Motorists demand limit on car parking charges, says poll

Nine out of 10 motorists want to see a limit put on car parking charges, according to a Motorpoint poll.

A new web-based poll by the UK car supermarket found 93% of drivers wanted action to be taken after it was revealed that councils across England made almost £600m from on and off-street car parking during 2012-13.

According to the RAC Foundation, drivers in London are paying the most for the privilege of parking their car with Westminster Council making £39.7m from car parking charges and fines.

Outside of the capital, the highest earners were Brighton at £16.25m and Nottingham at £11.79m.

Overall, 85% of local parking authorities in England made a profit from car parking charges in the last financial year even though Communities Secretary Eric Pickles announced plans to target “aggressive” and “over-zealous” parking policies.

Mark Carpenter (pictured), managing director of Motorpoint, said: “It is quite clear from the results of our poll that motorists have had enough of the continual inflation-busting rises in car parking charges and action needs to be taken at all levels to end what is rapidly becoming a modern form of highway robbery.”