Motorists across the East of England are being treated as 'cash cows' by local councils raking in millions from car parking charges, a senior councillor has warned.
Profits and Protests
Official figures reveal that councils in the East of England generated a staggering £38 million in profit from parking during the 2024-25 financial year. This marks a significant increase from the £36 million recorded in 2021-22.
Richard Rout, a Conservative Party cabinet member on Suffolk County Council, issued a stark warning. "We need to stop punishing the motorist and encourage people on to our high streets," he stated, highlighting the counterproductive nature of high charges.
He provided a local example, noting that in his home town of Bury St Edmunds, one car park fee had jumped by 20% in a single year. Rout asserted, "I think for too long councils have treated motorists at best as a cash cow and at worst as the enemy."
High Street Impact and Council Justification
The sentiment was echoed by Robin Hunter-Clarke, the first Reform UK councillor in Norfolk, who called the practice "totally immoral." He emphasised the struggle to keep high streets vibrant, stating, "It's a huge cost for people and we have got to be doing more to encourage people to use the high street."
However, councils defended their position, citing severe financial pressures. Elisa Meschini, Labour group leader on Cambridgeshire County Council, explained that local authorities have lost 80% of their central government funding.
"We need to make money somewhere," she said, adding that "parking infrastructure is expensive to maintain." She also pointed to cities like Cambridge, where managing the low supply of spaces requires pricing to ensure turnover.
Broader Reactions and Government Stance
The AA's head of roads policy, Jack Cousens, criticised councils for creating "new ways and reasons to plunder more money from people with cars, often on low incomes travelling in for work."
In response to the growing controversy, a Department for Transport spokeswoman acknowledged the role of parking enforcement in keeping roads safe but stated that "penalty charges should be fair." The government confirmed it is considering new evidence from the parking sector on current fine levels and will respond in due course.
