Drive across the beautiful Highlands, stopping at Harry Potter filming locations along the way
There are six magical locations to explore, including Glen Etive, Glenfinnan Viaduct, and Loch Morar
The Harry Potter road trip takes 7 hours 54 minutes to complete by car
As the fifth most popular filming location in Europe, Scotland has provided a beautiful backdrop for countless Hollywood blockbusters over the last few decades.
Harry Potter is perhaps the most famous and beloved of these film series to shoot scenes north of the English border, with stunning Highland scenery featuring across each of the eight exciting instalments.
And now fans of the franchise can visit its most iconic filming locations, as Macklin Motors has curated the ultimate road trip route of Scotland for Potterheads.
Taking 8 hours to complete by car, this road trip is perfect for Harry Potter fans who want to feel the magic of their favourite scenes, while taking in beautiful Scottish landscapes at the same time.
The journey starts in the astonishingly beautiful valley of Glen Etive, before driving just over half an hour to Rannoch Moor’s Insta-ready autumnal shades, both of which featured in the Deathly Hallows.
The next stop is Steall Falls, the second highest waterfall in Great Britain, a popular beauty spot that made an appearance in the adrenaline-pumping dragon chase scene in the Goblet of Fire.
Drive 40 minutes further and drivers will find the most iconic Harry Potter filming location in Scotland: Glenfinnan Viaduct. Potterheads will certainly recognise this stunning railway viaduct from the Chamber of Secrets’ unforgettable flying car sequence.
The penultimate stop on the road trip route is Loch Morar, which eagle-eyed fans will immediately recognise as Hogwarts Lake from the Prisoner of Azkaban. Then, a long drive across the Scottish Highlands will reveal the very last filming location on the map: Black Rock Gorge. This stoic cavern featured in the Goblet of Fire, taking centre stage during the Triwizard Tournament.
A Macklin Motors spokesperson commented:“Whether for a bank holiday weekend or a week in the Summer holidays, finding the perfect holiday destination for the entire family is always a tricky task.
“With our Harry Potter road trip, we want to provide the best of both worlds for kids and parents alike, touring beautiful Highland hotspots with a magical twist. Plus, at just under eight hours in total, drivers can complete this road trip in a day or take their time with it throughout their holiday in Scotland.
“So, pack the car with snacks, ready your family’s favourite playlist, and set off on a bewitching adventure around Scotland’s stunning scenery.”
The average cost in Scotland is now £435, following a £31 (8%) increase year-on-year, according to the Confused.com car insurance price index
According to the data, Central Scotland is the most expensive region, with motorists paying £477 for their car insurance, on average. This is an increase of £34 (8%) year-on-year.
Drivers in the Scottish Borders pay the cheapest price for car insurance, despite a £29 (9%) year-on-year increase. Drivers in this region can expect to pay £366, on average.
Further research shows that almost half (45%) of drivers who received a renewal quote last quarter saw a price increase of £41, on average. However, drivers who shopped around on a price comparison site saved £54, on average (1) .
Louise O’Shea, CEO at Confused.com urges drivers to shop around ahead of time and to consider opting for annual payments, which could save drivers as much as 10% on their car insurance(3)
How to save money on your car insurance: Confused. money on your car insurance: Confused.com expert tips aim to help drivers save more on their insurance as the cost of living rapidly increases.
Car insurance costs across the Scottish regions are at the highest in almost two years following the steepest increase in prices since before the COVID-19 pandemic (Q4 2020), new data reveals.
The average cost of car insurance in Scotland now stands at £435, on average, with drivers seeing an increase of £31 (8%) compared to this time last year. That’s according to the latest car insurance price index (Q2 2022) from Confused.com, powered by WTW. Based on six million quotes a quarter, it’s the most comprehensive car insurance price index in the UK.
