MILLIONS of pounds have been collected in parking revenue in Weymouth, Portland and west Dorset.

Figures released by the RAC Foundation show that in 2011-12 all councils in England had a total current account surplus of £565 million from their on-street and off-street parking operations.

Councils said the money from parking is used to improve transport and related matters.

Weymouth and Portland Borough Council had a surplus of £1,740,000 in 2011-12, which was down on 2010-11 when they made a surplus of £2,030,000 and 2009-10 when the figure stood at £2,120,000.

West Dorset made a surplus of £1,562,000 for 2011-12, which was down from £1,574,000 and in 2010-11 and £1,600,000. In a list of rankings Weymouth and Portland was 85th in England for the amount of surplus it had made, followed by West Dorset at 99th and Dorset at 292nd.

A Dorset County Council spokesperson said: “DCC is responsible for on-street parking, while the district/borough councils are responsible for car parks in their areas.

“The RAC report shows the county council with a surplus of £23,000 for 2011/12 – following deficits of £91,000 and £162,000 in 2010/11 and 2009/10 respectively.

“According to the RAC listing, this makes DCC’s cash surplus generated from parking charges one of the five lowest of any council in England.”

He added: “Before 2010/11 the county council’s sole source of revenue was from payment of penalty charges – such as for parking on double yellow lines. “Operational costs exceeded income, resulting in these deficits.”

Since 2010-11 DCC has installed pay and display machines for on-street parking in Dorchester and Blandford, creating a small surplus in 2011-12.

The surplus figures represent the amount left as such costs as capital charges – money put in to replace infrastructure – is taken into account.

Christine James, spokesman for transport and infrastructure at Weymouth and Portland Borough Council, said income from on street parking was always spent on improving transport and related matters.

She said: “Parking charges in the borough are set to be reduced. “The number of penalty notices issued has gone down. “Our parking income has also gone down, as highlighted in the RAC report. “We pride ourselves that our parking attendants are there to keep traffic moving as smoothly as possible and to discourage dangerous and inconsiderate parking, rather than to raise money.”

Councillor Robert Gould, leader of West Dorset District Council, added: “Parking charges in West Dorset have been frozen for seven years. We now offer some of the cheapest parking on the south coast, which makes us an attractive place to visit.”

He added: “Our parking income has been reduced, as highlighted in the RAC’s report. “Parking in West Dorset is also free overnight in all car parks and many are also free on Sundays too.”

HOLIDAYMAKERS in Weymouth said they thought the parking charges were too high.

Jennifer Nel, 41, from Dorchester, paid £2.60 to park. She said: “I think it’s absolutely disgusting.”

She added: “I think in holiday time they should lower prices to bring people in.”

Pamela Roche came down from Middlesex with her family. She paid £6 to park for the day.

She said the parking charges were absolutely outrageous.

“Back home in Middlesex its 50 pence an hour – it’s quite a difference.”

Martin House, 56, from Southampton, said: “This is a capitalisation on its location.

“It’s supply and demand. They know they can get it.”

Natalie Werrel, 28, from Essex, lives near Southend. She said: “Southend isn’t as expensive as it is here.”

She said she thought the charges were a bit excessive.

Glen and Louise Thompson, both 48, were down from the West Midlands. They were looking to go and use the park and ride as the car park would cost them £5.20 for four hours.

Mr Thompson said: “They are expensive.

“It’s too much.”

Mrs Thompson said: “I think it’s expensive. We’re not used to paying these sort of prices at home. It seems a lot of money.”

Philip Cadogan, 60, from Huddersfield, said: “They are too high.”

But David Ladbrooke, 75, from Norfolk, said he thought the prices were alright. He paid £2.60 for two hours.

He said: “I think it’s perfectly okay.”