Parking fines 'should not be used as source of income generation'

Local authorities should avoid using parking fines as a source of income generation, according to one group.

Commenting on the issue, a spokeswoman for the Taxpayers' Alliance - which was launched in 2004 and campaigns for lower taxes - said councils need to make sure the systems they use for punishing illegal parking are fair.

Her comments come after figures produced by a survey conducted by the Taxpayers' Alliance and the Drivers' Alliance revealed that Reading Borough Council made over £1.6 million from such penalties between May 2008 and September 2009.

This compared with £46,481 at Wokingham Borough Council and £92,605 at Bracknell Forest Council.

According to the Taxpayers' Alliance, some authorities use fines as a money spinner as opposed to a parking deterrent.

Its representative added: "It is essential residents in each of the councils know these figures so they can decide for themselves if the council is being particularly hawkish with parking enforcement."
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07/12/2009 16:57

News category: Motoring

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