And finally…Scots councils take in record £33m in parking charges and fines

RAC_Foundation_logoScottish local authorities raked in a record profit of more than £33 million last year from parking charges and fines.

New data released by the RAC Foundation found a total of £73.3m was raised across the country through parking last year, while the total cost of running parking activities was £39.8m.

That left councils at the end of 2013-14 with a collective surplus of £33.5 million, up £200,000 on last year.

Three authorities accounting for almost the entire amount.



Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen took in £15.3m, £10.3m and £5m respectively, according to the RAC analysis of data returned annually to the Scottish Government by local authorities.

It also showed that 16 councils made a profit, 13 made a loss and parking operations in the Shetland Islands broke even.

Professor Stephen Glaister, director of the RAC Foundation, said: “These numbers tell the definitive story.

“Not all authorities are generating a surplus but overall we are talking about big money.

“Nobody wants a parking free for all but when we are talking about such large sums, local authorities should be transparent with residents and drivers about what their parking policy is.”

Two councils, East Lothian and North Lanarkshire, did not provide accounts.

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