"It's pretty big business, it's fair to say," said a council spokesman.
Critics say the shift from police to local councils changed the emphasis from ensuring smooth traffic to enriching councils.
"The old-style traffic warden would march up and down roads all day, telling people to hop to it," said Kevin Delaney, head of traffic and road safety for the Royal Automobile Club. "You only got a ticket if you ignored him. The parking attendant will watch you park illegally, wait until you've left and give you a ticket." he said.
"That's how we got to where we are now," he added.
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