Wells has not been immune to the massive rise in parking fines issued across Somerset over the past year. A new report reveals that Somerset Council has issued a staggering 59,106 penalty charge notices between August 2023 and August 2024, a 456% increase from the previous year's 10,628 fines.

Between August 2023 and August 2024, the council issued 59,106 parking fines, compared to just 10,628 fines in the previous year, according to a Freedom of Information request from cinch, the UK's biggest online retailer of used cars.

This dramatic rise reflects stricter enforcement measures and a heightened focus on parking compliance in the city.

From August 2023 to August 2024, a total of 3,266 fines were issued in Wells, representing 5.5% of the 59,106 fines handed out across Somerset in the same period. These fines generated £87,115 for Somerset Council.

Here are the locations in Wells where drivers are most likely to receive a fine:

• Union Street Car Park: 562 fines, generating £11,870
• High Street, Wells: 559 fines, generating £18,340
• Sadler Street: 355 fines, generating £11,515
• Princes Road Car Park: 268 fines, generating £5,300
• South Street Car Park: 248 fines, generating £5,355
• Priory Road: 168 fines, generating £5,300
• St Cuthbert Street: 143 fines, generating £3,575
• Cathedral Green: 132 fines, generating £3,355
• St John Street: 106 fines, generating £3,535
• Tucker Street Car Park: 98 fines, generating £1,870
• Portway: 36 fines, generating £1,085
• Broad Street: 108 fines, generating £2,720
• Stoberry Avenue: 49 fines, generating £1,660
• Market Place Car Park: 103 fines, generating £2,335
• New Street: 10 fines, generating £315
• Mill Street: 10 fines, generating £350

The increased enforcement reflects a wider trend across Somerset, where fines have soared over the past year, with an average of 162 fines issued per day, compared to just 29 fines per day the previous year.

Sam Sheehan, motoring editor at cinch, said: "These figures should be a reminder for all drivers to carefully check any nearby signs before parking—especially in busy areas or places they aren't familiar with. Nobody wants to find a parking fine come through their letterbox."