A MAJOR change to parking fines could see them double under new rules brought in by private enforcement firms.
The “watered down” regulations have been criticised by motoring groups for not doing enough to protect drivers.
Two of the UK’s largest organisations representing private parking companies have now published their much-heralded Code of Practice.
There was set to be a new legal framework for parking, with ministers promising to clamp down on rogue operators.
However, a bill on the matter introduced five years ago is still yet to be implemented despite passing through Parliament.
Instead, the British Parking Association and International Parking Community, which collectively represent thousands of private companies and local authorities, have introduced their own version.
Just last week, the change was being praised for the expected new protections for motorists set to be introduced.
But when it was published yesterday it prompted fierce backlash from petrolheads.
There was still a 10-minute grace period for drivers to get back to their car after the expiry of a permit before a ticket was issued, as well as the new appeals process that had been promised by the BPA and IPC.
Yet there was also an increase in the cap on minimum fines to £100.
That’s double the limit brought in by the Government in 2022 – which was quickly withdrawn amid an outcry from the parking sector.
It means that the base amount of a fine can be up to £100, rising well above that if not paid within 14 days.
The code also fails to place any limit on debt recovery fees incurred while chasing a fine.
Will Hurley, chief executive of the IPC, said: “This new code will create positive change across the UK, enhancing protection of the most vulnerable in society, whilst creating consistency and clarity for motorists and continuing to elevate standards across the sector.”
But the code was fiercely criticised by pro-driver organisations.
The AA’s head of road policy, Jack Cousens, commented: “It’s somewhat ironic that after pushing so hard against adopting one, the two bodies have decided to implement their own.
“This watered-down ‘code of practice’ falls far short of the standards The AA, Government and consumer groups have called for across many years.”
And Simon Williams from the RAC added: “Drivers shouldn’t be fooled into thinking this so-called code developed by the private parking industry itself is the same as the long-delayed official Private Parking Code of Practice that is backed by legislation.
“We accept that some of the measures being introduced by the parking industry are an improvement on the status quo which, we have long argued, is totally unacceptable.
“But what operators will now be expected to do falls miles short of what drivers have been promised by the Government, which includes a cap on fines and debt recovery fees, a single independent appeals service, and sanctions against companies that break the rules such as being banned from operating.”
On the delayed legislation, a spokesperson for the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities told The Sun: “We remain committed to introducing the private parking code of practice to help improve the regulation of the private parking system.
“We have recently concluded a call for evidence and will consult on elements of the code in due course.
“The Government continues to work with the industry and consumer groups to reissue the code as quickly as possible.”
