Drivers across the Bristol region forked out almost ^20 million in parking charges last year.
According to the Department for Communities and Local Government, Bristol City Council collected ^8.5m from motorists. The income came from parking services, including car parks, parking meters, residents' permits, season tickets and fines, although it was down on the previous year when ^9.3m was raked in. After costs, including equipment, traffic wardens' wages and operating and maintaining car parks, the council made ^2m last year.
Bath and North East Somerset took ^8.8m, North Somerset ^1.5m and South Gloucestershire ^97,000 before costs. The Department for Transport has warned councils not to use parking enforcement as a tool for raising revenue.
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