DRIVERS in the Borders have seen a 30.3 per cent year-on-year increase in the number of parking fines issued to them by the council, new data has revealed.

According to figures obtained through a Freedom of Information (FOI) request, Scottish Borders Council issued 471 more parking fines between 2023-2024, compared to 2022-23.

The ‘pay and display’ High Street Car Park in Galashiels emerged as the location with the highest number of fines in 2023, with 524 reported.

A total of 434 penalties were issued there in 2022.

The data has been analysed by car site Cinch.

It found that between April 2022 and March 2023, 1,553 penalty charge notices were issued by SBC across the region.

In comparison, between April 2023 and March 2024, this number jumped to 2,024, marking a 30.3 per cent increase year-on-year.

On average, six fines were issued per day between April 2023 and March 2024, compared to four 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 and March 2023, parking fines generated £18,850.00 for SBC.

In the following year (April 2023 and March 2024), this figure soared to £31,831.00 – representing a 68.9 per cent increase from parking fines.

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.

He added: “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. ”

A spokesperson for Scottish Borders Council confirmed that the statistics were correct, adding: “Scottish Borders Council has had no staff changes regarding the enforcement of off-street pay and display car parks during the periods identified.

“Staff only carry out enforcement where vehicles are identified to be in contravention of the Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) in place.

“On February 1, 2023, Scottish Borders Council standardised tariff bands and daily operational periods across all pay and display car parks.

“At the same time, penalty charges were increased from £20 (with a reduced charge of £10 if payment received within 10 days) to £40 (with a reduced charge of £20 if payment received within 10 days) for any surcharges/excess charges/irregular parking charges that may be incurred.”

Cinch – www.cinch.co.uk – is the UK’s biggest online retailer of used cars.