Spike in number of parking tickets issued in Argyll and Bute

But research carried out by a car insurance comparison website has found that despite the vast increase, the area’s income from parking tickets actually fell in the same period.

A survey by Confused.com showed that 6,818 parking tickets, or PCNs (penalty charge notices) were issued in Argyll and Bute during 2018, bringing in a total of £191,031.

That compares to income of £207,989 in 2017, despite almost a thousand fewer tickets – 5,826, to be exact – being issued during that year.

The figures were revealed as the website launched a campaign urging motorists to fight against what they view as unfair parking fines.

An Argyll and Bute Council spokesperson said: “Income generated from parking is reinvested in frontline services including car parks and road maintenance.

“The income from PCNs can depend on how soon the fines are paid. A fine can cost either £30, £60 or £90 – with a discount applied for early payment.”

The survey showed that across the 21 Scottish local authorities who responded, more than £14.3 million was made in parking ticket income in 2018.

Glasgow City Council made more than half of that total, which was an increase of nearly £400,000 on 2017 across 22 councils – the previous 21 plus Inverclyde, which did not supply a 2018 total.

As well as Argyll and Bute, East Ayrshire has also shown a decrease in parking income despite more tickets being issued.

Amanda Stretton, motoring editor at Confused.com, said: “The fact that almost three-quarters (74 per cent) of PCN appeals were successful last year suggests that some fines are being issued unfairly.

“Challenging an unfair fine can be both complicated and daunting. The appeal process is confusing and needs to be made clearer.

“With councils raking in over £326 million in PCNs, it’s only right that some of this fine money is invested to help make road signs clearer to eliminate the number of fines being distributed unfairly.

“In the meantime, we’re helping people fight unfair fines and navigate through the chaotic appeal process.

“Our challenge checklist should help motorists decide whether to appeal a fine and guide them through the process. With the cost of motoring ever-increasing we shouldn’t be forking out even more money to pay for unfair fines.”

In May, it was reported that driver Thomas Nelson had won his 15-month battle to overturn a parking ticket at Helensburgh’s free pier car park.

He was hit with the £30 fine in February 2018 on the grounds that he was parked outwith a bay, but won his appeal on the grounds of “insufficient signage”.