One Welsh council increased its car parking profits by more than 3,000% in the last year, according to RAC research.

Newport City Council made £306,000 profit on car parking in the year 2017/18, up from £9,000 the previous year, an increase of 3,295%.

Local authorities in Wales made more than £14 million profit on car parking last year, according to the data.

No wonder then that in many parts of the country road space is at a premium and is being charged for accordingly Steve Gooding

The figures, from annual returns to the Welsh Government, show £14.4 million was recorded as profit on the £38.5 million taken by the 22 Welsh authorities for car parking in 2017/18

The £14.4million figure marks the fifth consecutive year of parking surplus increase, up from £14million in 2016/17.

Welsh capital Cardiff recorded the largest profit, with more than £3.8 million, followed by Swansea who made £2.85 million.

Only three local authorities made losses on parking activities – with Blaenau Gwent losing £453,000, Flintshire £108,000, and Torfaen recording a £78,000 loss.

Steve Gooding, director of the RAC Foundation said: “There are 1.54 million cars in Wales, up 40% in just two decades. Over the same period, the number of vans has grown at an even greater rate – up 83% to 205,000.

“No wonder then that in many parts of the country road space is at a premium and is being charged for accordingly.

“Yet not all councils will be wanting to increase parking fees as a way of reducing traffic. Some will actively be seeking more visitors to boost local high streets clinging on to economic viability and helping make travel to these locations affordable is one way of doing it.”