We'd like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum. This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are - or become - political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.
We're aware that dates on the Forum are not currently showing correctly. Please bear with us while we get this fixed, and see Site feedback for updates.

Airport Parking - anti-competitive practices ?

I've been trawling the internet to find the cheapest parking at Stansted for a week and am baffled as to why the cheapest is £52 when the cheapest for a week at Manchester is £16 and Birningham is £20 ? Not a London pricing issue as Heathrow is £42 whilst Gatwick is £37...

it's odd because there are plenty of carparks near Stansted, yet none better this £52 price. Surely if market forces are at play a company would step into the £30-40 range ?

I read one forum comment that you can get a better deal with local farms, but they couldn't say which as they'd get into trouble. On the assumption we're not talking a local protection racket, does this imply such services need to be licenced by the local authorities ? If so, are they guilty of not making conditions for healthy competition ?

Comments

  • dzug
    dzug Posts: 2,260 Forumite
    There are NOT plenty of car parks near Stansted. Effectively there is just one, which is split over 3 locations - short term (by the terminal), mid term (half way out) and long term (on the periphery). All owned and controlled by BAA, like the airport itself.

    Organised car parks require planning permission. The local authorities are not willing to grant it in the Stansted area. They hate the airport anyway and take the view there is enough parking, which (price apart) is probably true. It's not part of their remit to promote competition.
  • Strapped
    Strapped Posts: 8,158 Forumite
    dillydilly wrote: »
    I've been trawling the internet to find the cheapest parking at Stansted for a week and am baffled as to why the cheapest is £52 when the cheapest for a week at Manchester is £16 and Birningham is £20 ? Not a London pricing issue as Heathrow is £42 whilst Gatwick is £37...

    it's odd because there are plenty of carparks near Stansted, yet none better this £52 price. Surely if market forces are at play a company would step into the £30-40 range ?

    I read one forum comment that you can get a better deal with local farms, but they couldn't say which as they'd get into trouble. On the assumption we're not talking a local protection racket, does this imply such services need to be licenced by the local authorities ? If so, are they guilty of not making conditions for healthy competition ?

    Yes. It is hard to get planning when the authorities consider that there is already sufficient provision. Also, they have (central government set) targets to encourage alternative transport use and decrease car travel. (Hence why, at Gatwick, for example, where there is a shortage of parking in the peak months, it's still hard to get permission for temp car parks).
    They deem him their worst enemy who tells them the truth. -- Plato
  • dzug wrote: »
    There are NOT plenty of car parks near Stansted. .

    I suppose my comment was based on the 4-5 options which come back from the various parking websites out there. Thanks for comments, that would explain it
  • dzug
    dzug Posts: 2,260 Forumite
    dillydilly wrote: »
    I suppose my comment was based on the 4-5 options which come back from the various parking websites out there. Thanks for comments, that would explain it

    Exactly. They are all quoting for the same car park.
  • stoneman
    stoneman Posts: 4,547 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    We parked our car at woodland lodge who also offer a meet and greet service. The guy there said that lots of people park their cars in nearby villages and get a taxi to the airport, also the local football club and school used to run unofficial parking, but don't know if they still do
    The common law of business balance prohibits paying a little and getting a lot. If you deal with the lowest bidder, it is well to add something for the risk you run, and if you do that you will have enough to pay for something better.
This discussion has been closed.
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 348.4K Banking & Borrowing
  • 252.1K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 452.4K Spending & Discounts
  • 241K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 617.3K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 175.7K Life & Family
  • 254.2K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16K Discuss & Feedback
  • 15.1K Coronavirus Support Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.