Edinburgh makes more than £17m in parking charge profits

The city banked the highest total of all the Scottish councils in 2014-15, followed by Glasgow, which made a profit of £11.4m.

An RAC analysis of council accounts found that 17 were in surplus across the country and 13 in deficit, while two did not return figures. In total, Scottish councils made £36.1m in profits.

City transport leader Councillor Lesley Hinds said: “As the capital of Scotland it’s essential that we keep the city moving, and parking restrictions ensure accessibility for all road users by maintaining road safety and encouraging free flow of vehicles.

“Parking charges also help businesses, residents and their visitors by encouraging a frequent turnaround of spaces, as well as deterring all-day parking.

“Charges for permits and on-street parking are important tools in managing demand for limited kerbside space and any surplus income is invested in the transport infrastructure and council budget.”