It's ten years ago this week since we reported on the large increase in money recouped by a council on parking charges.

Waltham Forest Council made £3.1million profit from parking charges during the last financial year.

The Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) said the figure represented a 63 per cent rise on the previous year, when the council recouped £1.9million.

The statistics are based on government data on the amount spent and earned by local authorities on parking.

The IAM has urged councils to rule out rises in parking charges "in recognition of the financial burdens already faced by motorists" and said more should be spent on road safety measures instead.

However some councils, although not Waltham Forest, have said the money is reinvested in highways schemes, so have disputed IAM's claim that it is 'profit'.

Cllr Clyde Loakes, cabinet member for environment at Waltham Forest Council, said in a statement: “The increase in the figures quoted are largely down to the fact London Councils have increased the level of penalty charges, not just here in Waltham Forest, but in all boroughs across the capital.

"This is reflected in the rates of increase in other boroughs – some of which considerably outstrip Waltham Forest, e.g. Kingston-upon-Thames saw a 320 per cent increase, Havering 186 per cent and Barking and Dagenham 174 per cent.

“It is also important to draw a distinction between these figures and any alterations in charges to park in the borough’s car parks, on-street or in parking bays.

"The increases being highlighted are down to rising charges levied against motorists who park illegally and subsequently receive fixed penalty notices."