Somerset Council has seen its income from parking fines more than double over the past five years. Known as penalty charge notices (PCNs), these fines are issued to drivers for a variety of parking violations, such as overstaying in pay-and-display car parks or parking on double yellow lines.
According to a Freedom of Information request, PCN revenue increased from nearly £780,000 in the 2020/21 financial year to over £1.5 million in 2025/26. The council states that this income is used solely to maintain and improve parking services, with no expectation of significant increases in future revenue.
Typical PCN fines in Somerset stand at £50 for minor violations, such as not paying for parking, and £70 for more serious offences like parking on restricted lines or using bus gates unlawfully. Penalties are halved if paid within 14 days, reducing fines to £25 or £35 respectively.
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In 2020/21, during the coronavirus pandemic, Somerset Council issued 28,913 PCNs totaling £777,564.43. This number rose steadily in subsequent years: 39,268 fines in 2021/22 generating £982,117.25; and 51,236 in 2022/23, bringing in £1,356,069.57. Although fines dipped slightly to 47,081 in 2023/24 (raising £1,242,826.48), they surged to 65,487 in 2024/25, generating £1,654,562.38. The last financial year saw a minor drop to 64,868 fines, yet income remained high at £1,545,368.30.
The Crescent car park in Taunton, located opposite the council’s headquarters, recorded the highest number of fines in 2025/26, with 1,368 violations. Offenders were mostly cited for failing to display parking tickets clearly or remaining beyond paid time. Additionally, 100 fines were issued for parking petrol or diesel cars in newly installed electric vehicle charging bays—a £1 million refurbishment completed in early 2023.
Somerset Council emphasizes that funds raised from parking fines are strictly reinvested into parking-related services, road improvements, public transport, and environmental initiatives in accordance with the Traffic Management Act 2004 and Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984. The proceeds are not permitted to fund other council services such as adult or children’s social care.
While the council could not confirm whether enforcement costs have risen relative to inflation since 2021, it assures that no increase in PCN revenue has been planned in its medium-term financial outlook. Council representatives do not anticipate growth in penalty notices issued going forward.