More than 100 parking tickets were handed out in Oldham every day in the first half of 2022, new figures reveal.

Penalty Charge Notices are issued when drivers break parking regulations, such as by parking on double yellow lines or on a single yellow line at a prohibited time.

Figures obtained by Churchill Motor Insurance through Freedom of Information requests show 20,019 penalty charge notices were handed out by the council in the six months to June 2022 – equivalent to 111 each day.

This was a fall from 120 per day across the whole of 2021 – although seasonal variations and coronavirus lockdowns may have contributed.

Nicholas Mantel, head of Churchill Motor Insurance, said: “Motorists across Britain are regularly being caught out by increased and sometimes complicated parking restrictions.

“We would encourage drivers to always check parking signs carefully to ensure they avoid any expensive fines.

“If motorists do receive a parking fine, they have 28 days to pay it or appeal to an independent tribunal,” he added.

In total, 230 councils across the UK responded to the Freedom of Information requests.

Among those that provided data, the figures show a rise in the average daily number of parking fines, from 17,500 in 2021 to 19,600 in the first half of last year.

The figures show the council brought in £460,173 in revenue in the first half of 2022 from penalty charge notices – or £2,557 a day.

This was a fall from £3,159 a day across the whole of 2021.

The figures further show £2,530,405 has been collected by the council from parking tickets from the start of 2020 to June 2022.

Issue of parking taken 'very seriously'

In response to the data, council leader, Cllr Amanda Chadderton, said: “We take the issue of parking very seriously in Oldham and the restrictions we have in place across our roads are there for a reason – to avert motorists from parking irresponsibly and unsafely.

“Unfortunately, some motorists choose not to abide by these restrictions, which is not only hazardous to other road users but frustrating for local residents too.

“That is why our parking enforcement officers are out and about across the borough every day, taking action against motorists who think this behaviour is acceptable.

“We regularly monitor areas where residents have informed us of repeated cases of irresponsible parking too, and enforce where possible.

“Councils across the country operate similar schemes and any surplus money from fines issued is used to fund the highways improvements.

“As always, vehicle owners have the right to appeal fines and can do so by following the instructions on the back of the penalty charge notice, whereby the evidence will be reviewed.”

RAC criticises 'threat' of parking tickets

The RAC Foundation, a charity for motorists, said parking rules are there for a reason – but added "over-enthusiastic parking enforcement" may also be playing a role in the rise across the UK.

Steve Gooding, director of the organisation, said: “Whichever way they turn and wherever they decide to stop, on-street and off-street, drivers are faced with the threat of parking sanctions.

“Between the 20,000 tickets issued by councils daily and the 30,000 dished out by private parking companies, motorists are seemingly facing a positive flurry of fines and charges – around one every two seconds.

A spokesperson for the Local Government Association, who represent councils in England and Wales, said: “Income raised through on-street parking charges and parking fines is spent on running parking services.

"Any surplus is spent on essential transport projects, including fixing the £11bn road repairs backlog, reducing congestion, tackling poor air quality and supporting local bus services."