**Travellers Warned Over Unauthorised Parking Crackdown at Bristol Airport**
Holidaymakers jetting off from Bristol Airport have been issued with a fresh warning amid an ongoing clampdown on unauthorised car parking operations around the airport. Increasing numbers of travellers have returned to find their vehicles not in secure compounds as promised, but instead parked in unsupervised fields and on remote local roads, sometimes with worrying signs of physical damage and unexplained odometer readings.
The local authority, North Somerset Council, has now stepped up its efforts to address what it describes as a serious and worsening public nuisance, implicating both private operators and innocent motorists caught unawares. According to the council, unauthorised car parking—often in the form of makeshift lots in rural areas near the airport—has created significant disruption, damaging the local countryside and causing alarm in the surrounding communities.
Reports have emerged from several holidaymakers who say they returned from their travels to discover their cars not where they expected. Instead, vehicles were found abandoned along narrow country lanes or sitting on muddy farmland, with little evidence of the security and monitoring that legitimate parking firms promise. In some instances, drivers reported new dents, scratches, or even clocked-up mileage, raising suspicions over how their vehicles had been handled in their absence.
As a result, North Somerset Council has issued a public advisory, urging airport users to thoroughly research parking providers before making a reservation. One key recommendation is to look for the ‘Park Mark’ accreditation, issued by the British Parking Association, which certifies operators that meet national safety and security standards.
In a bid to get to grips with the issue, Bristol Airport has been working closely with local authorities. Last year, the airport allocated £50,000 to help employ a dedicated Planning and Parking Enforcement Officer, with a further £50,000 earmarked for this year to continue the initiative. This officer forms part of North Somerset Council’s planning enforcement team and has played a pivotal role in investigating the often-hidden world of unauthorised car parks.
Official data reveals the scale of the challenge. In 2024 alone, the council’s parking enforcement officer visited over 600 suspected sites, investigating 49 reports related to illicit parking operations. These efforts led to 17 Planning Contravention Notices being issued and a number of problem sites being cleared or brought back within permitted use.
Some of the most notable enforcement actions included the clearance of agricultural land near Hyatts Wood Road, which had been used to store up to 1,500 vehicles. Elsewhere, similar action was taken on various parcels of land able to accommodate anywhere from 450 to 1,900 cars. In line with planning laws, landowners were reminded that temporary car parking is only permitted for up to 28 days per year before it becomes a prosecutable offence.
One high-profile incident saw the owner of a residential property on Downside Road prosecuted after the site was found to be causing serious local disruption due to unauthorised parking. The operator pleaded guilty at North Somerset Magistrates’ Court, was fined, and the offending vehicles removed from the premises.
Matt Lenny, North Somerset Council’s Director of Healthy and Sustainable Communities, emphasised the importance of due diligence for all travellers: “It’s about being confident in your parking provider before you book. We would urge everyone to look for the Park Mark, which is a clear symbol of reputable British Parking Association members.” He added that careful research before leaving home can prevent costly and distressing mistakes.
In light of the ongoing concerns, Bristol Airport and North Somerset Council have committed to work even more closely with parish councils, aiming for greater communication and coordination across the area. A special meeting focusing on parking hotspots and ongoing issues is scheduled for later this month, with local community representatives invited to help find lasting solutions.
The warning serves as a timely reminder for anyone flying from Bristol Airport: while arranging convenient parking is a key element of travelling, taking steps to verify a provider’s credentials is more important than ever. Those who fail to do so risk not only financial loss, but also the possibility of discovering their car is not where, or in the condition, they expected upon their return.