UK councils have increased the cost of residents' parking permits by an average of 51 per cent since 2011, according to recent research.
A survey by the car insurance firm Esure also found that more than half of local authorities (54 per cent) have expanded the number of parking zones which require payment in the past two years.
The study, which was put together following Freedom of Information requests from Esure, also revealed the average cost of an annual permit is £64. However, some motorists pay more than 10 times that amount in certain areas.
£785 parking permit uncovered
Birmingham City Council was found to have some permits costing £785 – the most expensive in the country. This was followed by Manchester City Council (£750), City of Edinburgh Council (£600) and London Borough of Islington (£545).
Figures released by councils in response to Esure’s study show they received more than £44 million from residential permits in 2014/15.
The chief underwriting officer at Esure, Jon Wilshire, said: “Some motorists are paying hundreds of pounds simply to park their car near their home.
“And to make things worse even with a residential parking permit many drivers still find it difficult to find a parking space.
“Over the past two decades the number of vehicles on the road in Britain increased by 10 million but the space available for parking in residential areas has not increased.”
The Local Government Association (LGA) said that councils “are on the side of motorists” but acknowledge that the recent survey “highlights the difficulties they face in balancing the requirements of commuters and residents.”
