Motorists driven mad by 'parking postcode lottery'

Published on Friday 18 February 2011 15:26

MOTORISTS in the Capital are forced to endure some of the most expensive parking charges in the UK, a new survey has found.

But more than half of those who appeal against parking tickets in the city are successful, according to a study by the consumer watchdog Which?

Edinburgh was named the third most expensive place to park in the country after London and Manchester.

Which? said drivers in the Capital were the victims of a "postcode lottery", highlighting charges of up to 2 an hour for on-street parking and 8.90 for four hours at the city's most expensive private car park in Castle Terrace.

The city council said the Capital fared badly because of the inclusion of private car park charges, over which it has no control.

The most expensive area in Britain to park is the London borough of Westminster, where one hour of on-street parking costs up to 4.40 and four hours in a car park can be a "sky-high" 18, according to Which?.

But in Bradford, on-street parking costs just 70p for an hour and in Coventry it's free.

Neil Greig, a spokesman for the Institute of Advanced Motorists, said the survey's findings would leave motorists in the Capital wondering what they were paying for.

He said: "Westminster you would expect to be way out in front because it's renowned for being expensive.

"But for Edinburgh's motorists the question is whether they are getting value for money and I would say the majority think not. They're not getting a fantastic service, or extra spaces or well looked-after roads.

"It's really up to the council to give value for money and show motorists they're getting something for being the third most expensive city in the UK".

The survey also found that 53 per cent of Edinburgh drivers who challenged their fine had it rescinded.

According to Which?, the "parking postcode lottery" is most evident when it comes to council-run car parks.

However, Edinburgh was the only city investigated not to offer any council-run car parks at all. Prices in its privately-run car parks are described as "high", at up to 2.50 for one hour's car parking or 8.90 for four hours.

A council spokesman said: "All off-street car parks are managed by private operators who, naturally, set their own prices."