Andrew Stephenson, MP for Pendle, has welcomed Government support for legislation aimed at raising standards in the private parking industry.
Drivers will receive legal protections from unscrupulous private parting operators as Sajid David, Communities Secretary, confirmed that the government will support new legislation aimed at raising standards in the industry.
Nearly 10,000 people approached the Citizen’s Advice Bureau for advice on private parking tickets last year and parking firms are issuing almost 13 times more tickets than a decade ago. Drivers complain of inconsistent practices, unclear signage, confusing appeals processes and intimidating payment letters.
Under the plans, a stringent new Code of Practice will be developed by the Secretary of State in conjunction with motorist groups and other experts. Those falling foul of the rules would be blocked from accessing driver data and issuing fines, effectively forcing them out of the industry.
These measures were introduced in a Bill by Conservative politician Sir Greg Knight MP.
Secretary of State for Communities, Sajid Javid, said: “For too long drivers have suffered from unjust fines at the hands of dodgy parking firms.”
“We need a fairer, clearer and more consistent system that brinks the small minority of unscrupulous operators in line with those who are behaving appropriately.”
Andrew Stephenson MP said: “I am glad that the Government are helping drivers who often find themselves victims of aggressive and inconsistent practices.”
“I know that many drivers will welcome a more streamline system which private parking firms must adhere to in order to ensure that drivers are not unfairly targeted.”