There has been a 35 per cent rise in parking tickets handed out across Stevenage, after more than 16,000 fines were issued across a 12-month period.

According to the new figures obtained by cinch through a Freedom of Information (FOI) request, Stevenage Borough Council issued 16,203 penalty charge notices between April 2023 and March 2024.

That figure was up 35.7 per cent from the previous year, with 11,937 penalty charge notices handed out between April 2022 and March 2023.

This also saw the council's PCN revenue soar from £352,035 to £476,473.

Coreys Mill Lane, near to Lister Hospital, was the worst place for parking tickets across both years, with 2,106 fines issued in 2022-23, and 2,427 in 2023-24.

The Comet reached out to Stevenage Borough Council for comment, with an increased number of vehicles on the road being cited as the reason for an rise in parking fines.

"The main factors for the increase in PCN numbers issued on public land in Stevenage are the increased number of vehicles within the town and additional parking restrictions introduced in recent years to manage that parking demand, promote traffic flows and road safety," a spokesperson said.

"Also, another important factor is that the patrol deployment time in 2023-24 was increased to be able to enforce those additional restrictions and ensure road safety in line with the duty placed on us by the Traffic Management Act."

Issuing advice on PCNs, cinch motoring editor Sam Sheehan said: "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."

To find out more about the findings, visit www.cinch.co.uk.