Belfast could lose almost 1,500 parking spaces to accommodate the growing popularity of larger cars, new research has suggested.
It comes after the Institution of Structural Engineers issued new guidance, which recommends that standard parking space dimensions should be significantly expanded.
The proposed increase in standard parking dimensions from 2.4m by 4.8m to 2.6m by 5.0m reflects the evolution in car sizes over the last 50 years.
But it will mean that existing car parks will be required to undergo modifications.
Research carried out by insurance company, Adrian Flux, has calculated how this will impact the number of car parking spaces in UK cities, compiling a top 10 list of the number of spaces that will be lost.
It suggests that Belfast could potentially lose approximately 1,436 parking spaces from the existing 12,616 spaces, if car parks were modified following the suggestion.
London tops the list of cities with the most spaces to be lost (12,281), followed by Glasgow (2,046) and Leeds (1,603).
The current standard parking dimensions were recommended back in the 1970s when the average size of a car was considerably smaller than now in 2024.
For example, the latest Ford Fiesta model measures 4m in length and 1.73m in width - a 10% total size increase compared to its predecessor from the 1970s, which measured just 3.6m by 1.6m.
The recommended new sizes for parking spaces translates to a 5% increase in length, 8% in width and an overall 12.85% growth in area.
Gerry Bucke from Adrian Flux Insurance Services said “The growing popularity of larger SUVs and 4x4s presents a unique dilemma for urban planners.
“The size increase, with consideration for pillar placement in multi-storey and underground car parks, means that major cities across the UK including Belfast are set to lose thousands of parking spaces.
“The alternative poses trouble for customers, as larger cars continue their increase in size and popularity, making navigating car parks harder and harder.
“The current dimensions of parking spaces pose challenges for drivers and passengers, making it difficult to open doors and alight from vehicles, even for those without larger SUVs.
“Whilst this may make it trickier to find a parking space during busy periods, it will lead to a more positive parking experience for owners of larger SUV and 4x4 vehicles.”