However, some drivers could expect to pay more than the national average, depending on the region in which they live. The data shows that drivers in Central Scotland pay the highest prices for car insurance, with the cost now £477, following a £34 (8%) increase compared to this time last year. Despite an annual increase of £29 (9%), drivers living in the Scottish Borders pay the cheapest costs for their car insurance, with an average premium of £366.
Meanwhile, drivers in East and North East Scotland are now paying £399 for their car insurance, following a £27 (7%) increase year-on-year. And drivers in the Scottish Highland and Islands are paying a premium of £394, on average, following an increase of £30 (8%).
Region Average Premium YOY £ YOY %
Scottish Borders £ 366 £29 9%
Central Scotland £ 477 £34 8%
East & North East Scotland £ 399 £27 7%
Scottish Highlands & Islands £ 394 £30 8%
It’s a similar picture across the rest of the UK, where prices increased by £32 (6%) over the past 12 months to £554. This is the highest prices have been across the UK in almost 2 years.
The reports of steeper car insurance costs might come as bad news for Scottish motorists, which is why it’s never been so important to shop around for the best deals when it’s time to renew.
However, while prices are increasing for most drivers across the UK, further research by Confused.com shows that many loyal customers are still taking a bigger blow, having seen their renewal increase more than the price of a new policy, on average.
A survey of 2,000 UK drivers(1) found that almost half (45%) of those who received their renewal last quarter saw their price increase by £41, on average. This is despite 1 in 10 (10%) drivers who have renewed their car insurance since January 2022 believing that prices wouldn’t increase after Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)(2) changes earlier this year. However, while prices are increasing for new policies too, the data shows that drivers could still save money by shopping around and taking out a new policy.
In fact, those who shopped around after receiving a more expensive renewal price saved £54, on average, after using a price comparison website and switching insurers.
Louise O’Shea, CEO at Confused.com reminds drivers that the recent FCA changes do not always mean a cheaper or like-for-like renewal price, as any increase to the average UK car insurance costs will be reflected in renewal premiums. And it’s likely that prices will continue to increase as motorists spend more time on the road, meaning that likelihood of claims will increase too.
It’s evident from the latest data that increases have been seen across other regions too, with the UK average premium now £554 – that’s £32 (6%) more expensive than 12 months ago.
However, despite annual increases across all regions, some areas in Scotland have in fact benefitted from a decrease in costs over the last quarter. For instance, although there has been an annual increase of £59 (16%) in Shetland, the average cost for car insurance in the area has actually decreased by £19 (4%) since the last quarter. Drivers in Aberdeen have also seen the average premium cost decrease by £2, making their annual cost £397, on average.
But despite small wins for some, other areas continue to see increased car insurance costs. For drivers in Glasgow, the average cost for car insurance is £523. This is a £39 (8%) increase compared to this time last year and also currently makes Glasgow the most expensive area in the whole of Scotland.
While prices are on the increase, data shows that female drivers are still paying cheaper prices compared to males(4). For males aged 17-20 in Central Scotland, car insurance prices are the most expensive in comparison to all other Scottish regions.
These costs have increased by an eye-watering £110 (8%) in the last 12 months, on average. Female drivers in Central Scotland also saw a 6% increase year-on-year, but this equates to £59 in comparison. In the past 12 months, the total cost for drivers aged 17-20 in this region has increased to £1,479 for males and £1,140 for females.
With the cost of living crisis worsening and further household bill hikes expected later in the year, drivers need to be savvier than ever. And when it comes to their car insurance, drivers should be shopping around, as it’s one expense that could guarantee a saving.
An option for drivers to save money on their insurance is by choosing for annual payments. While monthly direct debits may be the most convenient option, paying upfront for an annual cost could save drivers an extra 10% when taking out a new policy(3).
With so much to consider when it comes to car insurance, it can be confusing for drivers to know which factors will produce the best savings. To help motorists understand where savings could be made, Confused.com has created 16 tips to get cheaper car insurance costs. And it could be as simple as making sure all of your details are correct when taking out insurance.
