Climate activists have accused local authorities of allowing private vehicles to hold public space ‘hostage’ by charging much more for the suspension of parking spaces than for parking permits.
New figures, obtained from the councils of the 10 biggest cities across England, have revealed that it is 115 times more expensive to suspend a parking bay (average cost of £158.06) than it is to pay for a parking permit (average cost of £1.38).
Bradford, Leeds, and Nottingham had no weekly charge for a parking permit while parking bay suspension weekly costs were £70.00, £187.60, and £23.38. In Liverpool, the weekly cost of a parking permit is only £0.04 while it costs £193.00 for a weekly parking bay suspension.
In the other six cities, including London, Birmingham and Manchester, parking bay suspensions were between 33 and 353 times more expensive than a parking permit.
The climate charity Possible, which analysed the data, said that the figures reveal how cities in the UK heavily incentivise the ownership of private vehicles that go unused for 95% of the time.
Hirra Khan Adeogun, head of Car Free Cities at Possible, said: ‘We’re letting private cars hold our public space hostage. The fact that some cities aren’t even charging for parking just goes to show how local politicians are missing opportunities to break cities free from car dominance.
‘Most of the time private cars are going completely unused and taking up valuable public space. We need to shift to a better system; one that prioritises people over private vehicles, gives space for communities to thrive and makes them happier, healthier, and greener places to live.’
Cllr David Renard, Transport spokesperson for the Local Government Association (LGA), said: 'Councils have to manage competing demands when setting charges for on street parking and suspended bays and take into account local circumstances.
'Suspended bays provide very limited additional road space and are commonly used to help with building renovations and house removals. Councils are working hard to find other ways to encourage more walking and cycling in local communities, such as the introduction of low traffic neighbourhoods.'
