Keighley and Ilkley MP Robbie Moore has welcomed news that millions of motorists will benefit from a major government crackdown on rogue parking firms, which will see fines slashed and a clearer and fairer appeals system created.
The government’s new Parking Code of Practice will see parking fines cut by up to 50% in most cases, saving motorists millions of pounds each year. Most fines will be capped at £50, down from £100 currently, although higher financial penalties will remain for more serious breaches such as parking in Blue Badge bays.
These proposals also include a 10-minute grace period before a late fine can be issued, and a requirement for parking firms to clearly display pricing, terms, and conditions.
Under current rules, private parking firms are able to hide behind non-specific, pseudo-legal and aggressive language when pursuing motorists. The Code of Practice will provide new higher standards to stop ‘Cowboy Parking Firms’ from abusing the rules in this way.
Rogue firms which break these rules could be barred from requesting Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) data, making them unable to pursue motorists for their charges through the post.
Robbie Moore MP said: “Parking is a big issue in several parts of my constituency, and I am regularly contacted by constituents who have received unduly harsh parking fines. I welcome the measures in the new Parking Code of Practice to support drivers who fall foul of rogue parking firms, including a cap on fines and introducing an appeals system which is fitter for purpose.”
High Streets and Towns Minister Neil O’Brien said: “Private firms issue roughly 22,000 parking tickets every day, often adopting a system of misleading and confusing signage, aggressive debt collection and unreasonable fees designed to extort money from motorists. The new Code of Practice will set out a clear vision with the interests of safe motorists at its heart, while cracking down on the worst offenders who put other people in danger and hinder our emergency services from carrying out their duties.”
