Drivers face £34m parking charge hike
MOTORISTS are facing a £34million rise in parking charges and fines in the coming year, according to figures released yesterday.
English councils expect that profit from parking was expected to rise from £601million to £635million this year.
AA president Edmund King said the predicted rise was "shocking". He added: "Families are struggling with high fuel prices and the towns and cities that want their business are ramping up parking profits which damages the economy."
Last night Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles said the huge surpluses made by councils need to be reviewed.
He said: "This Government has scrapped the last administration's Whitehall rules which told councils to hike up parking charges.
"But councils aren't listening, and shops and hard-working families are suffering as a result."
