Imagine being slapped with parking fines that have skyrocketed by a staggering 216% in just three years! Welcome to Royal Tunbridge Wells, where motorists are declaring a full-blown 'car parking crisis' as they grapple with escalating charges, confusing apps, and relentless parking wardens.

This picturesque town, known as the 'garden of England', is now under siege. Instead of enjoying the serene beauty of their surroundings, residents are feeling the heat as penalties for parking violations have soared from 36,587 in 2021 to an unbelievable 115,741 in 2024. What’s more shocking? Almost 15,000 of those tickets were cancelled, but that hardly eases the pain for the majority of frustrated drivers.

As if that weren't enough, the council is planning to triple the cost of parking in some areas, pushing the price for just one hour from 80p to £2.30. This increase isn’t limited to public parking; private spaces are also feeling the strain, leaving many wondering if they still want to visit the town at all.

Residents like Jan Farrage, aged 67, have called the situation a 'nightmare'. She expressed her frustration over the multitude of confusing parking apps that require different logins for each service, lamenting, “Why can't there be one simple system?” Others echoed her sentiments, with many feeling that the town is becoming increasingly unwelcoming.

Another local, Dennis Nolan, 56, declared the situation a 'crisis' and recounted how he barely had time to purchase a ticket before being issued a fine. “Wardens pounce on you like you're prey,” he lamented, capturing the sentiment of many.

Meanwhile, 81-year-old Robin Rae reminisced about the days when cash payments were accepted, stating, “People my age are put off from coming into town. Yet that might be the only activity they get.” The shift to card-only payments has left many older residents feeling alienated.

Even visitors are feeling the sting. Tourists like Gina Bond, who used to enjoy free Sunday parking, now find themselves paying £3 on their leisurely visits. “It feels like drivers get punished at every opportunity,” she said, reflecting the growing dissatisfaction among visitors and locals alike.

Shopkeepers like Ryan Deighton have seen foot traffic dwindle, with trade down by about 20% as the parking situation worsens. He noted that customers complain about the costs and the hassle, declaring, “It’s not very inviting.”

While the council defends its price hikes as in line with inflation and necessary for maintaining car parks, the signs of discontent are everywhere. With reports indicating that councils across the UK are raking in profits that have surged to £1.1 billion from parking fines alone, it seems that the era of easy parking is becoming a distant memory.

As the number of parking wardens now surpasses the number of full-time soldiers in the army, with a staggering 82,000 traffic enforcement officers on the streets, it's clear that motorists are facing an uphill battle in the fight against mounting parking fines. The statistics show a national trend, with councils benefiting financially while drivers bear the brunt of rising costs.

With the situation worsening, it’s hard not to wonder: are parking fees becoming a covert tax on driving in the UK?