Northern Ireland council areas with the largest number of parking fines
Drivers across Northern Ireland were slapped with over 26,000 parking fines in one year, according to new data.
Figures obtained by cinch, the UK’s biggest online retailer of used cars, through a Freedom of Information (FOI) request, reveal that the areas with the most and least fines issued between January 2022 and March 2024.
The data showed that, out of the council areas reviewed, Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council was the most fined area for drivers in 2022, with 6,054 Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) issued in the 12-month period with a total cost in excess of £327,489.66.
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That's an average of 17 fines issued per day with East Strand car park in Portrush the location with the highest number of fines with 1,247 reported.
Between January and December 2023, 5,934 penalty charge notices were issued within Causeway Coast and Glens, an average of 16 a day, generating £359,952.49 in revenue. This time Dunluce Avenue car park was the top area for fines with 1,115 in total.
Elsewhere across NI, 6,808 penalty charge notices were issued by Derry City and Strabane District Council between April 2023 and March 2024, an average of 19 daily and resulting in revenue of £254,142.63.
That's up 29% on the same period the previous year when 5,264 PCNs were issued or a daily average of 14 and generating £195,618.76. In both years, Bishop Street CP saw the highest number of fines, totalling 2,022.
Meanwhile drivers in Belfast have seen a 3.3% year-on-year increase in the number of parking fines issued to them by their local council. Belfast City Council issued 187 more parking fines between 2023-2024, compared to 2022-23,
Between April 2022 and March 2023, 5,614 penalty charge notices were issued by Belfast City Council. In comparison, between April 2023 and March 2024, this number rose to 5,801 penalty charge notices, marking a 3.3% increase year-on-year.
On average, 16 fines were issued per day between April 2023 to the end of March 2024, compared to 41 per day during the previous 12 months.
The surge in fines has also led to a significant increase in revenue for the council. From April 2022 to the end of March 2023, parking fines generated £237,412.00 for Belfast City Council. In the following year (April 2023 to March 2024), this figure jumped to £240,061.00, representing a 1.1% increase from parking fines.
Lancaster Street CP emerged as the Belfast location with the highest number of fines between 2023-24, with 684 reported. In the previous reporting period, Lancaster Street also held the top spot, with 723 fines issued between April 2022 and March 2023.
Sam Sheehan, motoring editor at cinch, said the figures should be a reminder for all drivers to carefully check any nearby signs before parking – especially in busy areas or places they aren’t familiar with.
"Nobody wants to find a parking fine come through their letterbox. Also, if you think the fine is unfair or it’s incorrect, don’t forget you have 28 days to appeal to an independent tribunal. And, if it is correct, you might be able to reduce the fine by paying sooner rather than later.”
Details of parking fines across Northern Ireland in 2022/23:
Details of parking fines across Northern Ireland in 2023/24:
* Mid and East Antrim Borough Council have responsibility for the enforcement of parking in council owned car parks only on assuming this responsibility in November 2022 from the Department for Infrastructure.
* No data was shared by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council; Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council and Fermanagh and Omagh District Council.
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