I have just returned from a shopping trip and my pet hate of narrow parking spaces has been triggered.

I find that sometimes the width ( and sometimes depth) of parking spaces has been adjusted to fit a row in the space available.

I also am puzzled why (like my garage) the size seems to be based on the size of 1950s and 60s cars, which were about 13 foot long and 5 foot wide.
Well I can understand my garage as the house was built in the 60s and is set in concrete, but why do even new car parks have spaces which lots of modern cars do not fit.

I understand that the FL2 is wide to help stability, and has doors which have a bit of depth, but it only needs one car to park a bit skew-whiff and I can't use the space next to it.

----- Ah - I feel better !!! FL2 XS SD4 Auto 2010 2012-2017 (21k - 91k miles) (MY2011)
FL2 Metropolis SD4 Auto 2014 2017- (16k - 77k+ miles) (MY2015)
Metro in its 11th Year of (Extended) LR Warranty / Full LR Service History
(Expensive, but Trouble/Worry free - hopefully?)

All developments will have a specified allowance for parking numbers in respect of planning approval. While there are suggested bay size allocations they aren't set in stone so, if the planner needs a few more parking bays, he just squeezes up the ones he has to get more in.

The Freelander is fun, a Disco is even more entertaining. You can get in a bay and then can't get out of the vehicle.

Even bigger problem down under with everyone driving 5.1 metre or longer dual cabs! Procrastination, mankind's greatest labour saving device!

Acoustic insulation ARB TPMS 3xARB air compressors After cooler Air tank On-board OCD pressure air/water cleaning Additional 50L fuel Carpet in doors ABE 2x1kg Waeco 28L modified fridge Battery 4x26ah Solar 120w Victron MPPT 100/20 DC-DC 18amps 175amp jumper plug Awning 6x255/60R18

A council was chastised in the press for granting permission for 'New Development' house, which include garage'.

It was NOT possible to get, even the smallest of vehicles into the said garage !!

My sister has a Toyota Yaris hybrid, she had to (manually fold in BOTH door mirrors) to get it in her garage and then she can only just get out of the driver door !! Her house was built in the 70's.

Manufactures will tell you vehicles are on average 5-6 inches wider than much older vehicles, due to the door having re-enforcing bars and electric windows, which all adds to the overall width.

What with the advent of Mini, Maxi, and Mega SUVs ......... vehicles just got bigger.

.

Totally agree with the stupidity of modern houses with matchbox size garages which are only fit for storage, thankfully I have a very big garage which has loads of space for the freelander, it also has a pit, which sadly is of no use to me as I am not mechanical/handy at all.

Supermarkets are a nightmare, I usually park as far away as possible from the shop, 89% of people want to be as close to the door as possible, but even then I am infuriated when I have an empty row all to myself, I notice the next person wants to park right next to me

Parked at Kirkby Lonsdale a few months back, a free carpark next to whats called the Devils Bridge, when I got back to the car, a bigger than mine 4x4 had parked right next to my door, it was impossible to get in, made me mad, I had to climb through the passenger side which is difficult for an arthritic 62 year old  2017 SEAT Ateca 4drive 2.0 xcellence (May 2022 -
2007 HSE with HST bodykit in Zermatt Silver 169,700 miles (dec 2016 - May 2022 )
2007 Honda Civic Type S GT (2012-2017)
2002 Mini Cooper S (2008-2012)
1992 Honda Legend 3.2i (2003-2008)
1990 Honda Concerto (1999-2003)
1985 Honda Accord (1997-1999)
1983 Honda Accord (1993-1997)
1983 Mini Mayfair (1988-1993)
1974 Mini 1000 (1979-1986)

" I had to climb through the passenger side which is difficult for an arthritic 62 year old"

If you had been caesarean born and a little younger ..... you could have gain entry by the Sun Roof.

Northcroft wrote:

Supermarkets are a nightmare, I usually park as far away as possible from the shop, 89% of people want to be as close to the door as possible,

Lightwater wrote:

Even bigger problem down under with everyone driving 5.1 metre or longer dual cabs!

A few years ago I saw an original Austin 7 (1920/30's sit up and beg) parked in one of these 1960's sized spaces in a public car park. He'd managed to park it diagonally across the space, without even getting close to the white lines!

So, I guess this problem of cars forever getting bigger is nothing new

In "tight" car parks I often look for a slot where I can park in the opposite direction to the cars either side, ie. nearside to nearside close together & offside to offside with a little more space. Thus we both can open our drivers doors if not those of the passengers.

Bob 10MY (Sept 09) TD4 HSE Auto in Stornoway Grey (Now Gone)

08 FL2 TD4 SE Manual in Rimini Red (Now Gone)