SOME interesting points relating to the inadequate size of public car parking spaces.

Subsequently this could lead to all local authorities increasing the size of parking spaces under their control.

The reader expressing his views points the blame at ‘Land Rover style’ vehicles causing most of the problems.

This is only partly correct. While most 4x4s are larger and wider than the average car, it is also a fact that most modern cars built within the last decade have also increased in size. Just compare a like-for-like make and model from this current decade to its earlier model from the 1970s/80s. On average, an increase of 15% is typical for most models not including door (wing) mirrors. Just two examples are the VW Golf and the Vauxhall Astra.

In the same four decades, 1970s – 1992, car parking spaces have only increased in size by a very small margin and from the early 1990s to the present time — no increase at all. Unfortunately, local authorities have chosen to ignore the fact that all our cars and vans have significantly larger dimensions. Over recent years however they have collected billions of pounds from car parking fees / parking fines. This revenue is suppose to pay for improving parking facilities but that is questionable.

In a recent motoring journal it stated that the government will be instructing all local authorities to increase dimensions to all public parking spaces which should be implemented by late 2017.

Hopefully most drivers should experience improvements in 2018, even those of us with average-size chariots!

Robert Searle, West Park, Appleshaw