Private Parking Industry Hits back blog discussion

Former_MSE_Lawrence

This is the discussion to link on the back of Martin's blog. Please read the blog first, as this discussion follows it.

Read Martin's "The Private Parking Industry hits back..." Blog.

Click reply to discuss below.

king100

Excellent reply cant wait to see them take your offer to represent themselves on the forum.

I didnt get this point

“Let me first say the BPA is not simply a ‘Trade Body’ but we do of course count most of the respectable parking industry in our membership; we also have over 350 public sector members including the Department for Transport and some NHS Trusts for example. We truly represent the whole parking sector. More information about us is available on our website- see link below.”

You are a Trade Body and represent the parking sector not me as a consumer.

oldone_2

Of course we should all respect private property and not park on it uninvited.

What concerns me is the growth of the appointment of PPC's where there is no need.
Near to me is a retail park that is in the middle of no-where.It is surrounded by dual carriageways, and is 2.5 miles from the next nearest shops.The car park has never been more than half full, and yet a PPC has been appointed with a two hour limit for parking, with massive charges for return within 4 hours.

Surely this is nothing to do with managing a car park, but more to do with revenue generation. Could it be that PPC are touting for business convincing landowners they have a problem when one doesn't exist, solely to increase their turnover and profit.

Coblcris

Well done Martin.

I have to say that if that is their best and considered 'hit back' it reveals exactly what a shallow flim flam they are.

Personally speaking I would have included:-
1) Evidence from the forums shows that none of their members follow the amended Code of Practice that the BPA forced them to sign some time ago. Additionally the BPA is not enforcing its own Code which they need to to do to maintain their ATA status.

They undercut their own declared position by their actions and inactions. Actions speak louder than words do they not ?

2) Uniform breaking of multiple legislation and regulations by all their members. Some are potentially quite serious criminal offences. The BPA is fully aware of this as they took advice from Trading Standards when changing their code - this is undeniable. The October 2009 version is a blind, the code has already been amended and every member was made to sign up to it.


personally I think that the BPA should be renamed to "Ali Baba".
Less contentiously perhaps a phrase about eyes and motes may be used.

I believe that my points above deserve focus as they are fundamental - by their actions are they known.

catnatlady

My local hospital has turned almost all the parking spaces into STAFF PARKING ONLY. There are large signs to say this, but no signs to say what is the penalty for patients and visitors parking in these spaces. I have written to the hospital complaining about the lack of parking for patients, but they have failed to reply!

bargepole

I'm surprised that Perky (or one of his many alter egos) hasn't steamed into this thread by now, trying to convince us that private tickets are all perfectly legal and enforceable, and no doubt quoting his "landmark" win in the Thomas case.

The letter from the BPA, and its failure to address the fraudulent way in which most PPC tickets are pursued, illustrates perfectly what a house of straw the whole private parking industry is. Shame on those Government agencies and Councils for associating themselves with this scam.

counted

i jointly own an access driveway with equal use. the others have now decided it is to be used solely for their own use and issue me with parking tickets which I ignore - but leaving my car their to unload (as my lease allows) still invites all kinds of abuse to me and workmen. Other than tanking them to Court and solicitors letters which they've chosen to ignore. anyone else had same problem?

bumpoowee

catnatlady wrote: »

My local hospital has turned almost all the parking spaces into STAFF PARKING ONLY. There are large signs to say this, but no signs to say what is the penalty for patients and visitors parking in these spaces. I have written to the hospital complaining about the lack of parking for patients, but they have failed to reply!

Same here, we have two relatively small car parks for normal patients, one small car park for the disabled and then 4 or 5 massive car parks for staff. If the car parking spaces accurately represent the ratio of staff to patients and visitors I'd say they have far too many staff!

mmillie

I actually feel sorry for the BPA. I am sure that many of their members are respectable honest companies, but there are far too many cowboy parking companies who are unfairly preying on innocent motorists, and the BPA is in the awkward position of having to represent them too. How can they properly stick up for the rights of the honest parking companies, without acknowledging that loads of their members are basically crooks? It's an unenviable situation to be in.

Martin

Coblcris

mmillie wrote: »

I actually feel sorry for the BPA. I am sure that many of their members are respectable honest companies, but there are far too many cowboy parking companies who are unfairly preying on innocent motorists, and the BPA is in the awkward position of having to represent them too. How can they properly stick up for the rights of the honest parking companies, without acknowledging that loads of their members are basically crooks? It's an unenviable situation to be in.

Martin

I refer you to my earlier post.
There is considerable evidence that NONE of these companies follow the Code they signed up to.
ALL the BPA has to do is to enforce the Code as the DVLA has mandated but they do not.
Also there is an overwhelming preponderance of evidence that they ALL break multiple statutes and regulations - the only question to my mind is how many.

In my opinion the BPA should be stripped of its ATA status and the companies that do break multiple statutes and regulations should be prosecuted.
One has to remember the total amount of money taken from the public by their dishonest practices. Perhaps the authorities need to be reminded of the Proceeds of Crime Act.

thelawnet

I read the article, and while there are a few references to 'unfair' charges, I do believe that most people will read it as a 'how to get my parking ticket cancelled' guide, fair or not. Because of course when you've just got an £80 ticket, it's never fair.

So I'm not surprised they're complaining, as people will look for loopholes to avoid the charges, nobody cares whether their own charge is 'fair', because they're the ones paying it. Expecting honesty or fairness to enter into it is unrealistic, the slightly nudge-nudge wink-wink section on 'what if you're not the driver' is an obvious invitation to fraud.

Hopefully of course more knowledge will result in better practice by the industry - proper signing, etc.