Merton Borough Council is one of the UK's biggest earners from parking charges, generating a significant surplus of £11.6 million in parking income above its expenditure, according to DLUHC Revenue Outturn 2024-25 data. This substantial financial gain places Merton at rank 25 out of 282 councils nationwide, highlighting the borough's effectiveness in managing and enforcing parking regulations.
on 09 April 2026
How Much Does Merton Make from Parking?
Merton Borough Council generates a total parking income of £21.4 million annually, with an expenditure of £9.8 million, resulting in a surplus of £11.6 million. The breakdown of this income reveals that the majority comes from on-street parking at £18.9 million, while off-street parking contributes only £2.6 million.
Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) play a significant role in Merton's financial strategy for parking management. PCN income alone amounts to £10.3 million, which represents approximately 48% of the total parking income generated by the borough. This indicates that fines collected from parking violations are a substantial component of Merton's revenue stream.
According to the DLUHC Revenue Outturn 2024-25, merton generated a parking surplus of £11.6 million in 2024-25
How Does Merton Compare to Other Councils?
Merton Borough Council ranks 25th out of 282 councils in terms of parking surplus, showcasing its ability to generate significant funds through parking charges and PCNs. This national ranking is particularly noteworthy given the wide variation among councils' earnings from parking fines; some top-earning councils can generate over ten times more than the average council.
What Are Your Rights When You Get a Parking Fine in Merton?
When you receive a parking fine, or Penalty Charge Notice (PCN), it's important to understand whether it was issued by the Council itself or a private parking operator. Council PCNs are governed by specific rules that differ from those of private operators.
For council-issued PCNs, drivers have several rights:
- A 50% discount if you challenge the PCN within 14 days.
- The option to formally challenge the notice and, if unsuccessful, appeal it to the Traffic Penalty Tribunal (TPT).
According to the Traffic Penalty Tribunal, you can appeal a council parking fine for free through the traffic penalty tribunal
Private parking charge notices are handled differently:
- They can be appealed through POPLA or IAS depending on which trade body represents the operator.
Drivers should also familiarize themselves with the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012, which regulates who may be liable for a PCN. This act protects drivers from being unfairly held responsible for parking fines if they did not commit the violation.
How to Appeal a Parking Fine in Merton
The process of appealing a parking fine in Merton involves several steps:
- Informal Challenge: Within 28 days of receiving the notice, you can make an informal challenge either online or by post. For council PCNs, it's important to act within 14 days to retain your right to a 50% discount.
- Formal Representation: After receiving a Notice to Owner (NTO), formally represent your case and provide evidence if necessary.
- Independent Appeal: If your formal challenge fails, you can escalate the matter to an independent body: Traffic Penalty Tribunal for council PCNs or POPLA/IAS for private parking charges.
you have the option to complain directly to Merton Borough Council without incurring any costs. there's no need to hire a claims management company as the appeal process is entirely free.
By understanding your rights and following these steps, drivers can effectively contest unjust parking fines issued by Merton Borough Council or private operators within its jurisdiction.
Sources
- DLUHC Revenue Outturn 2024-25
- Traffic Penalty Tribunal
- Protection of Freedoms Act 2012
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