There is growing concern among motorists about both the cost and
availability of parking in the UK, according to the latest RAC
Report on Motoring.
Almost a fifth (18%) of the 1,714 motorists surveyed for the
report said the cost of parking is one of their top-four
concerns, a 50% increase compared with one in eight (12%) who
said this in 2015. And, fears about the availability of parking
have also increased, and by an even greater proportion, with one
in seven (14%) – a 75% increase on the 8% on 2015 – now saying
this is a top-four motoring concern.
Concern about the availability of parking is unsurprisingly
biggest in London where 20% say it is a significant issue.
Similarly, the cost of parking is also the greatest concern for
London’s motorists with 25% listing it as such, but outside the
capital it is a significant cause of worry for drivers in the
East Midlands (21%) closely followed by the West Midlands, the
East of England and Yorkshire where it was named as a concern by
20% of motorists surveyed.
Of those who leave their cars at home for short journeys and use
public transport instead, nearly a quarter (23%) said they have
done so because they can’t find affordable parking when they get
to their destination. This problem appears to be worst in the
North of England where nearly four in 10 (39%) cited it. Other
areas where motorists believe this to be the case include the
East of England (31%), Yorkshire (29%) and the South West (26%).
And, with cost being such a great concern it is perhaps no wonder
that a whopping 84% of motorists think they are an easy target
for local authorities to raise revenue through parking fines.
Interestingly, while the average annual mileage driven by
motorists in the RAC Report on Motoring 2016 has changed
relatively little in the last 12 months, the difficulty in
finding parking was cited as the most common reason for motorists
using their vehicles less. In fact a quarter (24%) of those who
use their cars less said this was a factor compared to only 14%
who gave the same reason 12 months ago.
RAC chief engineer David Bizley said: “Motorists are very clearly
more concerned about the availability and cost of parking than
they were 12 months ago. This is a worrying finding as struggling
to find somewhere to park and then having to pay through the nose
to do so could have a very negative effect both on individuals
who rely on their cars to go about their daily lives and on
businesses in our town and city centres whose viability affects
the prosperity of our high streets.
“We hope that the growing concern about the cost of parking is
not symptomatic of a blatant attempt by operators to generate
increased profits or by policymakers to force more people out of
their cars and onto expensive or inadequate public transport
instead – a case of using too much ‘stick’ and not enough
‘carrot’ when it comes to making motorists change behaviour.
“In fact, our research tells us that more than half of drivers
(54%) would drive less if public transport was better and 44% of
this group would use it more if the fares were not so high.
“Looking at a national level the Government has been slow to
respond to the Department for Communities and Local Government
discussion paper on tackling unfair parking practices. When they
do publish their views we will study them very closely to
understand the implications for motorists, but given that our
findings show that cost and availability of parking is an
increasing concern for motorists, the Government should make its
views known sooner rather than later.
“In the meantime we urge the Government and local authorities to
recognise the important role that parking fulfils in the health
of local high streets, on employment and on local communities and
to reflect this in both parking provision and the associated
legislative framework.”
Ends
Notes to Editors
* The RAC Report on Motoring 2016 is based on a large-scale
internet survey carried out by Quadrangle on behalf of the RAC.
In total, Quadrangle interviewed 1,714 British motorists (i.e.
those who hold a current driving licence and drive at least once
a month). The survey was conducted in May 2016, with the
questionnaire taking around 25 minutes to complete.
** www.confused.com/car-insurance/price-index/overall
About the 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.
This includes voicing concerns about the increasing cost of
motoring, particularly the price of fuel and the high level of
tax levied on it, advancing levels of road safety, and supporting
the needs of all drivers, from young to old.
The RAC’s annual Report on
Motoring – first published in 1989 – provides a
clear insight into the concerns and issues facing today’s
motorists.
