Ealing Council has been named the third highest-earning authority in the country — and the second in London — when it comes to revenue from parking fines.
In 2024, the council issued a whopping 142,903 Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs), raking in £5.7 million from drivers. That’s a steep jump from 2023, when 89,618 PCNs were issued, generating £4.4 million. In 2022, 34,661 penalty charge notices were issued which brought in £1.7 million for the council.
Speaking to EALING.NEWS previously, an Ealing Council spokesperson said: “The increase in penalty charge notices being issued is a combination of several factors which include increased enforcement due to lack of compliance across the borough, more control parking zones (CPZs) being introduced, and better use of technology to monitor restrictions.”
Leading the capital’s charge was Waltham Forest, which issued 158,440 fines and pocketed £6.3 million.
But topping the national list was Manchester City Council, pulling in a staggering £14.6 million after issuing 365,031 PCNs in 2024.
Earlier this month (7 April 2025), the cost of being issued with a PCN rose by up to 37.5% in Ealing and across London.
For the first time in 14 years, following a decision by the London Councils Transport and Environment Committee, and approved by the Mayor of London, boroughs across London agreed to raise parking and traffic penalty charges.
Parking penalties at the higher level (£130 until 6 April 2025) increased by £30 to £160 a 23% rise. This is reduced to £80 if paid within 14 days of the PCN being issued. Parking penalties at the lower level (£80 until 6 April 2025) also increased by £30 to £110 a 37.5% rise. This is reduced to £55 if paid within 14 days of the PCN being issued.
Dorry Potter from National Scrap Car, said: “For many councils, the money gained from parking fines is essential to funding local services like transport infrastructure, road maintenance and public services.
“So, unlike fines for parking on privately owned land, motorists can take some solace in the fines they pay to their councils being reinvested back into their community.
Speaking to EALING.NEWS previously, an Ealing Council spokesperson said: “We are committed to fairly and proportionately enforcing parking and traffic regulations. PCNs are in place to encourage drivers to comply with regulations, ensuring roads remain safe accessible, and well-regulated for all users.
“From April, PCN charges across London will increase following a formal review by London Councils and Transport for London, with final approval from the Mayor of London.
“Income generated from PCNs is not used for general council expenditure, but is legally protected for transport-related improvements, such as road safety projects, public transport and cycling infrastructure, improving and maintaining parking facilities, traffic management measures, and concessionary travel benefits.”
