Scotland’s councils made a £40.3m profit from parking charges and penalty income in 2015-16.

The 32 councils investigated had a combined income of £79.3m from parking activities.

The research by the RAC Foundation finds between them, the 32 councils had a combined income of £79.3m from parking activities.

The surplus after the cost running the parking activities was up 12% on the £36.1m in the 2014-15 financial year.

The councils with the highest surplus were:
Edinburgh – £19.4m (up from £17.4m in 2014-15)
Glasgow – £12.6m (£11.4m in 2014-15).
Aberdeen – £4.9m (£4.5m in 2014-15).

The research also found that 13 councils showed a deficit.

Steve Gooding, director of the RAC Foundation, said: “The good news is that this money must be re-invested in transport services including, Scottish drivers will expect, maintaining the road network.

“Amongst the numbers in our report, Scottish motorists will note that a fifth of parking income comes from the near half a million penalty charge notices issued.”