Council's parking income soars by almost £500k (From Enfield Independent)

Enfield Borough Council's parking income soars by almost £500k according to Institute of Advanced Motorists

5:10pm Friday 11th January 2013 in News By Hermione Wright

Income from parking fees has soared by almost £500,000 in one year.

Enfield Borough Council’s revenue from on and off street parking has increased by 18 per cent, from £2,578,000 in 2010 to 2011, to £3,054,000 between 2011 and 2012.

The information, released by the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM), reveals 23 of London’s 33 boroughs saw their revenue increase.

Kingston upon Thames saw its parking income rise by 320 per cent - a jump from £842,000 in 2010 to 2011 to £3,539,000 the following year.

London-wide, councils' parking coffers increased from £534million in 2010 to 2011 to £547m between 2011 and 2012.

However, the amount spent by council’s throughout the city dropped by 22 per cent from £12.7million to £9.9million. 

IAM chief executive, Simon Best, said: “London’s councils must recognise the financial burdens already faced by motorists and rule out any further rises in parking fees.

"At the same time, below-inflation spending on road maintenance will mean a backlog of repairs which will simply cost more to fix in the long term.”

However, the council's Cabinet Member for Environment, Councillor Chris Bond, said the IAM's figures are not accurate.

He said: "The figures quoted by the Institute of advanced motorists are not accurate.

"Enfield Council's total parking income after expenditure was £969,010 in 2010 to11 and £1,362,633 in 2011 to 12, this increase was due to the decision of London Council's to increase the cost of Penalty Charge Notices to drivers who park illegally.

"The excess of income was used to provide Freedom Passes for elderly residents and children."