Motorists with large vehicles will need to think twice before using certain public car parks. Five councils have now imposed length restrictions - with most setting a limit at five metres, which is shorter than a Land Rover Defender 130s and Mercedes-Benz S-Class.
That means those with cars that exceed the limit, such as Audi A8, are banned. The restrictions have been introduced by authorities in Wokingham, South Hams, Broadland and South Norfolk, and West Devon.
Although cars have grown an average of 1cm in width every two years, more than 90 per cent of councils have stated they have no plans to increase the size of their parking bays. It comes after a Freedom of Information request was sent to all UK councils by automotive publication Autocar, asking if there were plans to expand spaces to accommodate larger vehicles.
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In total, 91.8 per cent of the 287 authorities that responded to Autocar's request revealed there were no plans to increase the size of their council-run car parking spaces, MailOnline reports. 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.
"The fact it's almost impossible to find the parking restrictions online with drivers often forced to read the small print on physical signage at the location to understand the precise rules only adds to the difficulties faced by motorists."
Mike Hawes, chief executive at the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, which represents car makers in Britain, has defended the increasing size of the latest vehicles. He said: "Modern cars are packed with advanced safety technology that protects passengers and other road users, from airbags to crumple zones, all of which contribute to vehicles being larger than before.
"Cars also increasingly accommodate electric batteries and motors rather than just engines which can affect size and shape. Ultimately, however, it is consumers that influence vehicle design with manufacturers responding to market tastes and preferences and ensuring that all cars irrespective of size and body type meet relevant regulations."
