Potential Penalties: Up to 17.5 million fines may be issued by reckless parking companies this year, with Labour hesitant on enforcing regulations against abusive firms
In the bustling heart of the UK, a contentious issue has surfaced: the practices of private parking firms and the fines they impose. Motoring groups are demanding that fees should be waived when pay machines are out of order, citing the potential financial burden on drivers.
The stakes are high. With each fine demanding up to £100, the daily cost to drivers can reach nearly £5 million. This year, the total number of fines that could be issued by private firms is a staggering 17.5 million.
The Government is not immune to criticism in this matter. Some perceive it as bending to the will of rogue private parking firms, a sentiment that has been echoed by Jack Cousens, head of roads policy at the AA. He has accused certain firms of acting aggressively and targeting drivers.
Steve Gooding, director of the RAC Foundation, has gone a step further, describing private parking management as a one-way street to big profits. This sentiment is shared by many, leading to calls for the government to take action against these firms, particularly in light of the current cost of living squeeze.
The Government has proposed a £20 'mitigation' charge for drivers who cannot prove their innocence, a move that has been criticized as a 'power grab' for private firms. It's important to note that these fines apply only to car parks run by private firms, not councils.
Since the end of the Conservative government, more than 6,000 private parking spots have been removed and areas have been restructured to reduce parking spots and increase green spaces, as part of urban planning and environmental measures.
The private parking code of practice, when implemented, is expected to stamp out unfair charges and drive up standards in the industry. However, there have been accusations of delays in the consultation process for this code of practice, following the resignation of Angela Rayner.
A spokesman for the British Parking Association acknowledged that 99.6% of parking visits do not result in a charge. Yet, between April and June, approximately 4.3 million parking fines were issued, averaging 2,000 per hour. About 180 firms requested vehicle owner records from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency for owners of cars in alleged private parking infringements during this period.
ParkingEye was the most active firm, with 668,000 records requested. In 2020, private firms caught out 14.4 million drivers.
Motoring groups have criticized the proposed parking regulations for being too soft and for potentially allowing debt collectors to hound late-paying motorists. The consultation on the private parking code of practice closes next week, with the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government promising to work quickly to bring in changes to the private parking market after inheriting a dysfunctional one that lacks transparency and protection for motorists.
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