UK drivers hit by 20,000 parking fines EVERY DAY in 2022

Councils across the UK are issuing nearly 20,000 fines a day with the number of penalties being handed out surging by more than a third since 2020.

Analysis has found that the average number of daily parking tickets issued by local governments increased by 12 per cent from 17,500 in 2021 to 19,631 in the first six months last year, according to Churchill Motor Insurance.

In 2020, a total of 14,426 fines were issued each day when lockdowns meant that fewer cars were on the road.

Parking fines can cost motorists up to £70 outside of London and up to £130 inside the capital.

Data shows that parking fines brought in an average revenue of £777,287 every day for councils in the first half of last year.

Scott Dixon, of consumer service The Complaints Resolver, said: “Councils are looking to boost revenues after their coffers took a hit during the pandemic and motorists are easy targets.

“It’s a money making racket. Motorists are seen as soft targets and councils are playing a percentage game knowing that most drivers don’t feel confident enough to appeal tickets. It’s grossly unfair and if drivers feel a ticket is unfair then they must push back and appeal.”

Councils in London are more likely to hand out parking tickets with some issuing around 10 times the national average.

Islington topped the list by sending over a thousand penalty notices every day, which raised an average of £44,799.

While Lambeth issued less fines but brought in a higher revenue of £48,424 each day.

Brian Gregory, of the Alliance of British Drivers, argued that it was unfair that councils had decided to clamp down on drivers during a cost of living crisis.

He said: “Motorists are an easy target, of course - it’s more than inconsiderate, it’s downright wrong.

“The simple fact is that local authorities are up against it because costs are obviously going up and their income is being squeezed by the central government. They’re just thrashing about to find any way that they can to increase revenues.