Louise O’Shea, CEO at Confused.com comments: “With millions stung by the current cost of living, it can be disheartening to see that car insurance prices are also on the rise. As the latest data shows, we’re seeing some of the highest spikes in prices since before the pandemic.
“With us all still adjusting to life after lockdown, it’s likely that this is due to the number of insurance claims being made increasing as we get back into some sort of routine. Unfortunately, this means that you might notice a price increase when renewing or shopping for your car insurance.
“While prices are increasing, we know that car insurance is one area where you can still save money, which will help to balance out price hikes in other areas. It’s clear from research that renewal prices are often more expensive, and it can be easy to accept a higher price if it doesn’t look too bad given the expectation that everything is increasing at the moment. But please don’t do this. You can pay less!
“The car insurance market is very competitive right now, which is the perfect time to be savvy and shop around for a better deal. Taking some time to research the best available options can really pay off. We know there’s an insurer out there who can offer you a better price, which is why we guarantee to beat your renewal(5). And if we can’t, we’ll give you the difference, plus £20. So, if anything, you will make money!”
Vauxhall Corsa is the UK’s best-selling new car in the first six months of 2022
More than 22,200 units sold in the first half of the year
All-electric Corsa-e is the UK’s best selling electric supermini, with 2,677 sold in the first six months
Vauxhall’s private car and van market share grew from 4.9% to 6.1% compared to the first six months of 2021
The award-winning Vauxhall Corsa is the UK’s best-selling new car for the first six months of the year, according to the latest new car registration figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
With 5,014 sold in June, and 22,212 in total for the first half of 2022, the Corsa is also the best-selling B-segment vehicle so far this year. The all-electric Corsa-e has been named the best-selling electric supermini for the first half of the year, with 2,677 registrations so far in 2022.
The performance of the Corsa range, alongside Vauxhall’s other new models including the new Mokka, helped the brand grow its private car market share from 4.7% to 5.8% compared to last year. In June, Vauxhall was the second-best-selling car manufacturer overall, with 9,966 registrations across all car models.
Paul Willcox, Managing Director, Vauxhall, said: “The Vauxhall Corsa was the UK’s best-selling car last year, and we’re on track for another stellar year. The first six months have been difficult for the whole industry, but Vauxhall remains a firm favourite with UK buyers.
“The second half of the year will see the roll-out of our All-New Astra and Astra Sports Tourer – two new models that showcase our new design language, innovative technologies, and our commitment to electrification.”
The Vauxhall Corsa is available with efficient petrol engines as well as with a fully electric powertrain. The Corsa-e is powered by a 50kWh battery and a 136PS (100kW) electric motor and is capable of up to 222 miles (WLTP test cycle) from a single charge. Capable of supporting up to 100kW rapid charging, an 80% charge takes just 30 minutes to complete.
The entire Vauxhall passenger car range can be ordered entirely online via the Vauxhall Online Store. The Vauxhall Online Store brings the brand’s showroom experience straight into the comfort of buyers’ homes.
Customers can arrange a live video viewing of their vehicle via the Vauxhall Virtual Showroom and proceed to the Online Store to configure their vehicle, personalise finance payments, and place an order, all from the comfort of their home.
The new 100% electric Nissan Ariya named Best Mid-Sized Company Car…
…“the newcomer goes straight to the top of the class” …
… and takes overall Auto Express Car of the Year title
“It mixes style and substance seamlessly, and is an advanced EV right for the modern era”
Spacious, lounge-like and modern, with a clear attachment to its Japanese DNA, Ariya offers a refined, comfortable, zero-emissions drive
The new Nissan Ariya has been named a double winner at this year’s Auto Express Awards, securing both the ‘Best Mid-Sized Company Car’ trophy and the coveted overall ‘Car of the Year’ title.
Now available for customers to order, with a fully electric range of up to 329 miles, the Ariya features Japanese-inspired design, a luxurious and spacious cabin and advanced technologies.
Andrew Humberstone, managing director at Nissan GB, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to receive this recognition for our incredible new 100% electric crossover and would like to thank the judges for this fantastic award.
