Somerset’s most ticket-prone streets have been revealed, highlighting where motorists are most likely to receive parking fines. Known officially as Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs), these fines target various parking violations, from overstaying time limits to parking on double yellow lines.
A recent Freedom of Information request uncovered that income from PCNs in Somerset has more than doubled, rising from nearly £780,000 in 2020/21 to over £1.5 million in 2025/26. Somerset Council has confirmed that the revenue is reinvested in maintaining and improving parking services, with no expected significant increases in fine income moving forward.
In Somerset, typical PCNs cost £50 for minor offenses such as overstaying or not displaying a ticket properly, and £70 for more serious infractions like driving through bus gates or illegal parking on yellow lines. Drivers who pay within 14 days can benefit from a 50% reduction, reducing fines to £25 or £35 respectively.
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The council also disclosed the top ten car parks with the most parking fines, predominantly in Taunton, with additional locations in Frome, Street, and Wellington.
Here are the ten streets in Somerset with the highest number of parking fines issued in 2025/26:
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A3027 East Street, Taunton – 1,068 fines: This bustling shopping street features popular spots like Primark and McDonald’s. Most fines were due to unclear ticket display or parking in restricted zones.
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Albemarle Road, Taunton – 808 fines: A primarily residential street near the Albemarle Centre and Belvedere trading estate. Many violations involved parking in resident-only spaces or on yellow lines.
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A3027 Fore Street, Taunton – 657 fines: Fore Street is a central hub with banks and shops, seeing fines for restricted parking, taxi rank misuse, and loading bay infringements.
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A38 East Reach, Taunton – 623 fines: A vital link to the M5 motorway, this busy route generated fines mostly for parking on single or double yellow lines.
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A3027 North Street, Taunton – 566 fines: Featuring a variety of shops and the independent quarter, this street saw fines for restricted parking and loading bay offenses.
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St Mary Street, Bridgwater – 559 fines: Passing the historic St Mary’s Church, this street is part of the Bridgwater Carnival route with most fines given for parking in taxi ranks or loading bays.
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Hammet Street, Taunton – 493 fines: Connecting the shopping area to Taunton Minster, many fines involved misuse of disabled bays, taxi spaces, and loading zones.
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Magdalene Street, Taunton – 452 fines: This key connector to Victoria Park frequently saw fines for overstaying and parking in restricted areas.
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The Avenue, Minehead – 449 fines: The main shopping street of Minehead, with fines spanning taxi rank violations, parking in suspended areas, and overstays.
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South Street, Taunton – 431 fines: Linking Holway to Taunton town center, most offenses involved parking in restricted zones, with few breaking the one-way system.
Somerset Council emphasizes that all revenue from parking fines is dedicated solely to parking-related services. This income cannot be diverted to other local authority services such as social care.
A council spokesperson explained: “All surplus from parking penalties supports parking services and obligations. Funds after covering these costs are reinvested in public transport, road improvements, parking infrastructure, and environmental upgrades in line with legal requirements.”
The council anticipates no substantial rise in PCN issuance, and no increase has been factored into its medium-term financial plans.