Anyone looking to visit the seaside this Bank Holiday weekend is being advised to be cautious about where they park.
The warning follows a recent study that showed almost 65,000 fines were issued last year in beachside car parks and surrounding areas.
While the Bank Holiday weekend weather forecast may not compete with the Mediterranean, the pleasant conditions might mean the UK’s beaches could see over 387,000 visitors.
The study revealed that 19 per cent of the 2,000 people surveyed said they would risk a fine to get a good parking spot, while nine per cent would illegally park in a quiet area and six per cent taking a chance if they’d travelled a long distance to get to the beach.
Jane Morgan, business manager at Churchill Car Insurance, said drivers should plan ahead to ensure they get a legal parking spot.
“Many people will have been disappointed to have plans cancelled or changed at the last minute this summer due to the pandemic, so with lockdown restrictions lifting and greater freedom on offer, people will be eager to take advantage of the many beautiful beaches closer to home.
“With limited parking spots available we would urge drivers to remain respectful of parking restrictions and to only park in allocated spaces. At busy times, it’s worth researching back up parking options in case a prime seafront spot isn’t available. In order to comply with social distancing measures, we would encourage people to consider less popular destinations as the well-known spots can get overcrowded.”