“The Ariya perfectly encapsulates the design, tech and performance of our next generation EVs and will continue Nissan’s pioneering journey in electrification and support our route to carbon neutrality.”
Auto Express’ judges were keen to highlight the Ariya’s all-round talents and praised the car’s compelling blend of head-turning looks, premium appeal and composed driving dynamics, plus a range of well over 300 miles.
For business users too, it was judged that “the newcomer goes straight to the top of the class”.
Steve Fowler, Editor-in-Chief of Auto Express, added: “The Ariya is the most premium-feeling Nissan we’ve seen yet, but it backs this up with impressive technology, punchy performance and clever storage.
“It mixes style and substance seamlessly, and is an advanced EV right for the modern era, as many motorists seriously consider – with many making the switch – to all-electric motoring. It’s our Car of the Year 2022.”
Drawing on Nissan’s leadership in electrification and segment-defining crossover capabilities, the Nissan Ariya seamlessly delivers advanced driving capabilities and a premium EV experience.
The Met Office is issuing a ‘high’ pollen forecast for Scotland, south of Grampian and The Highlands, which could give hay fever sufferers more than watery eyes from today.
Scottish hay fever sufferers who are vulnerable to grass and nettle pollen and Cladosporium spores, which will increase in intensity during bright warm weather should take note, especially if they take medication to lessen symptoms.
The Met Office forecast has led to a warning from one of the country’s leading car insurance comparison websites, that many motorists are unaware of the fact that ‘driving under the influence’ could result in hefty fines and points on their licence. Some hay fever medications could see drivers committing this type of motoring offence without even realising it.
Insurance comparison website Quotezone.co.uk says the government legislation that bans driving while under the influence, does not distinguish between illicit drugs, prescription medication and over-the-counter medications. This means any type of drug that affects a motorist’s driving abilities could potentially result in a drug-driving conviction, even if it’s something as simple as hay fever medication that causes drowsiness.
One in four people in the UK has hay fever, that’s approximately 16 million people, according to the Natasha Allergy Research Foundation. Grass pollen is arguably the biggest cause of seasonal allergies, affecting approximately 90% of hay fever sufferers – with peak season from mid-May until July.
Scotland’s hay fever sufferers could consider the following advice before getting behind the wheel:
Five driving tips for hay fever sufferers
Check medication – antihistamines and hay fever medications can differ in strength, check with the doctor if in any doubt about possible side effects and always read the label – the warning, ‘do not operate heavy machinery’ is commonly found and applies to cars, forklifts and any other heavy machinery.
Plan journeys – check the Met Office Pollen warnings or download the weather app, which gives a 5-day forecast for high pollen counts.
Keep the car as pollen-free as possible – clean the car regularly to get rid of dust that could trigger symptoms before setting out, regularly change pollen filters in the car’s ventilation system and keep car windows closed during journeys.
Get stocked up – keep the car stocked with fresh tissues, hay fever medicine, a bottle of water, eye drops, anything used to ease the symptoms, should they strike unexpectedly.
Drive safely – better to err on the side of caution, giving lots of space to fellow road users and taking breaks if hay fever symptoms start. If drivers don’t feel well or the pollen count is high, play it safe and don’t make non-urgent journeys.
Greg Wilson, Founder of Quotezone.co.uk, comments: “A lot of people aren’t sure exactly when the hay fever season starts, it actually runs for seven months of the year – March to September – depending on the type of pollen people are allergic to, so it can catch drivers off guard.
“Most people assume that the term ‘drug-driving’ refers to driving while under the influence of illicit narcotics, but the truth is that driving after taking any type of drug, could result in a motoring conviction if the motorist’s driving abilities are impaired.
“While some hay fever medications are non-drowsy, some types do cause drowsiness, and some prescription hay fever tablets in particular carry a ‘do not operate heavy machinery’ warning. If a driver fails to obey this warning and gets behind the wheel, they could risk a hefty fine of up to £5,000, points on their licence and endanger themselves and other road users.”
