Three million pounds made out of motorists in Richmond

Richmond Borough has hit back after claims from the Forum of Private Business that councils up and down the country are "hammering" motorists through parking charges and fines.

Research released by the Institute of Advanced Motorists has shown that Richmond Borough Council has made over £3.5 million pounds in the last year.  

The year before that the IAM claims the authority made over £4 million .

However, a Richmond Borough Council spokesman has said: "There has been no increase in parking charges in Richmond upon Thames since the current Conservative administration were elected in 2010 and none are planned for the year 2013/14."

"In fact on being elected the administration reduced the cost of Community Parking Permits and introduced free short term parking for residents in all car parks and on street bays."

Forum spokesman, Robert Downes says: "The high street is sick, and while not a cure-all, free parking for shoppers would be a practical dose of medicine to helping ailing retailers make it to 2014"

In the national figures, Westminster Council topped the list of the councils pocketing parking profits, netting £38 million.  

A Richmond Council spokesman has also gone on to defend the authority's parking policy: "Richmond has a 'fair parking' approach with an emphasis on working with motorists rather than against them and encourage residents to shop locally."  

"As a result, we believe Richmond remains a good place for parking and do not feel that people would be deterred from shopping in the borough given the success of our parking policy."