DRIVERS paid out more than £866k in parking fines to Wiltshire Council last year, with 30,000 issued in 12 months by parking attendants.

That is the equivalent to over £2,300 a day across the county’s local authority run car parks and highways.

One Trowbridge man revealed that he owes Wiltshire Council £700 in parking fines from the multi storey St Stephen’s Space Park after being locked in a row since 2018 over a ticket he disputes.

He said: “I think it is awful how they hand out expensive tickets and yet they refuse to put any money back into the car park. There are not enough 23 hour spaces for everyone that is relying on this car park to go to work. People are getting £50 tickets and that is a wholes day wage gone just because they could not get a space.”

However research carried out by Confused.com found that 74 per cent of people who appeal parking fines are successful.

Oliver Kirby lives in Trowbridge and allowed many tickets to be overturned while working at an appealing centre. and has worked at an appealing centre. He said: “A great proportion of appeals are successful- if appeals fail they are sent on to someone else where they’re re-evaluated. A lot of consideration is put through.”

Alison Bolton also lives in the town and revealed she was once let off a £50 after writing a heartfelt appeal. She wrote to officers: “I’m on my knees grovelling, I’m repenting in dust and ashes here and walking around wearing sackcloth’s. I’m just trying to ask if you could find it in your golden hearts to forgive a poor old soul?”

Penalty Notice Charges (PCNs) are made when people park without a valid ticket, obstruct school entrances or use residents’ parking without a permit.

Cash from fines is used by Wiltshire Council to fund public transport and concessionary fares.

The figure is up £100k on 2017, when 24,000 tickets were issued totalling more than £705k.

Bridget Wayman, cabinet member for highways said: “We continue to offer free Sunday parking, free park and rides and other free parking initiatives to the local community as part of our overall strategy. While everyone would prefer enforcing parking restriction was not required, if our high streets are to remain accessible, roads unobstructed and parking is available for residents, the enforcement of parking areas plays a vital role.”

Across the South West, Bristol City Council issued the most fines with 100,518 PCNs making the council £4.8m.

Find out more plus how to appeal a fine by visiting:

www.confused.com/car-insurance/fight-unfair-fines