London tops parking cost list
Drivers in London contribute almost half of the £1 billion revenue raise from parking costs, new figures reveal.
In 2003-04 Westminster collected £234.5 million, while Camden and Kensington and Chelsea brought in £40 million each.
Tom Brake, transport spokesman for the Liberal Democrats, said: “Its outrageous that Britain’s motorists are being charged over a billion pounds a year.
“It is easy to understand why people are angry about parking charges. These increases are punishing motorists without having any impact on reducing congestion.
The Lib Dems’ analyst of the figures suggests there has been a 71 per cent rise in the funds raised through parking charges since Labour came to power in 1997.
Mr Brake is calling for an independent investigation into the rise – including whether the income comes from fines or fees and the use of private parking contractors.
