National Parking Platform to launch - RAC comment

Platform allows drivers to choose to use one of six mobile parking payment apps, simplifying parking

21 May 2025

Following the news from the Government that the National Parking Platform is set to launch, RAC senior policy officer Rod Dennis said:

“Paying to park a car should be one of the simplest things any driver does, but things have got much more complicated in recent years - a point demonstrated by the fact there are so many different mobile parking apps. If the arrival of a National Parking Platform removes that hassle, it’s definitely a welcome move. But the key will be ensuring as many car park operators as possible sign up to the system. Ten local authorities taking part is a good start, but drivers wherever they are in the country should be allowed to use whatever mobile app they want.

“We also believe all councils should provide drivers with at least two methods for paying for parking – with one ideally being using a contactless bank card or mobile phone - for those who can’t use a mobile app, or choose not to."

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Government commits £24bn to road maintenance in 2025 Spending Review - RAC comment

In response to the Government's Spending Review, which commits £24bn of capital funding to road maintenance between 2026 - 2030, RAC head of policy Simon Williams said: “Giving councils the certainty of longer-term funding to fix their roads is something we’ve called for many years, so this is excellent news. Local authorities now have a golden opportunity to end the cycle of merely filling potholes and instead begin to be much more proactive in their maintenance. This must include both more surface dressing to keep decent roads in good condition and resurfacing those that are at the end of their lives. It’s incumbent on councils to grasp this new opportunity and show all road users how it’s making a genuine difference in the quality of the roads they use every day."