Male motorists are clocking-up more than twice as many penalty points as their female counterparts, according to new data from the Department for Transport (DfT).
Male drivers racking up three penalty points on their licences currently total 1,343,700, compared to 606,700 for female drivers, as of the 5 February this year.
The number of male drivers with six points is 395,000, whereas with female motorists the figure is 120,600.
Greg Wilson, Founder of Quotezone.co.uk, a leading insurance comparison website, comments: “The data suggests that women are the more cautious drivers – racking up less penalty points. However, the differences are stark to say the least and concerning.”
Greg Wilson warns that law breaking motorists will feel the effect: “At a time when all of us are looking to tighten our belts, penalty points can really hit motorists in the pocket. In addition to legal fines that accompany the points, offending motorists’ insurance companies will reassess how they see their risk and in turn premium.
“Three points can raise insurance premiums by 5%, but can rachet up fees by as much as 25% if a motorist has six points on a licence. Remember, penalty points stay on a licence for four years and the corresponding rise in insurance fees may do so as well.”
The data further shows that 1,120 women and 6,100 men have 12 points on their licences, which leads to an automatic ban – called a TT99. If a driver is disqualified from driving under this ‘totting up’ system, they will have had a TT99 conviction code added to their driving record, which means they’ll likely have to pay considerably more for their ‘TT99 insurance’ after the period of disqualification ends.
Greg Wilson continues: “Motorists who can prove exceptional circumstances in court may be allowed to continue driving, but the courts are far from pushovers and the judge has the power to award the maximum fine and determine the length of the ban – over 56 days means the driver has to reapply for the license and maybe even retest.”
Insurance providers are prohibited from using gender as part of their risk analysis calculation, as per The Equality Act established in 2010. They use other factors such as the level of no claims bonus secured, age, postcode, vehicle specifications and of course, number of penalty points incurred, to help determine the most appropriate premium price per customer.
Motorists who want to reduce the effect of penalty points might try the following to keep their premiums as low as possible:
Sign-up to a telematics product recognised by their insurance firm, which allows them to showcase their new safer driving behaviour
There are specialist insurance policies for drivers with penalty points that can help – shop around on comparison websites for specialist driver policies
‘Citroën and You’ friends and family programme extended further to include NHS employees, Teachers and Emergency Services personnel.
Programme enables eligible customers to save up to an additional £1,200* on a brand-new Citroën car.
‘Citroën and You‘ programme is available exclusively online through the Citroën Store.
Citroën UK is showing its appreciation for the incredible work of the NHS, Teachers and Emergency Services across the UK in recent years by extending its ‘Citroën and You’ programme.
The programme, previously reserved for friends and family of Citroën employees, welcomes NHS, Teachers and Emergency Services personnel into the Citroën family and allows users to save up to an additional £1,200* on a brand-new Citroën car.
‘Citroën and You’ is available to NHS employees, Teachers and Emergency Services personnel as a fully online experience via the Citroën store. Eligible users wishing to take advantage of the ‘Citroën and You’ programme can review current offers online, configure and personalise their car, place it in their shopping basket prior to checkout and access a discount with a personalised promotional code before completing the order.
The initiative launches this week with dedicated pages already live on the Citroën UK website. The offers extend across the Citroën passenger car range†, including C4 and ë-C4 Electric, New C5 Aircross and C3 Aircross SUV.
Last month, Citroën UK celebrated Sign Language Week (14 to 22 March) by extending the ‘Citroën and You’ programme to welcome British Sign Language (BSL) users. Citroën has pledged to become more accessible to the UK’s more than 150,000 strong deaf community. Last year, Citroën partnered with SignLive to become the first car manufacturer to introduce its online video interpreting service for deaf and hard of hearing customers across its entire UK retailer network.
Eurig Druce, Citroën’s UK Managing Director, said: “Over the past two years we have seen the remarkable work the NHS, Teachers and Emergency Services have provided across the UK in the face of a global pandemic.
