2014 – the year of the Great British parking squeeze

Motorists’ frustration with widespread parking chaos reaching boiling point

RAC calls on councils to make parking easier and cheaper

Soaring parking charges; fewer and smaller spaces; the disappearance of free parking. It’s a toxic combination, and one that has led the RAC to declare 2014 as the year of the Great British parking squeeze.

The RAC’s Report on Motoring 2014* paints a picture of a parking battleground on the nation’s streets, with motorists well and truly caught in the crossfire – trapped between fewer parking spaces where they really need them and increasing parking charges for those spaces that are left as local authorities look to raise extra revenue to fill gaps in their budgets. And without action, the RAC is warning the squeeze will intensify in the years to come.

Eighty per cent of the 1,526 motorists surveyed reported increasing parking charges in towns and cities. Two thirds of these drivers (67%) believe there is now less parking close to their town or city centre and that parking restrictions have become more stringent where they live, and a quarter (24%) state traffic wardens are now more active in their area.
More than a fifth (22%) said they had seen parking spaces that used to be free become charged for in the last 12 months, rising to a quarter (24%) for those living in suburban areas.

And, 65% of motorists reported that even when they finally find a space to park, it’s too small for today’s breed of cars, many of which are wider than previous generations of vehicle because of the addition of side impact protection features.
The effect of the Great British parking squeeze on motorists is significant – two thirds (67%) of drivers who agree that parking has become more expensive in the town centre (54% of all motorists) have cut the amount of driving they do as a direct result of these increased parking charges. London motorists, in particular, have felt the pain of increased parking costs, with 59% finding high street parking is hitting their pocket more.

In addition, four in 10 (41%) motorists believe that the local authority where they live uses the revenue from parking charges to subsidise other areas of non-motoring expenditure.

RAC technical director David Bizley said: “It’s time for a reality check when it comes to parking in Britain. We have to find a happy medium between the desire of motorists to get to where they want to go, which our research shows is driven in part by inadequate public transport provision in many parts of the country, and the need to keep our towns and cities moving.
“Parking has always been an emotive issue for the nation’s drivers – whether that’s caused by driving around city centres endlessly to find an elusive space, or a neighbour mindlessly blocking your driveway.

“So what is the solution? Britain’s local authorities have undoubtedly got a tough job to keep a growing driving population happy while allowing our high streets to thrive and keep traffic moving, but they need to think and act boldly.

“We need transparency. Councils should be compelled to report where the money raised from parking goes – giving drivers assurance that it is being ploughed back into road and transport improvements, rather than just plugging budget holes elsewhere. Forty-one per cent of drivers we spoke to were suspicious about what parking fees are used for.
“At the same time, drivers need to play their part in using their cars for appropriate journeys, and parking sensibly. Take, for example, the chaos of parking close to the school gates; this is a perennial problem up and down the country and represents a safety risk as well as a general annoyance for drivers and pedestrians alike.

“Councils need to understand that most people are still highly dependent on their cars for shopping and punitive parking charges not only hurt motorists but also impacts on the health of local high streets and businesses. A busy town centre with free parking will invariably be better for local residents and the local economy than one where paid-for parking which brings in funds for the council but deters shoppers.

“The British high street is suffering and the squeeze on parking spaces is making it even tougher for many to get there. We need to find creative solutions that encourage motorists to use the high street or else the out–of–town shopping centre with its free parking will continue to thrive at the expense of traditional town centres. In short, councils should be looking to make it easier and cheaper to park, not more difficult and more expensive.”
The RAC Report on Motoring 2014 is available to download from www.rac.co.uk/advice/reports-on-motoring/. Join the conversation on Twitter: #ROM2014

Ends

Notes to Editors

* The RAC Report on Motoring 2014 is based on a large-scale internet survey carried out by Quadrangle on behalf of the RAC. In total, Quadrangle interviewed 1,526 British motorists (i.e. those who hold a current driving licence and drive at least once a month). The survey was conducted in February 2014.

About RAC
With more than eight million members, the RAC is one of the UK's most progressive motoring organisations, providing services for both private and business motorists. Whether it's roadside assistance, insurance, buying a used car, vehicle inspections and checks, legal services or up-to-the-minute traffic and travel information – the RAC offers a solution for all motoring needs. The RAC is committed to making motoring easier, safer, more affordable and more enjoyable for drivers and road users.
The RAC is the motorist’s champion and campaigns to support the interests of its members and UK motorists at a national level, including advancing levels of road safety, supporting the needs of young drivers and voicing concerns about the increasing cost of motoring. The RAC’s annual Report on Motoring survey, now in its 25^th year, provides a clear insight into the concerns and issues facing today’s motorists.
For the very latest news on UK fuel prices visit our Fuel Prices Explained pages – www.rac.co.uk/advice/fuel-prices-explained. Here we detail the average UK price of petrol and diesel and give an indication of which way prices are likely to go – up or down – over the next couple of weeks based on the wholesale price. You can also discover more about the fuel industry, what affects UK fuel prices, how they compare those in Europe, how motorists are taxed and top-tips for better fuel economy.
The RAC supports FairFuelUK campaigning for fairer taxes on petrol and diesel. Show support and find out more at www.fairfueluk.com.
Key facts:

• RAC patrols fix four out of five vehicles at the roadside and on average within 34 minutes
• RAC vans carry more than 500 parts and tools to get members’ vehicles going again
• 98% of members would recommend RAC Rescue to their friends and family

RAC press releases, news alerts and a wealth of motoring research is available from www.rac.co.uk/press-centre/.

Follow us on Twitter:

• www.twitter.com/RAC_Press
• www.twitter.com/RAC_Breakdown

Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/RAC