Money earned from parking fines by Bracknell Forest Council has doubled in the past three years, new data reveals.

The number of Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) issued by the council last year was the highest in 18 years – rising by 58 per cent in the past three years alone.

Bracknell Forest Council (BFC) said the rise is due to a ‘combination of factors’ including ‘new traffic restrictions’ and an ‘increase in illegal and opportunistic parking’.

Freedom of information data shows the number of fines issued in 2023 to 2024 stands at 5,837. This is up by around 2,000 from three years ago.

The total income received from parking fines by the council has doubled since 2021 – from £79,823 to £159,374.

The amount owed ranges depending on where illegal parking has taken place.

But there has only been a minimal increase in total expenditure on parking fine enforcement from the council, as well as a 30 per cent increase in expenditure across the whole parking services.

Damien James, assistant director for contract services at the authority, said: “The income from PCNs is used to cover the costs of our parking management service, including enforcement contracts, ensuring the service remains effective.

“We take road safety seriously, and our contractors regularly patrol to enforce traffic restrictions. Those who park illegally will receive a PCN as part of our commitment to maintaining safe roads.”

Information was not provided on the enforcement measures or technologies introduced for parking violations.

The council said that Bracknell Forest do not use cameras in the borough, meaning the locations of where parking violations frequently take place could not be revealed.

The data also does not take into account parking fines in privately-owned car parks.

This comes after charges in council owned carparks in the town centre increase in October 2023.

Carparks including The Avenue, High Street, Braccan Walk and Weather Way had prices increase by 20 or 30p an hour.

Council officers recommended the rise, which they said could raise more than £300,000 a year.

An FOI request from the Local Democracy Reporting Service revealed that the council earned more than a million pounds from parking charges before the increase was implemented.

BFC says restrictions, such as yellow lines, are used to help address traffic congestion or road safety problems.

The authority aims to reduce unlawful and dangerous parking, cut congestion, and help the emergency services to get to people in need through enforcement measures.