Dorset Council earns nearly £900K from parking permits since 2020
Research shows the numbers have been increasing year on year
Dorset Council has collected £891,595 from residential parking permits since 2020 – the amounts going up as parking charges have increased.
Research by cinch, the UK’s biggest online retailer of used cars, says the number of residential parking permits issued in the Dorset Council area has grown by 8% in five years, from 2,854 in 2020 to 3,086 in 2024.
The figures, however, show a dip during the Covid period.
The biggest hike in demand occurred between 2023 and 2024, when permit numbers rose by 3% (from 2,988 to 3,086).
Figures for the period show permits issued in 2020 brought in £167,460; in 2021 - £174,770 (+4%); 2022 - £173,570 (–1%); 2023 - £175,930 (+1%) and 2024 - £199,865 (+14%, highest recorded revenue).
In neighbouring Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole the 5-year income from parking permits amount to just over £1.54million.
Both authorities have been urging residents to take advantage of the permits which can dramatically cut the cost of parking over the course of a year.
Sam Sheehan, motoring editor at cinch, said: “Parking permits can be great for making sure residents have somewhere to park near their homes, but there should be a balance between affordability and accessibility.
“Our research shows that parking permits are getting more expensive across the UK, putting extra financial strain on residents already dealing with rising living costs.
“Multi-car households are often the most affected. Second and third permits come at a premium and can be as much as four times more expensive than a first permit in some areas.”