Nearly half a million pounds was collected in parking fines last year – an increase of £90,000 since 2013.

New figures have revealed that Ipswich Borough Council issued 16,567 tickets in 2014, collecting £481,800.

This compares to 13,113 tickets in 2013, which raised £391,600 in fines.

Paul Clement, chief executive of Ipswich Central, an organisation that represents town centre businesses, last night said the new figure required scrutiny while the borough council said the surplus from on-street fines would be reinvested in Ipswich.

Environment and transport portfolio holder for Ipswich Borough Council Philip Smart said: “The council undertakes parking enforcement to keep the road safe for all users, avoid traffic congestion and keep traffic moving in the interest of the local economy.

“We issued 16,567 penalty charge notices and this includes on-street and off-street parking tickets issued.

“We would remind motorists that to avoid receiving a penalty charge notice they should not park illegally and, remind those using our car parks that the pay and display tickets have a reminder stub, which can be detached as a reminder of when to return to their vehicle.”

He added: “I would also point out that any surplus made from on-street penalty charge notices is reinvested in improvement schemes that benefit Ipswich.”

Paul Clement, chief executive of Ipswich Central said the figures should be “looked at”, but believed it was correct the borough should stop illegal parking.

Mr Clement added: “The principle I don’t have a problem with, if it’s dangerous or illegal then tickets should be issued.

“Something that should be looked at is whether the borough is being overly aggressive.

“I’m not saying that is what they’re doing but it’s important then town does not send out an anti car message to residents or visitors.

“The figures will require scrutiny, but if it’s acting against unlawful parking I have no issue.”

According to figures released under the Freedom of Information Act, 13,217 tickets were issued in 2012, raising £390,000. In 2011 the borough issued 13,370 parking tickets, at a cost of £398,900 to motorists. In 2010 14,428 parking tickets were handed to drivers, earning £447,200.