Which? responds to the new Private Parking Code of Practice

Sue Davies, Which? Head of Consumer Rights Policy, said:

“We hear almost every day from motorists left frustrated and bewildered while battling extortionate parking charges from private companies. These plans are long overdue, but look like they fall well short of what’s needed to help drivers fight back against the private parking cowboys. 

“It is particularly concerning that the government has shied away from a £50 price cap to prevent disproportionate charges and an independent appeals body that could rein in the industry’s worst practices. The government has also failed to address widely misused debt recovery fees, which are regularly added without motorists’ knowledge and push unfair charges even higher. 

“The parking industry must not be allowed to continue marking its own homework. There need to be clear, independent standards that all parking operators must meet that are backed up by an impartial appeals process.”

-ENDS-

Notes to Editors

Which? has today published new research from a nationally representative survey on parking fines: The public’s view on parking fines. Key findings include: 

• Nearly one in five UK drivers (18%) received a parking fine in the past 12 months.
• Nearly two-thirds (65%) of those fined felt the amount they had to pay was unreasonable .
• Over half (55%) believed their fine was issued unjustifiably, often due to incorrect issuance, poor signage, broken machines, or other circumstances beyond their control.
• Only half (51%) of those who felt their fine was unreasonable went on to appeal, mainly because they expected not to be listened to or feared losing the early-payment discount. Of those who did appeal, seven in ten rated at least one aspect of the process as poor.