Research reveals hike in cost of parking permits

Councils have increased the cost of a residential parking permit by an average of 51% since 2011, according to new research.

The figures, published by esure Car Insurance, show that 37% of councils have increased the cost of residential parking since 2011, with 54% expanding the number of paid for parking zones in their area.

The investigation also uncovered wide variations in the cost of parking permits, with residents in Manchester and Birmingham paying 12 times the national average.

Jon Wilshire, chief underwriting officer at esure, said: ‘Parking is a costly bone of contention for most drivers. With the cost and number of paid for zones on the rise 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…