Drivers urged to make 'substantial savings' of 'more than 80 per cent' on expensive parking costs
Drivers are being urged to shop around for massive parking savings
PA
Some drivers could save as much as 84 per cent on their parking costs this summer as millions look to travel around the country on holiday.
Data suggests that cash-strapped councils have hiked hourly, daytime parking costs across the UK by 11 per cent over the last two years.
Experts have instead called on motorists to book parking on rented driveways and retail parks in a bid to save money during the cost of living crisis.
In the sunny seaside town of Whitstable, Britons looking to staycation can expect to pay up to £24.30 for all-day parking at a traditional car park near the beachfront.
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Councils and private companies have hiked parking costs in recent years
PAHowever, if they were to book someone's driveway or a rented parking space through an app or website, they could spend as little as £4 - an 84 per cent saving.
The same can be said for the popular beach city of Brighton, where motorists face costs of £33.50 for a day's worth of parking near the famous pier, or just £7.63 through YourParkingSpace.
Savings are not just seen down south, however. Holidaymakers looking to spend time along the Golden Mile in Blackpool could save £10 per day when parking on a rented driveway.
The same can be said for the east of England, with traditional car parks in Great Yarmouth setting drivers back £8, or £3.45 elsewhere.
Brannan Coady, CEO at YourParkingSpace, urged motorists to always plan ahead and shop around to see if they can save money and have spare cash for the rest of their holiday.
He said: “This summer many families will be tempted to head to Britain’s popular seaside resorts.
"However, our research reveals that without proper planning, day-trippers could soon be staggered when they find out how much they will be charged for their parking.
“Nonetheless, by shopping around, motorists could find that substantial savings can be made by pre-booking their parking – which should go some way towards reducing outgoings on their day out.”
Any driver using public car parks could soon be given extra allowances with the newly published Private Parking Sector Single Code of Practice.
The Code, which was developed by The BPA (British Parking Association) and the IPC (International Parking Community), will aim to deliver transparency and consistency for motorists.
As part of the new rules, an Appeals Charter will be launched in a bid to create clear parameters for motorists to challenge a parking charge.
A 10-minute grace period will be introduced to stop overzealous parking operators from targeting drivers with heavy fines for the sake of a few minutes after their ticket expires.
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The new parking rules will give drivers a 10-minute grace period
GETTYWhile the Code has been published, private parking operators will begin implementing the rules by October 1, 2024, with all existing sites needing to be updated by December 2026.
The published document was met with mixed reactions from the industry, with some supporting the measures for motorists, while others said it didn't go far enough.