Drivers in Stevenage have seen a 35.7% year-on-year increase in the number of Penalty Charge Notices (PCN) issued to them by their local council, according to new data analysed by cinch, the UK’s biggest online retailer of used cars.
According to the new figures obtained through a Freedom of Information (FOI) request, Stevenage Borough Council issued 4266 more PCNs between 2023-2024, compared to 2022-23:
- Between April 2022 and March 2023,11,937 penalty charge notices were issued by Stevenage Borough Council.
- In comparison, between April 2023 and March 2024, this number jumped to 16,203 penalty charge notices, marking a dramatic 35.7% increase year-on-year.
- On average, 44 fines were issued per day between April 2023 to March 2024, compared to 33 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, PCNs generated £352,035.16 for Stevenage Borough Council.
- In the following year (April 2023 to March 2024), this figure soared to £476,473.40, representing a 35.3% increase from PCNs.
Coreys Mill Lane, Stevenage emerged as the Stevenage location with the highest number of fines between 2023-24, with 2,427 reported. In the previous reporting period, Coreys Mill Lane also held the top spot, with 2,106 fines issued between April 2022 and March 2023.
Sam Sheehan, motoring editor at cinch, commented on the findings:
“These 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. 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. ”
