North Cornwall MP Scott Mann has pledged his support for a Bill in Parliament to protect motorists from rogue car park operators.
Drivers are increasingly complaining of inconsistent practices, substandard signage, confusing appeals processes and intimidating payment letters, and evidence shows that nearly 10,000 people approached the Citizen’s Advice Bureau for advice on private parking tickets last year.
The Parking (Code of Practice) Bill, which has been tabled by Conservative MP Sir Greg Knight, proposes a stringent new Code of Practice which would be developed by the Government in conjunction with motorist groups and other experts.
Scott Mann said:
“I’m very pleased to be backing this Bill which will introduce a new code of practice for private parking companies. There are many rogue firms which clearly have no regard for their customers and don’t have the correct signage, communications or appeals process for their customers, and I have heard some examples from constituents where they have been fined for no justified reason.
“Private firms are within their right to fine motorists who do not pay for a ticket or who overstay, but many do not have the appropriate processes in place for motorists to appeal or pay their fine, which then leads to unjustified higher penalties.
“These rogue firms need to be brought in line with an industry-wide code of practice that gives greater protection to motorists, and I hope this Bill makes it through Parliament to Royal Assent.”
If implemented, the Code of Practice would punish firms who break the rules by blocking their access to driver data and the ability to issue fines, effectively forcing them out of business. The Bill also builds on a 2017 Conservative manifesto promise to deal with rogue parking firms, and that’s why the Government is also supporting the Bill.
Secretary of State for Communities, Sajid Javid, said:
“For too long drivers have suffered from unjust fines at the hands of dodgy parking firms.
“We need a fairer, clearer and more consistent system that brings the small minority of unscrupulous operators in line with those who are behaving appropriately.
“That is why government is putting the brakes on these rogue operators and backing new laws that will put a stop to aggressive behaviour and provide a simpler way for drivers to appeal fines.”
Andrew Pester, Chief Executive of the British Parking Association, said:
“We welcome Sir Greg’s Bill that aims to drive consistency and fairness in the private parking sector. Our membership already complies with a robust Code of Practice which we continuously seek to improve through consultation.
“A single, mandatory code of practice across the whole sector is important to ensure that unscrupulous providers don’t undermine the parking sector with bad practice. As the leading authority in the sector we shall continue to work closely with government and key stakeholders to press for progress towards a positive outcome for all.”