A combined £18.6 million was generated from on-street and off-street parking across parts of the county between 2017/18, a new study has revealed.

Freedom of Information requests to North and South Essex Parking Partnerships and Essex councils (excluding Southend and Thurrock) revealed the parking income raised for each financial year between 2013/14 and 2017/18.

The research revealed the parking income slowly raised for each financial year between 2013/14 and 2017/18.

In the Epping Forest region, off-street parking income had actually decreased by just over £41,000 between 2016/17 and 2017/2018.

Several other districts across Essex had also seen reductions, including Harlow, Rochford, Braintree, Castle Point, Tendring and Uttlesford.

Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) make up, on average, 68 per cent of on-street parking income, and 23 per cent is permits, which is generated from illegal parking.

Nearly 127,000 PCNS were issued across Essex in 2017/18, up from 124,194 (2016/17) and 114,758 (2015/16).

Cllr Robert Mitchell, chairman of the North Essex Parking Partnership, said: “Income generated by parking is offset against costs and expenditures to the organisation, and any remaining funds are invested in improving parking services, which includes introducing parking schemes, education programmes, communication and staff training, to name a few.

“We are also looking at a number of innovative methods to work smarter, for instance using technology to provide live parking-space information and help reduce the motorists' impact on the environment.”

A spokesman from the NEPP added: “As part of its work to deliver the Positive Parking Agenda (PPA) and enhance its service even further, NEPP has also invested in improving its parking policies, mapping restrictions, its website and providing smarter parking with 24/7 access to MiPermit account, including the ticketing system at Colchester’s Park and Ride.”