REVEALED: The leafy English town where parking fines have surged 216 per cent

The 216 per cent increase has frustrated motorists and there are claims it has driven away regular customers.

In the financial year of 2023/24, nearly 15,000 PCNs had been cancelled or written off.

The price for parking at the various small council-run car parks across Tunbridge Wells are expected to rise next week.

Proposals indicate that one hour of parking would jump from 80p to £2.30.

At Turnbridge Wells' Georgian-era walkway at the Pantiles, family-run businesses are feeling the strain.

Sarah Wood, 61, claimed parking fees and rules are turning people away.

Ms Wood took over Trevor Mottram homeware store - previously ran by her uncle Trevor, 27 years ago.

She claimed customers panic over parking and have asked her to deliver to nearby town - Crowborough as they do not want to drive to Tunbridge Wells.

“Charging people a fiver for two hours’ parking barely gives them time to eat lunch and mooch around the shops," Ms Wood told The Times.

"Why would they bother coming here to buy a cast-iron pan off me when they could order online without paying that extra on top?”

The Pantiles has about 270 parking spaces which is compared to the 3,000 across complexes at the top of the town.

Council-run car parks in Tunbridge Wells use the PayGo app, The Times reported.

It is aimed at saving people time, however, people have become frustrated and confused at the system - which can not be used in places without phone signal.

One drivers was given a penalty ticket after paying over the phone with the council later admitting "a mistake had been made" - Kent Online has reported.

Ms Wood has been a victim of technology as well.

"In the timing between me paying (for a ticket) in my car and leaving, I got charged," she said.

"When the ticket man uses his handheld scanner, it doesn't always pick up straight away that you've paid on the app."

She was successful in an appeal and "they very graciously said, 'on this occasion we will not charge you'."

Residents in other parts of Kent have been calling for the county council to review its contract with Euro Car Parks.

It is claimed the private company charges a £20 administrative fee to write off disputed fines when drivers describe an honest mistake.

Councils across the country have strengthened their parking enforcement.

There has been a 30 per cent increase in tickets across England from 2019/20 and 2024/25. Wales had an 11 per cent decrease, according to Traffic Penalty Tribunal data.