- Parking scammers have introduced a new set of light rules
- Critics say the rules don’t go far enough to stop parking sharks.
Private car park companies have been accused of introducing a “watered down” code of conduct.
The AA said the set of rules created by the sector did not include “desperately necessary” measures such as a cap on charges.
This is Money has previously campaigned for the Government to crack down on scamming private car park companies, with the move even gaining support from Rishi Sunak when he was a local government minister.
Now parking industry bodies have published a new code of conduct, but it falls far short of the drastic reform that many expected.
Not good: drivers have criticised the harsh practices of many car park operators, but the harsh reforms that were expected have been replaced by milder alternatives.
The British Parking Association (BPA) and International Parking Community (IPC) code of practice includes a 10-minute grace period for drivers to leave a car park after the parking period for which they have paid has ended.
It also includes requirements for consistent signs, a single set of rules for operators on private lands, and an appeal letter.
BPA chief executive Andrew Pester said: “This is a key milestone as we work closely with government, consumer bodies 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 found that car park operators access drivers’ records up to 33,000 times a day to issue fines.
Private parking companies have been accused of using misleading and confusing signs, aggressive debt collection and unreasonable fees.
A Bill to introduce a code of conduct backed by legislation received royal assent in March 2019.
This code, which was due to come into force in Britain at the end of last year, included halving the fine limit for most parking offenses to £50, creating a fairer appeals system and banning the use aggressive language in fines.
But it was withdrawn by the Government in June 2022 after a legal challenge by parking companies.
The government is still planning what to do about the parking reforms.
IPC chief executive Will Hurley said: “This new code will create positive change across the UK, improving protection for the most vulnerable in society, while creating consistency and clarity for motorists and continuing to raise awareness. standards throughout the sector.
Sector bodies ask private car park operators to apply the new code before October 1.
AA head of highways policy Jack Cousens said: “It is somewhat ironic that after lobbying so hard against the adoption of a code, the two bodies have decided to implement their own.”
‘This watered-down code of practice falls far short of the standards that the AA, government and consumer groups have demanded for many years.
‘This authorship code does not recognize the need to limit charges and eliminate debt recovery fees.
“These elements are desperately needed in a government-backed code to protect innocent drivers from the sharks controlling private car parks.”
RAC head of policy Simon Williams said: “Drivers should not be fooled into believing that this so-called code developed by the private parking industry itself is the same as the long-delayed and endorsed official private parking code of practice. by legislation”.
“This, and this alone, will put an end to the worst practices of some private car park operators and will mean that drivers, especially those who are vulnerable, will be protected from unreasonable fines and debt collectors chasing down payments.”