Several changes are set to be implemented in private parking rules to ensure fair treatment for motorists who may face difficulties in paying within a short timeframe. The review of the sector’s code of practice was prompted by the case of Rosey Hudson, who was taken to court by Excel Parking over a £1,906 claim due to taking longer than five minutes to pay at a Derby car park. This case, along with similar concerns raised by other motorists, led to the eventual dropping of the claims.
The updated rules, to be enforced by the Private Parking Scrutiny and Advice Panel (PPSAP) starting Monday, aim to provide fairness to motorists encountering challenges in timely payments. The British Parking Association (BPA) and the International Parking Community (IPC) had previously established a panel to review the code of practice following Miss Hudson’s case. Drivers using private car parks monitored by technology like ANPR will now have safeguards against delays in payments.
According to Will Hurley, the IPC chief executive officer, the five-minute rule will be discontinued, with a new safeguard in place at specific car parks where payment ensures no penalty charges. However, Simon William, head of policy at RAC, expressed dissatisfaction with the changes, criticizing them as insufficient. He underscored the need for a more comprehensive code of practice to regulate private parking operators and protect motorists from disproportionate fines and recovery fees.
Miss Hudson, who faced legal action over the five-minute payment rule, welcomed the proposed changes, emphasizing the importance of fairness and meaningful improvements in the industry. Amid ongoing discussions about the implementation of a statutory parking code of practice by the government, the emphasis on safeguarding motorists in private car parks remains a critical issue. Despite the scheduled changes, concerns persist among parking campaigners and MPs regarding the self-regulation of the sector and the need for external oversight
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
