Car park companies are introducing a ‘watered down’ code of practice – with no cap on scam charges
- Rip-off car park operators have unveiled a light-hearted new set of rules
- Critics say the rules don’t go far enough to stop parking sharks
Private parking companies are accused of introducing a ‘watered down’ code of conduct.
The AA said the set of rules drawn up by the industry does not include “much-needed” measures such as a cap on costs.
This is Money has previously campaigned for the government to crack down on private parking company scammers – with the move even receiving the backing of Rishi Sunak when he was local government secretary.
Now parking industry bodies have published a new code of conduct, but it falls far short of the drastic overhaul many were hoping for.
Not good at all: The harsh practices of many parking operators have been criticized by motorists, but the tough reforms they might have hoped for have been replaced by light-hearted alternatives
The British Parking Association (BPA) and International Parking Community (IPC) code of practice provides for a 10-minute grace period for motorists to leave a car park after the parking period they have paid for has ended.
There are also requirements for consistent signage, one set of rules for operators on private property and an appeals court.
BPA chief executive Andrew Pester said: ‘This is an important milestone as we work closely with government, consumer groups and others to deliver fairer and more consistent parking standards for motorists.
“We will continue to push for a positive outcome for everyone.”
An analysis by This is Money shows that parking operators consult drivers’ data up to 33,000 times a day to issue fines.
Private parking companies have been accused of using misleading and confusing signage, aggressive collections and unreasonable rates.
A bill to introduce a legislatively backed code of conduct received royal assent in March 2019.
This code – due to come into force across Britain at the end of last year – included halving the maximum amount of fines for most parking offenses to £50, creating a fairer system for appeals and banning the use of aggressive language on fines.
But it was withdrawn by the government in June 2022 after a legal challenge by parking companies.
The government is still planning to do something about possible parking reforms.
IPC chief executive Will Hurley said: “This new code will deliver positive change across the UK, improving protection for the most vulnerable in society, while creating consistency and clarity for motorists and continuing to raise standards across the sector.”
The trade organizations are asking private parking operators to implement the new code by October 1.
AA head of roads policy Jack Cousens said: ‘It is somewhat ironic that, after resisting so much against the adoption of a code, the two bodies have decided to implement their own.
‘This watered-down code of practice comfortably meets the standards that the AA, the government and consumer organizations have been calling for for years.
‘This self-written code does not take into account the need to limit costs and abolish collection costs.
“These are desperately needed elements of a government-backed code to protect innocent motorists from the sharks that run private parking lots.”
RAC head of policy Simon Williams said: ‘Drivers should not be misled into thinking that this so-called code, developed by the private parking sector itself, is the same as the long-delayed official code of practice for private parking, which is backed by legislation.
‘This, and only this, will put an end to the worst practices of some private parking operators and mean drivers – especially those who are vulnerable – will be protected from unreasonable fines and debt collectors chasing deposits.’