Recent changes in the Gatwick parking tariffs have caused Motorcyclists to be concerned and confused, for years motorcyclists have benefited from free parking at Gatwick. Gatwick airport have angered motorcyclists as they have imposed charges for all motorcyclists at the same rate as for cars!!
The NCP short stay car park at Gatwick is at the center of the controversy Gatwick made the their decision to impose parking charges for Motorcyclists due to abuses by some motorcyclists parking in the car bays instead of the designated motorcyclist areas.
The new Gatwick parking changes that came into effect on the 1st August angered many motorcyclists as they included the parking of motorcyclists for the first time for years. For many years Gatwick has offered free parking to cyclists in the short stay car park but following incidents where motorbikes had been parked in car bays they made the decision to start charging them as they charge for cars.
The British Motorcyclists Foundation complained and fought hard to get the airport to reverse their decision and they have managed to gain a temporary victory as Gatwick have relented and decided to offer free parking for motorcyclists as a temporary measure but will review the situation again and may re-impose parking charges to motor cyclists once again.
There was some confusion when Gatwick issued the latest parking tariffs in the summer. The parking manager for Gatwick said that they were bringing their parking charges in line with what other airports around the country are charging but this was found to be untrue and was in fact a unilateral decision by the Gatwick parking manager.
There were several different reasons why the British Motorcyclists Federation and Motorcycle parking were so upset with the Gatwick parking changes. Firstly, they felt that given the current environmental debate, that Gatwick should be more supportive of environmentally friendly ways of travelling. They say that a motorcycle is a greener way to travel and to charge the same for a motorcycle as for a car was going to change travel patterns and more will take the car if they are going to be charged the same anyway.
Secondly, they didn’t feel that the changes were not handled well and claim that they first anyone knew about it was when motorcyclists were told to pay on the exit. With hindsight everyone feels that the situation could have been handled better and that some notice should had been given.
Gatwick have confirmed that parking for cyclists will be free until the situation has been reviewed after the summer and as we enter the winter travelling period it will be interesting to see what transpires.