The lack of sufficient Gatwick Airport parking spaces is having serious consequences for customers finding themselves desperate for a car parking service and willing to pay for rogue ‘meet and greet’ firms. Today The Mirror has reported on the discovery of 1000 cars in a muddy field close to Gatwick Airport with their keys on display, and a local airport parking firm has said that this is ‘not an isolated incident’.
Gatwick Airport Parking Crisis
Gatwick Airport Chief Exec Howard Dove has stated “To cater for Gatwick’s unprecedented growth in passenger numbers, at least 6000 new parking spaces are needed – now.”
“Unauthorised parking has increased significantly, yet there are no plans in the pipeline to create more spaces, despite the fast rate of increasing customers at the airport.”
Many passengers feel they have no choice but to park their cars before they fly and find themselves forced to use less than reputable firms. However, this is now having costly consequences for owners who are victims of this illegal dumping.
More Spaces Planned?
Dove states that they have already put forward a proposal for an extra 3000 spaces, a move that will help car parking at Gatwick Airport in the short term, but Crawley Council currently has no plans to improve Gatwick Airport parking provision right now. Dove has argued that Gatwick Airport parking is a necessity not a luxury, and with the consequences of a lack of sufficient parking now coming the fore, action must be taken sooner rather than later.
What Passengers Can Do
Although rogue firms are clearly a risk to vulnerable passengers looking for a solution to their Gatwick Airport parking woes, there are ways that travellers can ensure they receive a reliable service. Booking as far in advance as possible is the best way to organise your car parking at Gatwick Airport, but it’s also important to book your Gatwick Airport parking with a reputable provider. Passengers should make sure they can see where their car will be parked if at all possible, and if they’re worried about a potential parking service, they should do some research online to check its reputation.
Although it is possible to get cheap Gatwick Airport parking when you book in advance with a reputable parking provider, the worry issue of a lack of Gatwick Airport parking provision can only get worse if nothing is done to cater for the increasing number of passengers passing through this important south east transport hub.