Councils making more from drivers

Councils in England took more than £411m in parking charges in 2011/12 – a rise of almost 15 per cent on 2010/11, the Institute of Advanced Motorists said.

Yet at the same time, the amount spent by councils on road safety, education and safe routes to schools, fell 18 per cent to £105m, the IAM said.

Across Yorkshire, revenue rose to almost £29m, a 43 per cent increase, the largest percentage rise of any region.

Wakefield Council leader Peter Box, chairman of the Local Government Association’s economy and transport board, said surpluses from parking revenue helped lessen the effect of cuts.

He said the money “must be spent on transport services such as filling potholes, bus passes for the elderly, park and ride schemes, street lights, parking services and road improvement projects”.