Wokingham borough council has again said there is no ban on large vehicles in its car parks following a story that appeared on a national newspaper’s website last weekend.
The Daily Express said Wokingham was among a number of authorities that has “banned” large vehicles from using its car parks.
As reported by Wokingham Today in July 2024, a motoring magazine highlighted how some spaces in the town centre are too small for some vehicles.
Car parking spaces in Wokingham have been highlighted as being too small for some vehicles.
Media reports said that five councils have “banned” vehicles over five metres in length from using public car parks, including Wokingham.
Vehicles identified included the Mercedes S-Class, Range Rover, Tesla Model S.
Mark Tisshaw, editor of Autocar Business, said: ‘We know that cars are getting longer and wider, typically due to ever-stricter crash and safety legislation they must meet, and these figures show too few councils are adapting to this new reality.”
Since 2018, Autocar found that councils have issued more than 357,000 Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) for cars parked outside marked bays since 2018, raking in more than £8 million over this period.
Wokingham Today has also witnessed cars issued with PCNs for overhanging a parking space in a town centre car park.
In a statement to Wokingham Today this week, Cllr Adrian Betteridge, executive member for active travel, transport and highways, said: “Our car parks have restrictions to allow effective, safe and efficient use.
“All restrictions are displayed on signs within the car parks and should be adhered to by all users.
“If users don’t comply with restrictions they risk receiving a penalty charge notice”
