Parking stories in the News/media

Umkomaas

Nellymoser said:

@Umkomaas sorry I don't have another source confirming his full understanding of the difference between the codes. I guess my interpretation of the article differs from yours.

I think it's really only those who are deeply involved in this stuff will spot the twists and turns in the joint CoP that swing it in favour of the PPCs.  I know Pete Wishart has been one of the MPs with the greatest interest in the private parking scam, but at the end of the day, he's an MP and will want to move on as quickly as possible to the next vote-winning issue. He could well be impressed that this is a joint BPA/IPC document - therefore all rosey in the garden. 

I hope I'm woefully wrong. We'll see. Thanks for all the media articles you bring to the forum most days. Very helpful resource. 👍

Nellymoser

@Umkomaas I do understand your points. MP Pete Wishart never seemed very impressed with BPA's work in the past if I recall so hopefully he won't buy the all rosey in the garden because BPA says so.
He's not my MP so I didn't expect an informed reply even though I'd cc'd him in my 20/11 email to my own MP. I am expecting an informed response from my MP at some point...soon. 

Nellymoser

RAC survey finds four out of five drivers are frustrated that a Government-backed code of practice for private parking companies is still not in force five years after becoming law 

https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/drivers-frustrated-five-wait-parking-000100436.html

Like myself the RAC, motoring groups, Govt Steering Group (Coupon-mad is on) must be delighted with Isaac Occhipinti BPA head of external affairs foolish response...“Motoring groups like the RAC seem to have a disparaging comment every time parking is mentioned but never a constructive one."

Lets hope Mr Occhipinti responses continue in this manner throughout 2025. It will further emphasise what campaigners and MPs have been saying for years and provide proof to the present Govt the DVLA not only made a huge mistake awarding accreditation to the BPA but failed to see poor performance and how ineffective BPA are as an ATA.

Umkomaas

proof to the present Govt the DVLA not only made a huge mistake awarding accreditation to the BPA but failed to see poor performance and how ineffective BPA are as an ATA.

.... and then there's the IPC!

Coupon-mad

Nellymoser said:

RAC survey finds four out of five drivers are frustrated that a Government-backed code of practice for private parking companies is still not in force five years after becoming law 

https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/drivers-frustrated-five-wait-parking-000100436.html

Like myself the RAC, motoring groups, Govt Steering Group (Coupon-mad is on) must be delighted with Isaac Occhipinti BPA head of external affairs foolish response...“Motoring groups like the RAC seem to have a disparaging comment every time parking is mentioned but never a constructive one."

Lets hope Mr Occhipinti responses continue in this manner throughout 2025. It will further emphasise what campaigners and MPs have been saying for years and provide proof to the present Govt the DVLA not only made a huge mistake awarding accreditation to the BPA but failed to see poor performance and how ineffective BPA are as an ATA.

I rarely see anything the BPA or IPC say as "constructive". It's always self-serving.

They come across as puppets manoeuvred primarily by their unregulated debt collector and solicitor membership, whose stated aim in at least one case is to be the biggest bulk litigators.  I don't call that constructive. It's destructive.

To a reasonable person it looks like the DRAs run the sht show.  And the reason for that is money and a complete lack of DRA regulation (which the Code doesn't really address).

patient_dream

Let's face it ... the new BPA/IPC code is simply a sham.
It's not a LAW, there is already a LAW albiet the money grabbing industry required a JR

I see no reason why anyone should take any notice of a NON LEGAL SHAM

Gr1pr

This blog was posted today,  gives a reasonable overview of current topics around parking charges notices,  invoices etc

A few problems or omissions,  but most of the blog is correct 

https://news.sky.com/story/money-blog-im-being-harassed-about-a-private-parking-fine-from-five-years-ago-do-i-need-to-pay-13040934

I first saw the link on the sky news app

But the Newbies sticky thread in announcements on this forum is still the most useful source of information,  just a great shame that newbies don't tend to read it first,  before posting 

Bongo10

The Daily Mail seem to be on the case of the CoP: Frustration at five-year wait for private parking regulations, 

Coupon-mad

Good old RAC for being proactive and doing a timely survey & press release to being this to people's attention this New Year:

https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/news/motoring-news/drivers-frustrated-government-backed-private-parking-code-of-practice/

They've caused the press articles.

  

ParkingMad

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cdd94j587m2o

'Five-minute fine' prompts private car parks review

Private parking firms have pledged to update their rules to ensure motorists are not penalised if they do not pay to park within five minutes.

It comes after motorist Rosey Hudson was taken to court last year after accumulating £1,906 in fines for taking more than five minutes to pay for parking in Derby.

Ms Hudson was given 10 Parking Charge Notices in the space of several days after walking away from her car in order to find phone reception so she could use an app to pay for a space.

Now two industry bodies say they will revise their code of conduct to "protect genuine motorists" and "reflect technological advancements".

The British Parking Association (BPA) and the International Parking Community (IPC) have announced that a panel will revise the private parking sector's code of conduct to ensure it "protects genuine motorists who have difficulty making prompt payment on entry".

The BPA said a key priority will be to urgently review Ms Hudson's case, which has been called the five-minute payment rule.

It said that a revision to the code addressing payment difficulties would come into effect by February 2025 and the full review could be expected by the following April.

Ms Hudson was one of several people taken to court by private car park operator Excel Parking.

In December, Excel dropped its case against her without explanation, and did the same for Garry Kay, who parked at the same car park in Derby and was preparing to fight fines of £255.

In November, analysis of government data by the RAC Foundation found that private parking companies were issuing an average of 41,000 parking tickets per day.

Each ticket can be up to £100, meaning the maximum total daily income from fines to drivers would amount to £4.1m.

A bill to introduce a government-backed code of practice for private parking companies received royal assent in 2019 but it was withdrawn in June 2022 after a legal challenge by parking companies.

That code included a £50 cap on most fines, a grace period for lateness and a fairer appeals system.

In June, the BPA and IPC published their own code of practice which is what will be overseen by the new panel.

The move to introduce the panel shows that private parking firms are "serious about raising standards but also making decisive changes to the code when issues arise", BPA chief executive Andrew Pester said.

IPC chief executive Will Hurley said the panel "shows the commitment the industry has to improving the reputation of our sector".