MOTORISTS in Glasgow paid out more than £4.3million in parking fines in just one year.

New figures show Glasgow City Council raked in £4,329,842 from penalty charge notices (PCNs) issued to city drivers between April 2013 and March last year - an increase of nearly 10 per cent from the previous year.

But the council says the income from PCNs does not cover the costs to administer parking regulations and it spends up to £6million a year on controlling parking across the city.

Between April 2012 and 2013 the income from PCNs was £3.9million. The road where the highest number of notices were handed out was Sauchiehall Street - one of the busiest areas in Glasgow.

A total of 2879 drivers who parked illegally there were caught by traffic wardens in 2013/14.

The year before, 2773 motorists were issued with PCNs on Sauchiehall Street.

The figures, obtained through a freedom of information request, have re-ignited the debate on parking in busy roads across the city.

Glasgow Kelvin SNP MSP Sandra White said there was an issue with people attending events at the Hydro and choosing to park in the West End area, including at Sauchiehall Street and in Finnieston.

She said: "I've had so many complaints from constituents who live in the Finnieston and Sauchiehall Street areas saying they can't park their own cars when there's a concert on at the Hydro.

"No-one wants to park in the Hydro car park because they can't get out due to the traffic.

"So they park in streets they can walk to and it leaves the residents unable to park themselves. It's a real overspill.

"I'm wondering if some of these tickets have been given out to people parking illegally then because there really is a problem around these areas when an event is on."

Ms White is preparing to put forward a proposal for a responsible parking Bill to the Government.

She hopes to submit the Bill at the end of March.

The MSP has been fighting for proposed new laws aimed at ending irresponsible parking.

The Bill would enforce restrictions on pavement parking, dropped kerb parking and double parking.

It has previously received the backing of traffic wardens, the fire service and various charities such as Guide Dogs Scotland.

A consultation on the issue received more than 400 responses - and 95per cent were in favour of the Bill's proposals for a blanket ban on parking at dropped kerbs, on pavements and double parking.

Ms White said the state of the roads and pavements in the centre and west of Glasgow were also a major problem.

She said: "I'd really like the council to give back more to the people who live in these areas.

"The pavements in Byres Road are in disrepair and people are really struggling."

A Glasgow City Council spokesman said: "Penalty charge notices are issued to drivers who chose to ignore parking restrictions.

"The income from PCNs does not cover the costs to administer parking regulations, however it is a necessary service and helps to keep the city moving.

"If motorists do not park illegally, then no penalty will be sought.

"The council spends up to £6 million a year making sure parking is controlled and congestion on the city's main routes managed."

Readers have their say:

The Evening Times took to the streets to find out what motorists had to say about parking fines and issues in Glasgow.
Here is what they had to say:
Richard Turner, 48, from Govan, said: “It’s not the best, especially when you’re trying to work in the city. You get five to 10 minutes on a yellow line and then the traffic wardens are on you straight away, it makes things really difficult at times.
“Driving a work van as well, it is really difficult at times to get into some of these spaces and even if you wanted to pay, you can’t always get parked. I think there should be more allocated parking for people who have to do a job in the city.
Darren Robertson, 36, from Maryhill, said: “The traffic wardens who are out on the street till late at night can be a massive put off to people who come in and out of the city. I feel there are not enough parking spaces.”
Ian Burns, 40, from Dennistoun, said: “It’s a joke. You can be parked on the side of the road for a couple of seconds, the warden would tell you to move on, but now they are giving you a ticket just like that.
“There is no leeway when it comes to parking in the city. The minute you stop wardens don’t come over to see if you broke down or you’re just picking something up, they just give you a ticket. There needs to be more understanding when it comes to parking.”
Andrew Carson, 60, from Anderston, said: “Parking in the city is difficult and you need to be careful and look at signs or you will walk into a fine, but I don’t think I would change it because if you make it free then it’s less revenue for the council. If it makes them money, they wouldn’t stop doing it.”
Laura Blake, 21, from Anderston: “I don’t think that there are enough car parking spaces and because parking on the street or in multi-storeys is so expensive, people are taking a risk of parking illegally.
“I want to see where the money is going.”