“To show our appreciation for the work they have done and continue to do for us all, I am proud to extend ‘Citroën and You’ to all NHS employees, Teachers and Emergency Services personnel so they can save on a great new Citroën vehicle.”
‘Citroën and You’ friends and family programme is exclusively available via the online Citroën Store, which allows customers to configure their vehicle, select the finance package that best suits their needs and order their new vehicle from the comfort of their own home.
*Current offer available at time of announcement. Subject to change in the future.
Ford Focus is second most popular, followed by Vauxhall Corsa in third
The top four car models make up 15% of cars on the road
The Ford Fiesta is the most owned car model in the UK, new research has revealed.
The study by car insurance experts CarInsurance.ae analysed government data of the car models in the UK and the number of registered vehicles for each model to show the most popular in the country.
Analysis of the data revealed that the Ford Fiesta is Britain’s most owned car model, with 1,521,680 being registered. The most popular specification of the Ford Fiesta is the Ford Fiesta Zetec, 386,882 cars.
Another Ford to appear on the list, the Ford Focus, comes in at second, where more than 1,100,000 cars are on the road. Among the many specifications available for the Ford Focus, the most common is the Ford Focus Zetec, with just below 75,000 models.
Vauxhall Corsa ranks third on the list of popular car models in the UK, with 1,053,949 owned throughout the country. The most prevalent version with 58,472 registered is the Vauxhall Corsa SE.
Coming in at fourth on the list is the Volkswagen Golf, which saw 1,040,051 versions of the German car being registered in the UK. The most owned version of the hatchback is the Volkswagen Golf GT TDI which has a 2-litre diesel engine, with 37,576 vehicles on the road.
Vauxhall Astra is the fifth most popular car model in the UK, as the small family car has more than 829,000 around the country.
10 Most Popular Car Models in the UK, CarInsurance.ae
Rank
Model
Number of Model
1
Ford Fiesta
1,521,680
2
Ford Focus
1,179,024
3
Vauxhall Corsa
1,053,949
4
Volkswagen Golf
1,040,051
5
Vauxhall Astra
829,198
6
Volkswagen Polo
676,350
7
Nissan Qashqai
555,342
8
Toyota Yaris
488,589
9
Audi A3
428,223
10
Renault Clio
407,147
The second Volkswagen hatchback, the Volkswagen Polo, comes in at sixth. The car model has 676,350 versions owned by the British public.
The only non-hatchback car model to appear on the list, the Nissan Qashqai, places in at seventh. The crossover has more than 555,000 registered in the country.
Toyota Yaris comes in at the eighth spot on the list, with 488,589 models being owned. Audi A3 appears at ninth, with 428,223 versions on British roads. The French hatchback, Renault Clio, finishes off the top ten with 407,147 models registered in the UK.
A spokesperson for CarInsurance.ae commented on the study: “It is fascinating to see which car models the UK favours out of the hundreds available.
“The data shows that the Ford Fiesta is the most popular car in the UK, and is one of nine hatchbacks in the top ten, showing how popular small cars are throughout the country. In fact, the Ford Fiesta is so popular that there are more Fiestas on the road in the UK than there are every type of Peugeot.”
10 Most Popular Car Makes in the UK, CarInsurance.ae
Rank
Make
Number of Make
1
Ford
4,138,817
2
Vauxhall
3,156,726
3
Volkswagen
2,857,784
4
BMW
1,940,108
5
Audi
1,786,402
6
Mercedes
1,635,132
7
Toyota
1,566,813
8
Nissan
1,557,420
9
Peugeot
1,387,361
10
Honda
1,029,659
The analysis was conducted by CarInsurance.ae, which is dedicated to helping drivers save time and money while picking car insurance in UAE.
Science-based technology company 3M urges local authorities to address concerns felt by drivers, cyclists and pedestrians
Roads, transport and parking should be the number one agenda item for local authorities in 2022, according to almost half of residents living in Scotland (47%).
