BLACKBURN with Darwen and Burnley councils made a ‘profit’ of more than £200,000 each from car parking charges and parking fines in 2011/2012, according to new figures which were obtained by the RAC Foundation.

The figures show that Hyndburn, Pendle and Rossendale, where on and off street parking is free, lost money.

The statistics, obtained from the government’s Department of Communities and Local Government, disclose the biggest earning East Lancashire borough was Chorley with a £601,000 profit from parking.

In 2011/2012 Blackburn with Darwen collected £203,000 from fines and charges before deducting capital costs against just £54,000 in 2010/2011 and £310,000 in 2009/2010 – placing them 258 in a table of 353 local authorities topped by Westminster at £41.6 million.

The council and the RAC foundation were unable to explain the sudden drop in revenue in 2010/2011.

Burnley – placed 237 – raised £321,000 in 2011/2012, £326,000 in 2010/2011 and £226,000 in 2009/2010.

Hyndburn lost £94,000 in 2011/2012, with Rossendale £51,000, and Pendle £41,000.

Ribble Valley made more than £100,000 from parking annually over the three year period.

RAC Foundation director Professor Stephen Glaister said of a nationwide £565 million surplus: “For many local authorities, parking charges are a nice little earner.”

Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles said: “This multi-million municipal parking profit shows why we need to review unfair town hall parking rules.”

Blackburn with Darwen Chamber of Trade chairman Tony Duckworth said: “There is clearly enough money being raised for the borough to look at lowering charges or extending free parking on Saturdays to help town centre traders.”

His Burnley counterpart Brian Hobbs said: “Here the system works to promote traffic flows and trade.”

Blackburn with Darwen highways boss Maureen Bateson said: “The revenue raised from charges is reinvested into maintenance of highways, public transport and improvements in road safety. Parking fees are kept to a minimum.”

And a Burnley council spokesman said: “The council is sensitive to the economic situation and sets its parking charges accrdingly.”

Pendle Council’s David Whipp said: “We don't use enforcement as a means of raising money. We use it to control our short stay car parks to make sure they don't get clogged up.”

Hyndburn borough dep-uty leader Clare Pritchard said: “As we have a long-standing policy of not charging for parking, we incur costs from parking regulation rather than making a profit. We think free parking is important to keep our town centres vibrant and active.”

Rossendale regeneration boss Andy MacNae said: “Parking is free because it means our towns are that bit more attractive to visiting shoppers.”