Parking spaces ‘too small’ for modern cars

Motorists who struggle to park their car may finally have a genuine excuse, other than just plain old bad driving.

That is if the results of an RAC survey are to be believed.

For, according to two thirds of the motorists questioned by RAC, parking spaces are simply too small for modern cars.

The survey also found that four in five drivers are disgruntled by increasing parking fees in towns and cities.

Most of those questioned also bemoaned a lack of parking close to towns and city centres and the rise of ever more stringent parking restrictions.

A quarter (24%) of the 1,526 motorists surveyed said they believed traffic wardens to be more active in their area.

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.''

But the Local Government Association told the press that the report was not a true reflection of “the reality of parking in our communities”.

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