More than 24,000 parking fines issued by Wiltshire Council last year
Over five million were given out across the country
Last updated 25th May 2022
New figures have revealed that Wiltshire Council issued more than 24,000 parking fines in 2021.
In total 24,168 were handed out by the local authority.
Those fines brought in £795,044 across the county - £777,153 off this was for on-street parking and the remaining £17,891 was for off-street.
It comes as a study shows that more than 5.2 million penalty charge notices (PCNs) were issued across Britain last year.
£254.9 million worth of fines were issued to motorists, the equivalent of £55,500 every day.
Manchester issued the greatest number of PCNs in 2021, handing out 341,000 tickets.
Winchester also featured in the top 10 with 130,000.
The figures were revealed by Churchill Motor Insurance, through freedom of information requests submitted to local councils.
The rise in PCNs issued across Britain comes as local councils expand the number of roads that have parking restrictions in place.
Overall, 63 per cent of councils increased the number of roads with parking restrictions, meaning 80,200 roads across Britain now have some level of restriction in place, 1,200 more than in 2020.
Nearly a third (29 per cent) of councils also implemented new resident parking permit controls in 2021.
Nicholas Mantel, Head of Churchill Motor Insurance, said:
“Parking is one of the most stressful aspects of driving, especially for families, who are often stretched for time and who don’t want their car too far from their ultimate destination.
“It is becoming increasingly difficult for motorists in towns and cities across Britain to find spots to park, especially for free, as local authorities seek to reduce congestion and put ever more controls in place.
“Nearly two thirds of councils have brought in new rules recently, meaning there are many roads with restrictions in place that didn’t have them in 2020. The last thing drivers need is to come back to a fine, so it’s vital to double check the parking signs before leaving your car.”
Cllr Dr Mark McClelland, Cabinet Member for Transport said:
“In 2021 Wiltshire Council issued 24,168 parking penalty charge notices, totalling £772,784.
“Parking enforcement ensures compliance with the traffic regulation orders that are in place to manage vehicle movements. Any surplus from parking charge notices, once the costs of provision of off-street parking facilities has been met, are used to support public transport services or road improvements as stipulated in the Road Traffic Regulations Act 1984.
“The council is committed to supporting the local economy and ensuring that Wiltshire remains a beautiful and exciting place to live and work and parking enforcement plays a part in achieving these aims by ensuring traffic can move freely throughout the county and shoppers can park in our car parks.”