Council looks to tackle 'fly-parking' near airport

A council is exploring whether it can help solve the long-term issue of so-called fly-parking near the city's airport by repurposing a park and ride site.

The Norwich Airport Park and Ride is a 620-space facility located less than 400m (1,312ft) from the terminal, however, it cannot actually be used for airport passengers.

Fly-parking, where cars are left on nearby roads instead to avoid charges, has become an increasing problem in Hellesdon.

"Our teams are currently in the early stages of looking into whether there is any spare capacity at the site," said a Norfolk County Council spokeswoman.

"[And] whether this is something that could work in practice alongside the commercial park and ride service."

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, prices for airport drop-offs were hiked earlier this summer with motorists being charged £8 to stop for up to 20 minutes outside of the terminal.

Drivers using the airport's own long-term facility - which is separate to the park and ride - can face charges of as much as £135.

The county council is now considering whether to allow some airport passengers to use the park and ride.

Conservative Shelagh Gurney believes people are losing patience with drivers who are not willing to pay the fees.

"It is getting worse. People are cottoning on to the fact that there is free parking on side roads in Hellesdon," she said.

Reform UK councillor Nick Taylor, whose party runs the local authority, said: "Somehow we have got to find a solution, as if we get more yellow lines on the road it just pushes the problem further up the road."

The county council currently leases 200 spaces at the park and ride to oil and gas company Perenco - which has an office in the city - as part of a £376,000 two-year deal which was signed off in 2025.

At the time of the agreement a report said there was still "sufficient space" at the park and ride.

This contract would not be affected by any changes at the park and ride, senior figures told the LDRS.

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