DRIVERS and businesses have warned Liverpool council not to treat motorists as "cash cows" after it emerged more than £1m was paid in parking fines in the city in 2005.
Information obtained under the Freedom of Information Act shows how much income is obtained from each of the council's 80 car parks and parking bays in the city centre.
The 12-storey Mount Pleasant car park raised more than £1.1m alone in the 12 months to October 2005.
The Victoria Street car park generated more than £404,000. Other big earners included William Brown Street with £88,359 and Rodney Street with £68,000.
But Ed Oliver, of Liverpool's stores committee, said: "Our concern is that there are not enough parking spaces and as the city grows it cannot meet demand.
"There should be serious investment in public transport and park and ride schemes.
"What is the council and Merseytravel going to do now the tram has bitten the dust?"
Steve Doran, who owns a graphic design firm with offices in Rodney Street, said: "My business attracts a lot of people to this part of the city centre, and if they have a good experience, it's likely they will return.
"The problem is that too often they do not. The road works have been horrendous and the traffic wardens are always ready to pounce."
Council parking services manager Roy Tunstall said: "Every penny of that income is ring-fenced meaning it can only be spent on schemes to make parking easier."
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