London councils have been accused of “daylight robbery” over the hundreds of millions of pounds collected in parking charges and fines. 

A report by the RAC Foundation found London boroughs made a total profit of £293million, which is 40 per cent of the total for the whole of England. 

Transport consultant David Leibling analysed data from annual returns submitted to the office of Secretary of State for Communities, Eric Pickles, last month. 

Waltham Forest council received revenue of £10.6million in the 2013/14 financial year, an eight per cent rise on the previous 12 months.

This is a profit of £3.2million when expenditure is deducted.

On-street parking penalties made up 70 per cent of the revenue in Waltham Forest.

Redbridge council collected £8.3million, a rise of £200,000 on the previous year.

Once running-costs were deducted the council made £3.8million, with 74 per cent of revenue made from on-street parking penalties.

Commenting on the report, Mr Pickles said:"These official figures show how town halls are committing daylight robbery by ripping off drivers with exorbitant parking charges and unfair parking fines.

"The recent growth in fines is coming from the industrial use of CCTV spy cars allowed under laws introduced by the last government. 

"This is why we have introduced a law before Parliament to stop these snoopers, as part of a package of measures to rein in the town hall parking bullies and to protect local shops."

Westminster council made the most from parking, raising £51million.  

The average income per PCN in London has risen from £65 in 2012/13 to £67 in 2013/14 but is just £24 on average outside of London.