WALTHAM FOREST: Parking fines net council millions

8:46am Saturday 16th February 2008

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PARKING tickets have netted the council more than £4 million over the past four years.

The amount paid by drivers in Waltham Forest has lept from £163,000 in 2003/4 to £1,657,316 three years later.

The amount peaked at £1,968,730 in 2005/6.

Sharp intakes of breath greeted the figures when they were revealed by Somers Road, Walthamstow, resident, Kevin Lord, at the Walthamstow West Community Council, during a debate about road safety.

Another resident Ian Capes was concerned about old and broken signs in Walthamstow High Street causing accidents because drivers were not aware of the road rules.

At the meeting in Chapel End Junior School, Roberts Road, Walthamstow, Council officer, Alan Campbell said a study into the signs had been done a few years ago and recommendations made but nothing was done.

"The council said it was a bitty scheme and needed to be linked in with other regeneration in Walthamstow. It needed to be looked at holistically with the plans for the town centre."

He said he would push for the signs to be improved but that it would put a hole in someone's budget.

Mr Lord suggested the money could easily come from the borough's parking control account, which is earmarked to be spent on the roads.

He said: "If it's made £3.5m plus in the last three years the money is there."