A Freedom of Information (FOI) request to Cardiff City Council shows they have raised more than £5 million in parking charges in the last financial year.
The figures were from 2015/16 and showed a 12% increase from the previous year.
The council says the money raised from parking charges at pay and display machines is spent on infrastructure. This includes such as fixing potholes and general road maintenance.
But according to the Taxpayers Alliance it’s an extra tax on motorists “The council are raking it in from parking costs and motorists have every right to feel like they are being used as cash cows”
People in Cardiff had mixed views on the charges. One man wasn’t happy with the rises. He said “it’s far too expensive, it’s ridiculous, I think it’s unfair they’ve increased it to so late in the night”. However another said “If they spend the money on things like improving the roads and park and ride, then I think that’s okay.”
But Sarah Merry, a Labour Councillor for Cathays said “the rise in fees is due to cuts to the Council’s budget and we’ve had to look at raising money in other ways.”
There are eight areas in Cardiff that have pay and display parking machines. Prices start from £1.70 for the first hour and go up to £5 for up to five hours.
Pay and display machines run by the council are generally cheaper than private run car parks in the city centre.
The St David’s and Capitol car parks charge £6 for a five hour stay whereas Cardiff Greyfriars charge up to £22 for a five hour stay.
