Analysis of ten cities reveals stark cost difference in parking costs and parking suspension costs
New figures, obtained from the local councils of the ten biggest cities across England, analysed by climate charity Possible, have revealed the scale of difference between the cost to use street space for private vehicle parking and using it to benefit local communities by using it as social spaces with seating, community gardens or cycle parking.
Using an average of the weekly cost of a parking bay suspension and the weekly cost of a residential parking permit from all ten cities, Possible discovered that it was 115 times more expensive to suspend a parking bay (average cost of £158.06) than 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.
The other six cities, including the likes of London, Birmingham and Manchester charged more for parking permits but there were still considerable discrepancies between those costs and the cost of a parking bay suspension. Across these six cities, parking bay suspensions were between 33 and 353 times more expensive than a parking permit.
The figures reveal how cities in the UK prioritise the use of their public space - specifically, heavily incentivising the ownership of private vehicles that go unused for 95% of the time.
Possible is calling on councils to reevaluate the costs of parking permits to fully reflect the costs of car ownership borne by the rest of society through pollution, road danger and loss of space; and implement an affordable and easy process by which residents can reclaim public space in ways that bring communities together, reduce car dominance and help the climate.
Hirra Khan Adeogun, Head of Car Free Cities at climate charity 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.”
ENDS
Notes to editors:
For media enquiries and further information please contact press@wearepossible.org or 07806431577.
Hirra Khan Adeogun, Head of Car Free Cities at Possible, is available for comment. Please get in touch with alex.killeen@wearepossible.org for further information.
Possible is a UK-based charity that brings people together to take positive, practical action on climate change. Combining individual and local actions with larger systemic change, we connect people with each other, and communities with ways to address the climate crisis. wearepossible.org.