Ealing Council has reported a significant 30% increase in parking fine revenue over the past year, collecting £5.7 million in 2024 compared to £4.4 million in 2023.

This rise is attributed to enhanced enforcement measures and the implementation of advanced technology.

In 2024, the council issued 142,903 Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs), a substantial increase from the 89,618 issued in 2023. The council credits this surge to improved monitoring of Controlled Parking Zones (CPZs) and the deployment of automatic number plate recognition systems, which have bolstered enforcement efforts against prohibited or dangerous parking violations.

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In 2022, the council generated £1.7 million from the issuance of 34,661 penalty charge notices.

Despite facing two rounds of industrial action by traffic wardens in 2024, the council maintained enforcement operations by employing agency workers during the strikes. The industrial disputes, which spanned from late August to early November, centred around allegations of 'ticketing targets' and the council's refusal to recognize Unite the Union as the wardens' representative body. The council has denied the existence of any ticketing quotas.

In response to the increased fines, Unite general secretary Sharon Graham criticized the council, stating that the measures are "ripping off residents" and endangering workers. She accused the council of union-busting tactics and prioritizing revenue over community welfare.

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The council asserts that all income generated from parking enforcement is legally ring-fenced and must be allocated to transport-related initiatives, including road maintenance and sustainable travel projects.

Comparatively, Ealing ranks second among outer London boroughs in parking fine revenue, trailing Waltham Forest, which collected £6.3 million from 158,440 PCNs in 2024. Merton follows with £4.4 million from 110,017 PCNs

Looking ahead, parking penalties in Ealing are set to increase by £30 starting 7 April 2025, with higher-level fines rising from £130 to £160. The council anticipates that this adjustment will further deter illegal parking and support ongoing transport initiatives.