This is how much money Chesterfield Borough Council made from parking charges in 2018-19

A Freedom of Information request by the Derbyshire Times revealed the authority generated £2,290,855.30 from people paying to use its car parks across the borough between April 1, 2018, and March 31, 2019.

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Councillor Kate Sarvent, the council’s cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy, said: “Funding generated from car parking changes in the town centre helps the council to cover the cost of a number of other services.

“The funding is used to cover the cost of vital services across the borough such as lighting, woodland amenities, children’s play areas, parks and open spaces and other town centre facilities.”

The Taxpayers’ Alliance suggested councils should avoid penalising drivers.

Harry Fone, grassroots campaign manager at the pressure group, said: “Councils should be wary of targeting motorists given they are already among the most overtaxed people in the country.”

Earlier this month, the Derbyshire Times reported that the price of parking in the council’s car parks will controversially rise in April for the first time in two years.

Residents took to social media to tell of their anger at the hikes – but Coun Sarvent insisted: “Chesterfield residents continue to receive a pass to allow them to park for free in a number of town centre car parks before 10am and after 3pm on Monday to Saturday as well as all day on Sundays and bank holidays.”

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