Call for evidence on private parking code

Government suggests reducing cost of parking charges

The UK government has launched a call for evidence on the Private Parking Code of Practice, focussing on the impact of changes to charges and debt recovery fees.

Once introduced, the Private Parking Code of Practice –required by the Parking (Code of Practice) Act 2019 – will allow drivers to more easily challenge an unfair parking charge through a new independent appeals service, and all private parking operators will also have to follow the code.

A draft single code of practice was unveiled last year, but withdrawn to allow further consultation on levels of fees. Options now under consideration include reducing the current £100 charge limit to £50 which would halve parking charges.

The government is also looking at potentially banning debt recovery fees altogether, which are currently as much as £70, or retaining existing limits.

The call for evidence on charges and debt recovery will pave the way for the development of the final Private Parking Code of Practice which will supersede the codes currently set out by the British Parking

Association and International Parking Community.

The new code will be complemented by the creation of a new appeals service, again replacing the distinct appeals systems set up the rival trade associations.

The government predicts the new code will ensure fewer drivers are penalised unfairly and tackle issues like confusing and misleading signs and a lack of grace periods.

Levelling up secretary Michael Gove said: “Millions of people across the country use private car parks and we want this to continue without them having the fear of being slapped with unfair and costly charges.

“Our new Private Parking Code of Practice will put this right, delivering a much fairer system for drivers and industry. The call for evidence is an important part of shaping this policy. I encourage everyone to come forward and have their say.”

The call for evidence is focussed on understanding the implications of the measures proposed to address issues in

BPA updates operator scheme code

The British Parking Association anticipates the government’s Private Parking Code of Practice is still some time away, so has updated its Approved Operator Code of Practice. The BPA went live with Version 9 of the code on 1 August and introduced new complaints-handling clauses, tariff pursuit clauses and a number of other standard-raising clauses drawn from the government’s code.

Kensington High Street to get bike lanes again

the private parking industry, and to inform decisions on parking charges and debt recovery fees.

A draft impact assessment published alongside the call for evidence considers the following five proposals and how they will impact the sector: measures installed on the roads in late 2020. The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea removed the cycle lanes just seven weeks into a scheduled 18-month trial and before construction on the scheme had been fully completed.

Option1: Retain £100 charge limit with a 40% discount for paying within 14 days, with the debt recovery fees cap at £70.

Option 2: Charges set at two levels depending on seriousness of offence with £50/70 for England and Wales (outside London), £80/£130 in London and £80/100 for Scotland, with a 50% discount for paying within 14 days. Debt recovery fees would be reduced to 30% of charge levels.

Option 3: Same as the second option but debt recovery fees would be banned.

Option 4: Charges set at two levels depending on seriousness of offence at £70/£100, with the discount for paying within 14 days remaining at 40%. Debt recovery fees would be reduced to 30% of charge levels.

Option 5: Same as the fourth option but debt recovery fees would be banned.

The consultation is open until 24 September 2023. A further consultation is then planned on the options for parking charges and debt recovery fees.

In March a High Court judge dismissed a legal challenge against the council’s removal of the protected cycle lane.

Kensington & Chelsea Council said its decision was in response to complaints from local businesses and residents. The local authority said that the segregated cycle lanes caused congestion and hindered the emergency services.

‘Advisory’ cycle lanes are to be installed on parts of Kensington High Street and Fulham Road after a majority of respondents to a public consultation backed the move.

More than 60% at least partially supported proposals to have the advisory lanes on Fulham Road, and the eastern and western sections of Kensington High Street.

The lanes will be marked out with a broken white line, so there will be no physical barrier separating cyclists from motorised vehicles.

This is in contrast to the light segregation

Cllr Cem Kemahli, lead member for planning, place and environment, said: “It’s heartening to see that people are open to the idea of some cycling infrastructure on our streets and this scheme strikes the right balance between keeping our major through roads moving while allowing space for everyone.

“Road safety auditors made some suggestions to make the scheme safer and discourage close passes. I’m happy to have accepted these, as making our roads safer as well as greener is a priority for us.”