Motorists were slapped with more than £6.5million in parking fines in Tower Hamlets during the last financial year.

More than 117,000 parking tickets helped swell town hall coffers by millions of pounds, according to information released through a freedom of information request.

The council was slammed by businesses and motoring groups for making quick cash out of drivers.

Paul Watters, who is head of roads policy at the AA, said: “It’s seen as easy pickings and yet they do nothing about addressing pressures on curb side space.

“Not all those drivers were deliberately breaking the rules – some of them were just mistakes.”

The money was raised by parking wardens and CCTV cameras catching motorists out during the financial year ending last month.

Business representatives warned that quick-thinking parking wardens were making it impossible for local shops to re-stock.

Krissie Nicolson, who is the founder of business representative group the East End Trades Guild, said: “A lot of traders feel like they are really being hit by the fact that there’s nowhere to park.

“It’s very difficult for suppliers to load in and out of businesses because they are liable to get a ticket, even if they are very quick”, she added.

She called on the council to consult with businesses to find solutions for the “difficult problem” of parking.

Tower Hamlets Council said the fines were partly a result of the borough’s dense population, and said revenue was comparable to other inner London boroughs.

A spokesperson added: “Enforcing parking and traffic regulations will continue to play a key role in ensuring the safety of all road users and balancing the needs of residents, travellers and businesses.”