IT is easy to get caught out on the roads, especially if you’re travelling somewhere new.
If you’re out on day trips or enjoying city breaks this summer, keep money in your pocket by avoiding unnecessary fines.
7
CLEAN AIR FARE: If you’re taking a city break, many places now have clean air or low emission zones and some of them charge private cars for driving through, including Bristol, Birmingham and London.
Other cities charge vans and larger vehicles.
If your car doesn’t comply, you’ll need to pay, and face a fine if you don’t.
So check before you travel and, if you do have to pay, use official websites to avoid rogue operators.
READ MORE MONEY SAVING TIPS
STEER CLEAR OF SCHOOLS: Many councils have put in no-drive zones around schools during drop-off and pick-up times.
Drive through and you’ll be hit with a fine of £50 or more.
It can be easy to miss the signs, especially if you’re in an unfamiliar area or your sat-nav takes you that way.
TOLL ORDERS: There are 20 major tolls dotted around in the UK, including 18 river crossings.
One of the busiest is the M25’s Dartford Crossing.
You need to pay the Dart Charge by midnight the day after you cross.
But it’s easy to forget and then receive a fine of up to £70.
If you use a toll road regularly, set up an automatic payment.
Anyone can set up a Dart Charge account and link it to a payment card, so that the crossing fee is taken automatically.
Pre-pay account holders also get 20 per cent off.
PARKING FINES: Getting a fine can ruin your day. Manchester City Council issued the most last year with 460,000 tickets.
Read signs as sneaky restrictions can catch you out.
If you haven’t got cash, parking apps such as RingGo and PaybyPhone downloaded and linked to your bank can be helpful, but you will pay more if you use them.
- All prices on page correct at time of going to press. Deals and offers subject to availability.
Deal of the day
7
PREPARE for the long summer days with the Valencia rattan effect corner sofa set from B&M, down from £250 to £175.
SAVE: £75
Cheap treat
7
FOR children hopping with Easter excitement, the cream bunny rabbit from The Range will be a hit, and it’s down from £5.59 to £3.49.
SAVE: £2.10
What’s new?
LOOK out for new Mr Kipling Caramel Tart ice cream, down from £3.50 to £2.50 at Morrisons from tomorrow.
Top swap
7
7
GIVE curious tots a step up with the Kids’ step stool and craft table, £69.99, from Amazon.
Or Aldi’s Sohl learning tower, £34.99, available from tomorrow, transforms into a table and chair.
SAVE: £35
Little helper
THE EASTER dine-in deal at M&S ends tomorrow, so hurry to get a main, including a bone-in lamb shoulder, and three side dishes for £20, saving up to £9.50, serving a hungry family of four.
Shop & save
7
HAM-up mealtimes with the Co-op’s offer of two gammon steaks and fries for £4.50, saving members £2.20 (£5 to non-members, saving £1.70).
SAVE: Up to £2.20
Hot right now
SAVE on hundreds of items at Hobbycraft, including a colour-in pirate ship, down from £20 to £10.
PLAY NOW TO WIN £200
7
JOIN thousands of readers taking part in The Sun Raffle.
Every month we’re giving away £100 to 250 lucky readers – whether you’re saving up or just in need of some extra cash, The Sun could have you covered.
Every Sun Savers code entered equals one Raffle ticket.
The more codes you enter, the more tickets you’ll earn and the more chance you will have of winning!
