Brent Council made £11m from parking fines last year
Brent Council made more than �11m from parking fines in 2012/2013 - Credit: Archant
Brent Council racked up the sixth highest income from parking fines in London, according to government figures.
This CCTV camera in Willesden High Road is also being used to issue parking tickets (pic credit: Jan Nevill) - Credit: Archant
Data released by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) revealed the town hall received just under £11.2 million from motorists in 2012/2013.
Westminster topping the list with motorists being fined £24.5 million followed by Hammersmith and Fulham with £17.9m, and Hackney, Lambeth and Camden councils came third, fourth and fifth with £17.3m, £17.2m and £15m respectively.
Brent Council have recently come under fire for using crime prevention cameras to catch drivers breaking parking rules.
Westminster, Hackney, Lambeth, and Camden also use the practice which has been slammed by MP Brandon Lewis, the DCLG’s Parliamentary Under Secretary of State
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Speaking in Parliament on the issue last month, the Conservative politician said: “Unreasonable parking charges and fines push up hard-working people’s cost of living.
“If parking is too expensive or difficult, shoppers will drive to out of town supermarkets or just shop online, undermining the vitality of town centres and leading to ‘ghost town’ high streets.”
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Tony Antoniou MBE, chair of the Traders Association Willesden Green, claims the use of the cameras was driving business away from the area.
He said: “The figure is shocking comes as no surprised because they are using cameras erected to stop crime to enforced tickets.
“Instead of using these cameras to make money of residents who are already feeling the pitch, they should be use for their original purpose, to enforce crime- especially with the fall of police patrolling our streets.”
Mr Antonio has launched a petition which will be handed in to the council and he has written to all members of Parliament calling for the practice to be outlawed.
Brent Council dispute the DCLG’s figures saying all income related to parking charges were included in some years and omitted in others.
Cllr Muhammed Butt, leader of the council, added: “We take very seriously our responsibility to keep our busy streets safe, and parking rules are in place to maintain the flow of traffic and prevent dangerous road conditions, particularly for our most vulnerable residents such as children or residents with a disability.”
“The level of penalty charges are not set by the council, they are set by statute and have not changed since 2011.”
