Private Parking Code of Practice withdrawn

The government has withdrawn its plans for a Private Parking Code of Practice, pending review of the levels of private parking charges and additional fees.

The code, which was initially announced in February, aimed to end some bad practices in the private parking sector and protect drivers. There were plans to cap private parking fines to £50 – down from £100. Fines up to £100 would only remain for those who parked in Blue Badge bays without a badge.

It was also introduced to create a fairer appeal system and help UK drivers by providing a grace period for lateness in paying any fine. Any fine paid within two weeks of being issues would get a 50 per cent discount.

Under the initial announcement, private car park operators who went against these rules would be barred from collecting any fines from motorists.

The RAC, who campaigned for a fairer system for drivers for years, has said the withdrawal is "disappointing".

RAC head of roads policy Nicholas Lyes said: “The new private parking code of practice was designed specifically to make things fairer for drivers and end some of the worst practices in the sector. It’s deeply disappointing that the code has been temporarily withdrawn which now almost certainly means yet more delays in it being introduced. Drivers have a right to feel infuriated.

“The fact that parking companies take issue with the capping of charge notices and debt recovery fees shows precisely why both the code and the cap are needed.

“For too long, some companies have been allowed to prey mercilessly on drivers who might make an honest mistake and then have to face both over-zealous enforcement and threatening debt recovery letters. The Government must stand up to these companies and get the code over the line so we finally have fair and transparent enforcement in the private parking sector.”