Dundee City Council has raked in almost three quarter of a million pounds in parking fines and charges in just a year, new figures have revealed.
The authority doubled its profits to £740,000 in the financial year 2013/14, compared to £370,000 in the previous year.
Data analysed by the RAC Foundation shows that between them the 32Scottish councils had a combined income from their parking activities charges and penalty income from on and off-street parking of a staggering £73 million.
North East Conservative MSP Alex Johnstone said excessive charges could hit local businesses and urged council’s to review their policies.
He said: “Car parking charges can help local businesses by ensuring that people do not take up spaces all day, which allows other drivers to get parked and do their shopping.
“But when these charges become punitive and motorists are simply used to prop up council budgets, then it sends out entirely the wrong message.
“In my view, excessive parking charges are bad for business and unfair on motorists and I would urge councils to review their policies.”
The combined cost for all councils of running their parking activities was almost £40m.
Once costs are subtracted the surplus added up to a £33m profit across the whole of Scotland.
The vast differences can be attributed to the way different authorities have responded to the decriminalisation of parking after Police Scotland handed the responsibility of enforcement back.
Perth and Kinross Council made £710,000 and Fife Council £340,000, however Angus Council, which doesn’t charge for parking, is the only Courier Country authority which slipped into the red with a deficit of £160,000.
Despite the large profits made by the council, Dundee’s transport spokesman said motorists weren’t getting a bad deal in the city.
“We are not fleecing motorists,” said city development convener WillDawson. “Dundee isn’t one of the most expensive places to park by any means.”
He also said the money was kept in the council’s parking budget and reinvested into upgrading facilities.
Councils are obligated to publish finances and the data was analysed by David Leibling for the RAC Foundation.
The highest profits were recorded by Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen.