils plunder £1.2 billion profits from car parking charges in 12 months

https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/367822/councils-plunder-ps12-billion-profits-car-parking-charges-12-months

Councils are raking in hundreds of millions of pounds of profits per year from on- and off-street car parking, with critics saying this kind of “plunder” is down to a lack of restrictions on what authorities can charge motorists to park their cars.

The latest data from the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government shows that local councils in England generated a grand total of £2.3 billion from parking between April 2024 and March 2025 which, when taking into account running and maintenance costs, equates to an eye-watering £1.2 billion in profit.

The AA branded these latest figures as a “record parking plunder spree”. Head of roads Policy, Jack Cousens said: “For too many councils, particularly in cities, the cost of parking seems to have gone from a reasonable charge to a full-on local tax. Why? Because there is next to nothing holding them back.”

Councils aren't profit generators, so the story is nonsense.  Any surplus will be used to provide other services.

patient_dream

daveyjp said:

Nellymoser said:

Councils plunder £1.2 billion profits from car parking charges in 12 months

https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/367822/councils-plunder-ps12-billion-profits-car-parking-charges-12-months

Councils are raking in hundreds of millions of pounds of profits per year from on- and off-street car parking, with critics saying this kind of “plunder” is down to a lack of restrictions on what authorities can charge motorists to park their cars.

The latest data from the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government shows that local councils in England generated a grand total of £2.3 billion from parking between April 2024 and March 2025 which, when taking into account running and maintenance costs, equates to an eye-watering £1.2 billion in profit.

The AA branded these latest figures as a “record parking plunder spree”. Head of roads Policy, Jack Cousens said: “For too many councils, particularly in cities, the cost of parking seems to have gone from a reasonable charge to a full-on local tax. Why? Because there is next to nothing holding them back.”

Councils aren't profit generators, so the story is nonsense.  Any surplus will be used to provide other services.

You mean like pot holes and third world roads

Nellymoser

And providing other services like this

Anger over £30k bill for councillors' free parking

Liverpool City Council 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0r70d4j491o

Row over £1k spent on council parking spaces

https://uk.news.yahoo.com/row-over-1k-spent-council-154408479.html

Cash-strapped council spends £21k on ‘pointless’ resident survey

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/cash-strapped-council-spends-21k-133154919.html

So the story wouldn't have been a nonsense if it said Councils plunder £1.2 billion surplus from car parking charges in 12 months

daveyjp

Councillors can claim the costs of parking as its an allowable expense.  It is therefore cheaper to provide a free pass than spend money processing claims for dozens of councillors.

Coupon-mad

Good on this business, refusing to accept (and legally challenging) the planned imposition of a parking firm by the landowner:

The Red Carpet Cinema’s Kate Silverwood launched a fundraising campaign to support her efforts to halt any future plans to introduce charges.

Writing on her online fundraiser, she said:

“I’ve been forced to take legal action to preserve two contracts that guarantee 250 free parking spaces here at Barton Marina.

“These charges not only threaten the viability of my business, but also the viability of all the small businesses here.”

https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/2025/09/21/cinema-owners-fundraising-campaign-to-fight-parking-charge-plans-at-barton-marina-passes-25000/

Under the original plans, charges for parking would have been £1 for up to one hour, £2 for up to two hours, £3 for two to five hours and £5 for up to 24 hours. Between 5pm and 5am a £1 charge would have applied.

Speaking when the original plans were unveiled, a spokesperson for Barton Turns Development said:

“Bringing in charges ensures that everyone will pay a little bit towards keeping the site well-maintained. The improvements will make Barton Marina more welcoming and accessible and safer for pedestrians, young children and those with disabilities.

“All parking fines go to the company operating the car parks and do not benefit Barton Marina.”

Why do the brainless, deluded and easily led landowners who fall for 'ANPR rich data' spiel always say that last bit, as if inflicting a rogue agent to pocket £100 rip-offs for their own profits somehow makes the scam OK?

They also always repeat the PPC spin that they are 'addressing complaints'. Yawn. I call BS.

Coupon-mad

I'll post this and the comments from locals but I don't condone it, so don't blame the messenger. This article is in the public interest and absolutely on topic for this thread.

It raises an issue that could be seen more and more if the Government fail to clamp down on PPC World whose parking charges now look set to read close to 19 MILLION. If they can't be bothered to properly protect the public then we might see more of this in the UK:

Visitors cover up number plates at beach car park to dodge ANPR fees

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/uk-news/visitors-cover-up-number-plates-32363708.amp

Sam Peters captured the unusual sight while visiting Fistral beach.

“Several vehicles had makeshift covers fixed to their registration plates,” he said.

The protest highlights growing anger over private firms managing public spaces and the impact on everyday users.

Footage was captured on 25 August, with online reaction quickly following. 

One user wrote: “Good on them. The parking companies are just crooks.” 

Another added: “I actually support this. Parking companies are the worst, especially when we have endless space.” 

Someone said: “Don’t blame them - locals can’t even go for an early morning surf without getting a ticket, and that’s before 7am.”

Coupon-mad

Lapstone pub U-turns on £100 fines — introduces £20 parking pass instead

https://www.eastleighnews.co.uk/2025/09/lapstone-pub-parking-pass/

Having finally kicked out CEL for nearly ruining this pub they are running a voucher scheme to turn casual car park local users into customers.

Good idea!

"The move comes after widespread backlash to the ANPR system, which was operated by Liverpool-based Civil Enforcement Ltd, the same firm behind a controversial parking setup at Eastleigh’s Concorde Club.

Previously, those who failed to register their vehicle within a 15-minute grace period were hit with fines of up to £100, prompting anger from school-run parents and pubgoers alike.

But the scheme drew over 100 angry comments on Facebook and widespread criticism.

With the ANPR cameras now removed, the new Lapstone Pass will allow continued access for regular users, including during school drop-off and pick-up times, while also supporting the pub."

Kaizen2024

With no consequences for not buying the £20 (honesty box) permit, they will be back to square one and have no parking available for bonafide customers. 

Jenni_D

Kaizen2024 said:

With no consequences for not buying the £20 (honesty box) permit, they will be back to square one and have no parking available for bonafide customers. 

No they won't - carmageddon will not happen; it's only something your lot have invented. 🙄

MothballsWallet

Kaizen2024 said:

With no consequences for not buying the £20 (honesty box) permit, they will be back to square one and have no parking available for bonafide customers. 

I think you (and "your lot" as @Jenni_D puts it) would love to send drivers who break the rules sent to The Hague courts on maximum level charges.