Traffic warden numbers rise almost 6%

Motoring and Travel

Updated on 03 September 2012 | 16 Comments

Councils are clamping down on illegal parking by putting more traffic wardens on our streets.

Since 2008, there has been a rise of nearly 6% in traffic wardens employed by councils, according to figures obtained by LV.

What's more, in the last 12 months it was found that 17% of local authorities have reduced the amount of free parking, replacing it with revenue-generating paid parking zones.

Big jump

Data sourced from a freedom of information request from more than 220 councilsshowed a jump in the number of parking inspectors employed by councils from 3,630 in 2008 to 3,841 in 2012- a 5.8% rise overall.

The figures suggest that one in ten councils have increased the number of parking attendants on duty by 20% or more.

In an average council area there are now 16 parking civil enforcement officers employed to clamp down on parking violations. In London boroughs this figure rises to 51.

Of the councils that provided information, Westminster had the highest number of traffic wardens on patrol (242), followed by Islington (135), Edinburgh (121) and Lambeth (99).

Big fines

As a result motorists trying their luck have been hit with big fines.

Over the last 12 months 10% of drivers have been caught out, with penalties for illegally parked vehicles totalling £340 million, or £96 per driver.

If you think you have been fined unfairly read this article: How to beat parking fines. 

In an LV survey of 1,583 drivers, 57% believed parking had become harder in their nearest town since 2008 and 18% of drivers admitted to parking illegally over the last year.

Save on parking and fines

As the number of cars on the roads grows and councils look to make more money, motorists will find it harder to park.

But you do have alternatives. You could try using Park and Ride schemes or find spots further away from busy areas to save on the cost of parking and reducing your risk of getting a fine.

More stories on parking:

Hospital car park charges up by as much as 200%!

Huge increases in railway station car park charges

London parking space costs more than a house in the North

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