New rules on private parking could help drivers get fines cancelled

New regulations for private parking are set to make it easier for drivers to challenge and reduce fines. The introduction of a new code of practice by the British Parking Association and the International Parking Community will also mean private parking firms will need to provide clearer signage, but motoring organisations argue it does not go far enough.

RAC's head of policy, Simon Williams, said: "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.

"We badly need an acceptable cap on parking charge notices, along with a cap on debt recovery fees as, in our opinion, both are disproportionate to most parking contraventions. Finally, a truly independent single appeals system is needed for those who feel their initial appeal to the company concerned has not been listened to."

Birmingham Live report that the AA's head of roads policy, Jack Cousens, added: "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.

"This self-authored 'code' doesn't acknowledge the need to cap charges and remove debt recovery fees. These elements are desperately needed from a government backed Code to protect innocent drivers from the sharks running private car parks."

Over half (55%) of those surveyed believed that the enforcement policies of private parking companies were excessively harsh, with 40% stating