MOTORISTS’ change swallowed up by parking meters across Teignbridge has filled council coffers to the tune of a whopping £350,000, it emerged this week.

Figures released through a Freedom of Information request reveal the district authority bagged itself £338,827 in unreturned coins between 2011 to 2016.

Liberal Democrat leader Gordon Hook reckons the final sum could be closer to £1/2 million.

He asked for figures from 2011 until now, but was instead only given the total collected up till March 2016, nearly two years ago.

‘I believe it is theft,’ he thundered after hearing the amounts involved.

‘People are paying well over the odds for parking – and Teignbridge Council is still going to raise parking prices,’ he complained.

The majority of machines in car parks owned by Teignbridge Council don’t give motorists any change. All overpayments are collected by the council.

The district authority, Cllr Hook claims, cannot afford to buy new machines which dispense change.

News of the cash boost came on Monday when Cllr Hook quizzed Tory leader Jeremy Christophers on how the money had been spent.

In a written response, Cllr Christophers told his political opponent: ‘These funds have been utilised to offset other variances within the revenue budget.’

He added: ‘They form part of the income and expenditure streams which balance our general fund.’

Altogether, there are 63 pay-and-display machines across Teignbridge and just six change-giving pay-on-foot stations.

Cllr Christophers added: ‘Where parking surpluses have been made against the budget we have in the past and will in the future be reinvesting elements of this surplus back into the service.’

Cllr Hook argued: ‘Teignbridge has made almost £1/2 million from using machines which don’t give change. That is iniquitous in my opinion.

‘If they can’t find machines which give change then either reduce the charges to avoid change being necessary or invest the excessive bonus in other sustainable transport initiatives.’

He added: ‘If Lib Dems ran the council we would use this bonus income to provide a free bus pass for 16 to 19-year-olds across Teignbridge which would help young people continue with their education – or get to employment at a time in their lives when money is in short supply.’

And he promised: ‘This would be a real plus for young people in need, a priority for the Lib Dems – and would form part of our first budget if we regain control of the council.’