COUNCIL bosses in York made a £5.125 million surplus from parking charges and fines last year, putting the city in the top 30 in England.

Figures from the RAC Foundation showed City of York Council’s surplus in 2012/13 was £362,000 more than the year before and the 28th highest in the country, with the authority saying the city’s reputation as a “world-class” visitor destination meant its parking income was generally higher.

Scarborough’s surplus was £3.119 million, £195,000 less than 2011/12 but the 48th highest in the list. East Riding of Yorkshire Council had an £800,000 surplus, with North Yorkshire County Council’s being £564,00, Ryedale District Council’s being £460,000 and Selby District Council’s being £172,000.

The figures are calculated by adding up income from charges and penalty notices and deducting running costs, although they do not take into account infrastructure expenditure.

Darren Richardson, City of York Council’s director of city and environmental services, said: “We periodically review our transport policies, including parking, to meet the changing demands we face and the council is working closely with the business sector to ensure our parking policies are fit for the future.

“The council combines many funding streams to finance these, including parking income, so investment can be made in key areas such as highways and transport to further improve these facilities.”