New research has revealed the mountain of cash that councils are collecting from drivers in England for car parking fees and fines.

The figures from the RAC Foundation show the extent of the funds made from parking activities in 2019/20 with an estimated £913million surplus expected from charges and penalties. Though not all councils are making a profit, of the 343 local authorities, 278 have a surplus. All monies made from parking has to be spent on local transport services.

Speaking about the huge figure, the RAC’s Foundation Director Steve Gooding said: "It would be no surprise at all if English councils soon breached the one billion-pound mark for the amount they make annually from parking, which is quite a windfall from a service that is intended to be all about managing traffic.

“It’s quite a windfall from a service that is intended to be all about managing traffic.

"Not every authority makes big money, some even run at loss, but where authorities are making money drivers might reasonably hope that some finds its way specifically into tackling road repairs not just on transport more generally."

Eight of the top ten highest earning councils were in Central London, with Westminster Council raising a whopping £72.1m from charges. Brighton and Bournemouth were the highest grossing councils outside of the capital.

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