A COUNCIL raked in more than £300,000 from a single car park last year, new figures reveal.

Parking at The Sands, in Durham City, earned Durham County Council £330,629.45 in 2013-14, contributing to a £1.3m total for the year and a £5.2m haul since 2009.

The figures were obtained by resident Mark Simmonds, who called on the council to make Bank Holiday parking free and give two free parking days in the run up to Christmas.

“This would provide a much needed boost for the local economies within the County Durham area.

“I’m 100 per cent sure that the vast majority of residents within the county and shops on the high street, large and small, would support my call,” Mr Simmonds said.

Addressing the council, he said: “This is your opportunity to give a small bit of support to your constituents as well as local businesses. This support is much needed at this point in time.”

However, Adrian White, the council’s head of transport and contract services, said it made no profit from car parking charges – with all income spent on running car parks or other parking and transport schemes.

“By doing this we make accessible and affordable parking available as well as convenient public transport to encourage as many people as possible to shop in our high streets,” Mr White added.

The Labour-led council, which faces cuts of more than £200m, runs paid-for car parks in Durham City, Chester-le-Street, Bishop Auckland and Barnard Castle and at Hardwick Park, near Sedgefield.

Galgate, Barnard Castle, was the second highest earner, taking £181,178.60 in 2013-14. By contrast, South Terrace in Bishop Auckland generated just £4,011.15.

Conservative group leader Richard Bell, who previously suggested increasing income by introducing parking charges across the county, called for a review and charges to be harmonised countywide to ensure “fairness”.

The council recently announced parking will be free after 3pm during December and free on Saturday, December 6, for Small Business Saturday, a move welcomed by Cllr Bell.

Mr White said the authority had always been open about its parking activities and further figures for 2013-14 would be available online at durham.gov.uk in the coming weeks.