Leeds City Council made millions in profit from parking charges last year

Parking services raised £6.5 million in profit in 2018-19, according to Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government data. This was 23 per cent less than the previous year, when it made £8.4 million.

On-street parking made the most profit last year, at £4.4 million. The rest came from off-street parking, such as council-run car parks.

Jack Cousens, head of roads policy for the AA, said: “When it comes to parking charges, many councils see drivers as wallets on wheels. At a time when budgets are stretched, raking in parking fees seems to be a tool used to try and fill the councils’ coffers.

“Some of the incomes are eyewatering, so drivers want to see that cash reinvested in local roads to eliminate potholes and poor road markings.”

Transport research charity the RAC Foundation said profits could be overstated in some areas, as costs such as interest payments are not included.

But Steve Gooding, the foundation’s director, said: “What will surprise drivers is that even as parking income soars, the amount of money being spent on routine road maintenance by councils has been in reverse.”

The drop in profits made from parking in Leeds bucks the trend across England, where profits hit a record high of £936 million.

This was an increase of £63 million from the previous year.

David Renard, transport spokesman for the Local Government Association, said councils were on the side of motorists and shoppers, and that parking policies aim to make sure there are spaces available for residents, high streets are kept vibrant and traffic is kept moving.