Traders hit with £119m parking fines

The study reveals that four in five (81%) tradespeople say they struggle to park at least once a week while working on a job. And three-quarters (75%) report that they have to park far away from their job sites at least once a week.

Almost three in 10 (28%) trades people report that they have been clamped or towed while on the job. Worryingly, almost half (48%) have turned down jobs because they couldn’t park within sight of their job site, citing concerns about tool theft.

Trades people often struggle to unload and move heavy tools, equipment and supplies when they are unable to park close to where they are working. This is especially the case in urban areas where numerous parking and unloading restrictions apply.

Parking troubles are also taking a financial toll. On average, trades people pay £443 for parking out of their own pocket in a typical year and some spend as much as £6,000 a year on parking.

Depending on the severity of the parking contravention, penalty charge notices, or parking fines, can be anywhere between £50 to £130 outside London and up to £160 in the capital, but are normally halved if paid within 14 days.

Mark Summerville, product manager at Direct Line business insurance, said: “Parking or off-loading tools and equipment close to a job can often be a challenge for trades people, adding stress to their working day.

“To avoid unnecessary fines and disruptions, it’s worth checking local parking restrictions before starting a job. Where possible, always check with the customer about on-street parking restrictions in the area and request a guest or visitor permit if available. Taking these steps can help reduce the risk of unexpected costs and delays, allowing tradespeople to focus on getting the job done.”