The new research from science-based technology company, 3M reveals that within the region, this is the area most in need of attention alongside housing (47%) and followed by jobs, business and investment (41%), and education (35%).
After more time spent working, travelling and exercising close to home in the past two years, 80% of people in Britain believe the pandemic has highlighted the need for vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians to be able to co-exist. However, there are specific factors preventing these groups from doing so in harmony.
Accessibility for cyclists in Scotland
It is estimated that one in five Brits now cycle in a typical week. However, in Scotland nearly a quarter of those who already cycle (23%) say that despite having access to cycle lanes where they live, they still wouldn’t feel safe enough to travel on a bike during peak times.
74% of this group don’t believe the right infrastructure is in place to allow them to ride safely and 62% say that their local authorities could do more to make the area more accessible to cyclists.
Drivers vs cyclists – the perception gap
The research has brought prevalent safety concerns and the contrasting opinions of road users to the fore, particularly when it comes to motorists and cyclists. Seven in 10 (70%) cyclists worry that drivers don’t know the correct etiquette when using roads with cycle lanes in their area.
Meanwhile, only 53% of drivers confidently say that they know the latest Highway Code rules in relation to cyclists, which at the time of the study had not been updated since 2015.
Outside of lane usage, overtaking is a bone of contention for motorists and cyclists alike; 93% of drivers say they leave as much room when overtaking a cyclist as they would a car whereas 73% of cyclists say drivers pass too closely.
In Scotland, one thing both parties do agree on is there not being clear enough road markings on cycle lanes for all road users – only 27% of motorists and 25% of cyclists feel there are clear visible markings in their area.
The lack of visual guidance could be part of the problem when it comes to navigating shared road spaces, easily improved by solutions such as better signage that incorporates retroreflective technology, while also improving education on the Highway Code.
Andy Fish, Technical Specialist for 3M Transportation Safety Division, said:“Its fantastic that investment in new cycle lanes, walkways and other infrastructure is being put to good use.
“This research shows that irrespective of mode of transport, the majority of people want to be able to share spaces with others safely, and they are looking to their local authorities for support.
“At 3M we are actively encouraging local councils and highway authorities in Scotland to participate in a pilot scheme that would allow their communities to benefit from traffic safety solutions designed to address some of the concerns expressed by drivers, cyclists and pedestrians.”
Drivers’ admitted lack of understanding of the Highway Code could be to blame for some of the frustrations they have towards cyclists – 86% say seeing two or more ride side-by-side is frustrating and 72% say they become frustrated simply by driving behind one.
This is in spite of it being legal for two cyclists to ride next to each other unless on narrow or busy roads or cycling round bends, along with recent rule changes including cyclists riding alone being instructed to use the centre of the lane in slower moving traffic.
To find out more about 3M’s leading road marking and signage solutions, such as 3M Diamond Grade DG3 reflective sheeting. and 3M Stamark road marking tape, visit www.3m.co.uk.
A new package of measures will protect millions of drivers from unfair and extortionate charges, with a new Code of Practice to help keep cowboy private parking firms in check.
Code of Practice launched to crackdown on cowboy private car parking firms
Fines cut by up to 50% in most areas across England, Wales and Scotland
New Appeals Charter will eliminate fines for motorists who make genuine errors or have mitigating circumstances
Additional rip-off debt collection fees banned
Rogue operators who do not follow the Code could be banned from accessing Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) data
Millions of motorists are set to benefit from a major government crackdown on rogue parking firms which will see fines slashed and a clearer and fairer appeals system created.
A new package of measures announced today (7 February 2022) will protect drivers from unfair and extortionate charges, with a new Code of Practice to help keep cowboy private parking firms in check.
The government’s Parking Code of Practice will see parking fines cut by up to 50% in the majority of cases, saving motorists millions of pounds each year.
