UK councils generated more than £360m from residential parking permits during the last five years, according to new research from online used car retailer cinch.
Freedom of Information (FOI) requests were submitted to 218 local authorities in the UK, revealing the revenue that resident-only parking schemes generated. In total, 128 councils responded with their data.
The 10 highest-earning councils generated more than £238m alone, making up for almost two thirds of the total revenue.
Top 10 councils by total revenue from residential permits (2020-2024):
1. Wandsworth Borough Council – £38,243,000
2. Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea Council – £31,519,135
3. Brighton and Hove City Council – £28,375,023
4. Islington Borough Council – £23,175,010
5. Hackney Borough Council – £23,070,334
6. Haringey Borough Council – £17,797,946
7. Lambeth Borough Council – £17,786,315
8. Waltham Forest Borough Council – £16,744,131
9. Brent Borough Council – £14,383,918
10. Tower Hamlets Borough Council – £13,770,108
Aside from Brighton and Hove City Council taking the number three position, all other positions in the top 10 were taken by London borough councils.
Most councils also saw dramatic growth in their revenue when comparing 2020 to 2024.
Top 10 councils by revenue growth from residential permits (2020 vs.2024):
1. Nottingham City Council – 2009%
2. Coventry City Council – 543%
3. Aberdeenshire Council – 500%
4. Hampshire County Council – 364%
5. Hillingdon Borough Council – 282%
6. Thurrock Borough Council – 269%
7. Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead – 215%
8. Cardiff Council – 214%
9. Bracknell Forest Borough Council – 186%
10. Powys County Council – 179%
In contrast to the councils with the highest total revenue, which was primarily focused within London boroughs, the largest increases across the five-year reporting period covered a wider range of the UK – including smaller authorities such as Powys County Council.
For many drivers living in cities and other urban areas, parking permits can be seen as a necessity, but the costs continue to rise.
Sam Sheehan, motoring editor at cinch, said: ‘The total revenue from residential parking permit revenue is eye-opening. With almost £360m raised by the 128 upper tier local authorities that responded, the real total will be significantly higher.
‘It’s interesting to see which councils have raised the most and how rapidly some are increasing charges year-on-year. For anyone budgeting the cost of motoring, permits are increasingly becoming a cost to factor in alongside fuel, insurance and maintenance.’
For more informatoin, click here to see further research from cinch.
Image credit: Shutterstock @Pompaem Gogh
