Brighton & Hove UA collected £33.2 million in parking surplus during 2024-25, including £14.3 million from penalty charge notices (PCNs). Data source: DLUHC Revenue Outturn 2024-25.
on 09 April 2026
Brighton & Hove Unitary Authority (UA) generates a significant surplus from parking, earning £33.2 million in the financial year 2024-25 according to DLUHC Revenue Outturn data. This places Brighton & Hove UA at number 6 out of 282 councils nationally by parking surplus.
How Much Does Brighton & Hove UA Make from Parking?
Brighton & Hove UA is one of the UK's biggest earners from parking charges, with a total income of £51.0 million in 2024-25. This substantial revenue comes primarily from on-street parking (£42.1 million) and off-street parking (£8.8 million). The authority's penalty charge notice (PCN) income alone amounts to £14.3 million, representing nearly one-third of the total parking income.
The breakdown shows that almost 95% of the parking revenue comes from on-street spaces managed by the council. Off-street car parks contribute a smaller but still significant amount, with just over 17% of total parking income coming from this source. PCN income, meanwhile, makes up approximately 28% of the overall parking income for Brighton & Hove UA.
How Does Brighton & Hove UA Compare to Other Councils?
Brighton & Hove Unitary Authority ranks sixth out of 282 councils in terms of parking surplus. This high ranking is a testament to the effectiveness and scale of their parking management systems, as top-performing councils can generate ten times or more revenue compared to the average local authority.
The national picture reveals that while Brighton & Hove UA is one of the highest earners from parking fines and charges, there are still significant differences across the country. With a total national parking surplus of £1,144.5 million, it's clear that parking revenues play an important role in many councils' financial strategies.
According to the DLUHC Revenue Outturn 2024-25, brighton & hove ua generated a parking surplus of £33.2 million in 2024-25
What Are Your Rights When You Get a Parking Fine in Brighton & Hove UA?
When you receive a penalty charge notice (PCN) from Brighton & Hove UA or private operators within the area, understanding your rights is important. Council PCNs and those issued by private parking companies have different procedures for handling disputes.
For council-issued PCNs, motorists can take advantage of a 14-day period where they can pay half the amount to contest it formally later on. If you choose not to use this discount option, you still have the right to challenge the notice through formal representation and ultimately appeal at the Traffic Penalty Tribunal if necessary.
Private parking companies also allow for challenges but follow different procedures depending on their trade body affiliation-POPLA or IAS. under the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012, the liability rules ensure that only the registered keeper (the owner) is responsible for paying a PCN unless they can prove otherwise.
According to the Traffic Penalty Tribunal, you can appeal a council parking fine for free through the traffic penalty tribunal
How to Appeal a Parking Fine in Brighton & Hove UA
Appealing a parking fine issued by Brighton & Hove UA or private operators involves several steps. For council-issued fines, you must make an informal challenge within 28 days (or take advantage of the 14-day discount period if applicable). After receiving a Notice to Owner, you can then submit formal representation.
For independent appeals, council PCNs go through Traffic Penalty Tribunal processes while private parking charges are handled by POPLA or IAS depending on the operator's trade body. appealing these fines doesn't require hiring claims management companies; the process is free for motorists to follow directly with the relevant authorities.
Motorists should also be aware of their right to complain about the handling of parking enforcement to Brighton & Hove UA itself without incurring additional costs or fees. This direct communication channel can often resolve issues before they escalate further, ensuring that drivers receive fair treatment throughout the process.
According to the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012, private parking charges are contractual invoices, not criminal fines, under schedule 4 of the act
In summary, while Brighton & Hove Unitary Authority earns a significant amount from parking fines and charges, motorists have strong mechanisms to challenge these penalties effectively and freely.
Sources
- DLUHC Revenue Outturn 2024-25
- Traffic Penalty Tribunal
- Protection of Freedoms Act 2012
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