Report reveals Britain's parking problem

A report by the RAC Foundation has found the majority of the 28 million cars in Britain spend the majority of their lives stationary.

The increase in the number of cars being parked, and the subsequent squeeze on spaces, is due to the rise in vehicle ownership. In 1950, there were two million cars on Britain’s roads; last year there were 28.5 million, which is projected to increase to 32 million in the next 20 years.

The RAC Foundation report says that even where properties have garages, these are being used to store everything but cars, or have been converted into annexes. A third less cars are put away overnight than used to be, possibly because improved build quality means there’s less concern about them rusting. Cars are also much more secure – so much so, that thieves have resorted to attempting to steal the keys rather than break into the car directly.

Professor Stephen Glaister, director of the RAC Foundation, said: “Car ownership is set to keep on rising, but where are these vehicles going to go? Unless we want to see more streets clogged up and front gardens disappear, then councils need to address the matter. Ministers’ decision last year to remove the cap on parking spaces at new developments will help."

For more information
www.racfoundation.org/media-centre