• In 2021 over 5.2 million penalty charge notices (PCNs) were issued across Britain
• £254.9 million worth of fines were issued to motorists, the equivalent of £55,500 every day
• 63 per cent of councils brought in new parking rules in 2021
• Manchester issued the greatest number of PCNs in 2021, handing out 341,000 tickets
• But Westminster took top spot in value of PCNs, with motorists paying £32.3 million last year alone

Motorists were given 10 parking fines every minute in 2021, reveals new research¹ from Churchill Motor Insurance. Last year, over 5.2 million penalty charge notices (PCNs) were issued for parking infringements across Britain. This was a rise of 400,000 (eight per cent) compared to 2020, when 4.8 million were issued and equates to 1,300 more parking fines per day throughout the year.

The overall value of fines also rose throughout 2021, with a total of £254.9 million issued to motorists, a six per cent increase on 2020 when £234.6 million worth of fines were issued. This increase is the equivalent of £55,500 per day. Two thirds (66 per cent) of councils saw a rise in the number of fines handed out in 2021 and a subsequent increase in revenue.

The rise in PCNs issued across Britain comes as local councils expand the number of roads that have parking restrictions in place. Overall, 63 per cent of councils increased the number of roads with parking restrictions, meaning 80,200 roads across Britain now have some level of restriction in place, 1,200 more than in 2020.  Nearly a third (29 per cent) of councils also implemented new resident parking permit controls in 2021.

Nicholas Mantel, Head of Churchill Motor Insurance, said: “Parking is one of the most stressful aspects of driving, especially for families, who are often stretched for time and who don’t want their car too far from their ultimate destination.  It is becoming increasingly difficult for motorists in towns and cities across Britain to find spots to park, especially for free, as local authorities seek to reduce congestion and put ever more controls in place.

“Nearly two thirds of councils have brought in new rules recently, meaning there are many roads with restrictions in place that didn’t have them in 2020. The last thing drivers need is to come back to a fine, so it’s vital to double check the parking signs before leaving your car.”

Regional breakdown

Nearly two million PCNs were issued in London last year, meaning the Capital accounted for over a third (37 per cent) of all PCNs in 2021. This was followed by the South East (18 per cent), the North West (13 per cent) and the East Midlands (seven per cent).

On a local authority level, Manchester handed out the greatest number of PCNs for parking in 2021. Manchester issued over 341,000 PCNs, a rise of 74,000 (27 per cent) compared to 2020, followed by Westminster (274,000) and Kensington and Chelsea (153,000). The other non-London local authorities in the top 10 were Nottingham which issued 145,000, Brighton and Hove (136,000) and Winchester (130,000).

Table one: Top 10 local authorities by volume of PCNs in 2021

Source: Churchill Motor Insurance, 2022

Westminster took the top spot in value of fines, issuing PCNs worth £32.3 million, £6.2 million (23 per cent) more than in 2020. Kensington and Chelsea (£16.6 million), Manchester (£15.3 million), Islington (£13.7 million) and Richmond upon Thames (£9.4 million) complete the top five.

The majority of fines issued by value were in London, accounting for £143 million – over half (56 per cent) of the total value of fines. Londoners were also issued with higher-than-average PCNs, with the City of London issuing fines of up to £130 for parking violations and nine of the 10 councils issuing the highest value PCNs based in the capital. The average value of PCNs handed out in London in 2021 was £74.37, which is 53 per cent higher than the British average of £43.63.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

¹          Freedom of Information Act request issued to Local and County Councils across the UK in March 2022. Overall, 71.8% of councils responded to the request, with 50.0% providing usable data.

For further information please contact:

Chelsey Wheeler  
Head of News and Issues 

Tel: 01651 832 095

Email: [email protected]

Churchill

Founded in 1989, Churchill is now one of the UK's leading providers of general insurance, offering car, home, travel and pet insurance cover over the phone or on-line.

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