PARKING fines brought in more than £850,000 to East Lothian Council during the last financial year.

The number of parking fines in the county jumped by more than a third over the course of the period between April 2023 and March this year compared to the previous 12 months.

East Lothian Council issued 3,351 more parking fines during 2023-24 compared to the previous year.

The findings, which have come through a freedom of information (FOI) request, show that between April 2022 and March the following year, 8,791 penalty charge notices were issued by the local authority.

In comparison, between April 2023 and March this year, the number rose by 38.1 per cent to 12,142.

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On average, 33 fines were issued per day over the last financial year, compared to 24 per day during the previous 12 months.

And the surge in fines has resulted in a significant increase in revenue for the local authority, according to data analysed by cinch, the UK's biggest online retailer of used cars.

From April 2022 to the end of March 2023, parking fines generated £263,730 for East Lothian Council.

That figure soared to £856,970 the following year.

Sam Sheehan, motoring editor at cinch, said: "These figures should be a reminder for all drivers to carefully check any nearby signs before parking – especially in busy areas or places they aren’t familiar with.

“Nobody wants to find a parking fine come through their letterbox. 

"Also, if you think the fine is unfair or it’s incorrect, don’t forget you have 28 days to appeal to an independent tribunal.

“And, if it is correct, you might be able to reduce the fine by paying sooner rather than later.”

Musselburgh High Street was the location with the most fines issued in both years, according to the findings.

In 2022-23, the figure was 1,025 but it jumped to 1,926 in the last financial year.

East Lothian Council has been approached for a comment.