Rising parking costs across the UK have caused more than two-thirds of drivers to avoid high streets altogether, a shocking report has revealed.
The sharp increase in parking prices has raised concerns over the "death of the high street" which suffers from a lack of footfall across the nation.
A new report revealed that 42 per cent of parking costs in high streets, villages and town centres around the UK have risen significantly in the past year.
Over half of drivers (56 per cent) said they were more likely to visit a supermarket with free parking, while a further 52 per cent said the lack of free measures makes them more likely to go to out-of-town shopping centres with 44 per cent saying it drives them to shop more online.
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Research found that 56 per cent of drivers want free parking measure to shop local
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In total, the price of parking near local shops has varied with some regions like London seeing hourly rates start at £2.50on average while Northern Ireland has much cheaper rates at 90p.
To combat the price disparity, 82 per cent - or around 35 million UK drivers - would like to see councils save the high street by offering free parking.
On top of helping with parking costs, drivers have also raised concerns about the lack of parking availability and restrictions such as 30-minute maximum stays with almost two-thirds of drivers saying it puts them off shopping on high streets.
Mark Summerville, SME Product Manager at Direct Line Business Insurance, said: "Whilst councils are under increasing financial pressure and are keen to maximise their revenue, increasing parking charges may be a double-edged sword.
"It is clear that many people do want to support their local shops and businesses but are being put off by the cost of parking. Keeping charges down, or lowering them, could help revive high streets, encourage local businesses to stay open and create additional employment – all of which may also boost council revenues."
Across the UK, many local authorities have been removing free parking incentives further damaging the high street.
Most recently, Warrington Borough Council unveiled plans to scrap free parking across a selection of car parks to help close its budget gap of around £30million.
Speaking in January, Councillor Hans Mundry, said: "We know how important it is to residents, visitors and shoppers who use our car parks that charges remain competitive and affordable. We have kept this in mind throughout our review of our car parking charges."
Last year, Babergh District Council revealed it would have to remove its long-standing free parking scheme which offered drivers three hours of cost-free parking.
Despite backlash from residents, council leader Deborah Saw explained that the authority did not believe "high street success is defined by parking charges".
"It is decided by many factors, including what they offer residents and visitors – and we believe our towns offer a huge amount and are worth a modest parking fee to visit," she stated.
In Burnham-On-Sea, Somerset, 229 on-street parking bays are at risk of becoming chargeable after a 20-minute free period with a £1 hourly fee which could impact high street shopping culture even more.
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In the past year, more local councils have removed free parking measures due to budget cuts
GETTYThe report added that food shopping was the single biggest reason for visiting local shops (60 per cent) followed by visiting cafes and coffee shops which accounted for 44 per cent of visits.
