The Labour Government’s commitment to introduce a legally binding code of practice for private parking companies, following growing concerns about unfair fines and the treatment of motorists, has been welcomed by Chesterfield MP, Toby Perkins, who has been campaigning on this issue for several years.
Drivers will get new rights to challenge unfair private parking charges under new rules announced today in Parliament. This includes a guaranteed 5 minutes to decide whether to park and 10 minutes to leave once their session ends, and the right to have charges cancelled on appeal for issues they can’t control.
Toby Perkins said: “I know from the number of emails I receive from local residents that private parking fines and the way some operators manage their car parks are a major concern for people across Chesterfield. I have been pressing previous governments on this issue and I’m glad that it is this Labour Government that is finally taken the action needed. People should not be left feeling intimidated by threatening letters or facing eye-watering bills because of unclear signs, confusing payment systems or minor mistakes.
Toby has long campaigned on behalf of local residents affected by problems at private car parks, including Ravenside Retail Park and Markham Retail Park. He has raised concerns about the practices of some parking operators and pressed for motorists to be treated fairly, with clear signage, reasonable rules and a straightforward way to challenge unfair fines.
Under the new Private Parking Code of Practice laid in Parliament today (20 October), charges will be scrapped on appeal for honest mistakes, like stopping briefly to check directions, and for situations like a medical emergency, breakdown or broken ticket machine.
For smaller slip-ups, like forgetting a parking permit, entering the wrong vehicle’s registration or forgetting to confirm it in the machine when parking, drivers will face a maximum charge of £20 on appeal.
The Code also freezes the maximum parking charge at £100. Operators who don’t comply risk losing access to DVLA data, meaning that even if they issue a charge, it will be far more difficult to identify the registered owner to pursue payment.
Toby added, “Voluntary rules are not enough if some operators continue to behave unfairly and the Government will introduce a legally binding code of practice. We need clear standards, proper accountability and meaningful protection for drivers. This is an important step towards tackling poor practices in the private parking industry, and I will continue to push for action that makes a real difference to motorists in Chesterfield”.
