Car park firms bring in 'watered-down' code of practice - with no cap on rip-off charges

Rip-off car park operators have unveiled a light-touch new set of rulesCritics say the rules do not go far enough to stop the car park sharks 

Private parking companies have been accused of introducing a 'watered down' code of conduct.

The AA said the set of rules created by the sector does not feature 'desperately needed' measures such as a cap on charges.

This is Money has campaigned before for the Government to crack down on rip-off private parking firms - with the move even getting the support of Rishi Sunak when he was local Government minister.

Now parking industry bodies have published a new code of conduct - but it falls far short of the drastic overhaul many were hoping for.

Not fine at all: The sharp practices of many car park operators has been criticised by drivers, but the tough reforms may had hoped for have been replaced by light-touch alternatives

The code of practice from the British Parking Association (BPA) and the International Parking Community (IPC) includes a 10-minute grace period for motorists to leave a car park after the parking period they paid for ends.

It also features requirements for consistent signs, a single set of rules for operators on private land and an appeals charter.

BPA chief executive Andrew Pester said: 'This is a key milestone as we work closely with Government, consumer bodies and others to deliver fairer and more consistent parking standards for motorists.

'We will continue to push for a positive outcome for all.'

Analysis by This is Money found car park operators are accessing drivers' records up to 33,000 times per day to dole out fines.

Private parking businesses have been accused of using misleading and confusing signs, aggressive debt collection and unreasonable fees.

A bill to bring in a legislation-backed code of conduct received Royal Assent in March 2019.

This code – due to come into force across Britain by the end of last year – included halving the cap on tickets for most parking offences to £50, creating a fairer appeals system, and banning the use of aggressive language on tickets.

But it was withdrawn by the Government in June 2022 following a legal challenge by parking companies.

The Government is still planning what to do with any car parking reforms.

IPC chief executive Will Hurley said: 'This new code will create positive change across the UK, enhancing protection of the most vulnerable in society, whilst creating consistency and clarity for motorists and continuing to elevate standards across the sector.'

The industry bodies are asking private parking operators to implement the new code by 1 October.

AA head of roads policy Jack Cousens said: 'It's somewhat ironic that after pushing so hard against adopting a code, the two bodies have decided to implement their own.

'This watered-down code of practice falls far short of the standards the AA, Government and consumer groups have called for across many years.

'This self-authored code doesn't acknowledge the need to cap charges and remove debt recovery fees.

'These elements are desperately needed from a Government-backed code to protect innocent drivers from the sharks running private car parks.'

RAC head of policy Simon Williams said: 'Drivers shouldn't be fooled into thinking this so-called code developed by the private parking industry itself is the same as the long-delayed official private parking code of practice that is backed by legislation.

'This, and only this, will bring an end to the worst practices of some private parking operators and mean drivers – especially those who are vulnerable – are protected from unreasonable fines and debt collectors chasing down payments.'