MOTORISTS in Glasgow paid out more than £4.3 million in parking fines in just one year - almost 10 per cent more than in the previous 12 months.
New figures show Glasgow City Council collected £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 £6m a year on controlling parking across the city.
The road where the highest number of notices were handed out was Sauchiehall Street - one of the busiest areas in Glasgow. A total of 2,879 drivers who parked illegally there were caught by traffic wardens in 2013/14.
The figures, obtained through a freedom of information request, have re-ignited complaints about 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."
Ms White has been fighting for proposed new laws aimed at ending irresponsible parking. Her Bill, which she hopes to submit at the end of March, 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 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."
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