The proposals include a maximum cap for parking fines, a 10-minute grace period before a late fine can be issued, and a requirement for parking firms to clearly display pricing and terms and conditions.
In England outside of London and in Wales, charges will be reduced from £100 to £70 or £50, depending on the seriousness of the breach.
Private firms which breach the new Code could even be barred from collecting fines from motorists at all.
Currently, private parking firms are able to hide behind non-specific, pseudo-legal and aggressive language when pursuing motorists. The Code of Practice will provide new higher standards.
Rogue firms which break these rules could be barred from requesting Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) data, making them unable to pursue motorists for their charges through the post.
A new, simpler appeals process is also being created, to make it easier for disputed fines to be cancelled.
The measures will be a major boost to millions of motorists in England, Scotland and Wales and will help to draw people back to their local high streets by eliminating the fear of being unfairly caught out.
Minister for Levelling Up, Neil O‘Brien MP said:“Private firms issue roughly 22,000 parking tickets every day, often adopting a system of misleading and confusing signage, aggressive debt collection and unreasonable fees designed to extort money from motorists.
“The new Code of Practice will set out a clear vision with the interests of safe motorists at its heart, while cracking down on the worst offenders who put other people in danger and hinder our emergency services from carrying out their duties.”
RAC head of roads policy Nicholas Lyes said:“The RAC has campaigned for years to end the sharp practices in the private parking sector, so we welcome the new national code that will usher in higher standards and will introduce a lower cap on penalty charge notices, an independent appeals system and an end to rip-off debt collection fees.
“This will undoubtedly make drivers’ experience of using private car parks fairer while at the same time force rogue operators to clean up their acts once and for all.”
Edmund King, AA president, said:“These much needed upgrades to private parking rules will give better protection to drivers. For too long, those caught by private parking firms simply pay the charge to get rid of it. Thankfully these days are numbered.
“Drivers should feel confident that having a single Code of Practice and a new Appeals Charter will give them confidence to appeal and be properly heard. We are also pleased that honest mistakes, like mistyping the car registration into the machine, will now be automatically cancelled.”
Sir Greg Knight MP, who took the Parking (Code of Practice) Act through Parliament as a Private Members Bill said:“Some car park providers are honest and fair but a number of unscrupulous rogues have undermined the sector with bad practice.
“I warmly welcome the government’s action which will prevent motorists being unjustly treated in future and will make parking a vehicle a fairer experience for all.
“Action is needed because many dodgy operators are still engaging in unacceptable practices whilst using a threatening and intimidating process to fleece motorists.”
Fresh measures proposed in the new Code and Framework include the creation of a mandatory single Appeals Service and Appeals Charter for motorists to turn to if they are unfairly fined.
Under options set out in the Appeals Charter, motorists could be able to appeal their fine and see it cancelled entirely if:
they have a mitigating reason for overstaying their parking ticket such as their vehicle breaking down
they have made a genuine innocent error, like keying in a digit in their number plate incorrectly
they have a valid ticket, permit or Blue Badge but failed to display it correctly
The Code also states:
New parking charge levels which will mirror the local authority system for publicly accessible car parks, halving parking charges for millions of motorists to £50. It will keep the current £100 cap in some circumstances such as abusing Blue Badge bays or if a motorist is trespassing on private land.
Motorists will be offered a 50% discount if they pay within 14 days.
Parking debt collectors will be banned from adding additional excess fees to the level of the parking charge, currently as much as £70.
A compulsory 10-minute grace periods before firms can issue a late fine.
A compulsory 5-minute cooling-off period in which a motorist can consider the terms and conditions and change their mind about parking.
A crackdown on parking firms using aggressive or pseudo-legal language to intimidate motorists into paying fines.
A requirement for parking firms to clearly display pricing and terms and conditions of parking, contact details and how to appeal a charge.
The Parking (Code of Practice) Act became law in March 2019 and builds on action the government has already taken to tackle rogue private parking firms, including banning wheel clamping and towing and stopping over-zealous parking enforcement by councils.
