Somerset’s most ticket-prone streets have been revealed, highlighting where drivers are most likely to face parking fines. The local council generates revenue through penalty charge notices (PCNs) issued for offenses such as overstaying in pay-and-display zones or parking on yellow lines.
A recent Freedom of Information request uncovered that income from these fines has surged from nearly £780,000 in 2020/21 to over £1.5 million projected in 2025/26. The council clarified that this revenue is reinvested into maintaining parking services, with no significant increases expected in the coming years.
Typical PCNs in Somerset are £50 for minor infractions, like not displaying a valid ticket or overstaying, and £70 for more serious breaches, such as going through bus gates or parking on single or double yellow lines. Paying within 14 days halves the fine to £25 or £35 respectively.
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A breakdown of the top ten Somerset streets generating the most parking fines in 2025/26 shows a strong concentration in Taunton, along with some locations in Bridgwater and Minehead:
- A3027 East Street, Taunton – 1,068 fines: A bustling shopping area featuring Primark and McDonald’s, where many tickets were issued for unclear ticket display or restricted parking.
- Albemarle Road, Taunton – 808 fines: Primarily residential, with many offenses involving parking on yellow lines or in residents’ spaces near the Albemarle Centre.
- A3027 Fore Street, Taunton – 657 fines: Key town centre street with parking violations including restricted spaces, loading areas, and taxi ranks.
- A38 East Reach, Taunton – 623 fines: Busy thoroughfare linking the town centre to the M5, with many tickets for parking on yellow lines.
- A3027 North Street, Taunton – 566 fines: A diverse shopping area where fines often relate to restricted zones and loading bays.
- St Mary Street, Bridgwater – 559 fines: Part of Bridgwater Carnival’s route, with most tickets for parking in taxi ranks or loading bays.
- Hammet Street, Taunton – 493 fines: Narrow street with fines mostly for improper use of taxi spaces, disabled bays, and loading zones.
- Magdalene Street, Taunton – 452 fines: Connecting the town centre to residential areas, with frequent violations in restricted zones or overstaying.
- The Avenue, Minehead – 449 fines: Main shopping street with fines ranging from taxi rank misuse to overstaying and suspended area parking.
- South Street, Taunton – 431 fines: Linking Holway to the town centre, mainly fined for parking in restricted areas.
Somerset Council emphasized that all funds raised through parking fines are strictly dedicated to parking-related services, public transport, road and highway improvements, or local environmental projects. These regulations ensure the funds are not diverted to unrelated areas like social care.
A council spokesperson stated: “Any surplus from parking penalties covers the costs of running parking services and statutory obligations. Remaining funds support public transport, road improvements, and environmental efforts as defined by law. No rise in penalty charge volume is anticipated.”