Until now there has only been a voluntary code of practice for operators of these parking sites. But Local Government Sec­­retary Robert Jenrick today announced plans for mandatory controls to stop “aggressive and intimidating” practices. The British Standards Institution will now develop a compulsory code of practice forcing private car parks in England, Scotland and Wales to give drivers 10 minutes after their tickets expire to get back to their cars. 

This grace period was introduced in all council car parks in England in 2015 but private operators do not have to comply. The new code will lay out a single set of rules for all private firms and any breaking it will be banned from requesting DVLA data, leaving them unable to pursue motorists for charges. 

It would apply to all car parks run by private firms and could include hospitals, railway stations and shopping centres. 

Extra measures to stop these firms from aggressively pursuing motorists for fines will also be built into the new code. 

Mr Jenrick, Conservative MP for Newark, said: “For too long rogue parking firms have operated in an unregulated industry, handing out unjust fines, putting drivers through baffling appeals processes and issuing tickets to motorists who were only seconds late to their cars. 

“That’s why we’ve appointed the British Standards Institution to work with consumer groups and industry to write a compulsory code of practice. 

“It will restore common sense to the way fines are handed out, encourage people back on to our high streets and crack down on dodgy operators who use aggressive tactics to harass drivers.” 

It will also introduce a new independent appeals service, making it easier for drivers to challenge unjustified tickets. 

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Comment by Robert Jenrick

I’ve heard too many stories of motorists being unfairly penalised for parking perfectly legally in private car parks. 

Or drivers who, through no fault of their own, have returned to their cars just seconds after their ticket expired to find a fine on their bonnet – and no clear way to appeal. 

Or worse still, stories of innocent people whose lives have been made miserable by being aggressively hunted down by private firms and intimidated into paying snowballing fines. 

These experiences are damaging, not only to drivers but to our local shops, as they put people off shopping on the high streets and force them to shop in out-of-town centres 
or online. 

That’s why we have made a commitment to calling time on unfair parking practices, and why we’ve appointed the BSI to create this code for private firms. 

It is a victory for motorists and will restore common sense. 

• Robert Jenrick is the Local Government Secretary

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