Parking stories in the News/media

Half_way

Fruitcake said:

Another load of tosh from a journo'. This could be a good article if they had done their research, but of course they didn't.

Car park firm accused of targeting elderly drivers who won’t fight back

News article appears to be lifted from the Telegraph, behind a paywall here:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/04/20/car-park-firm-accused-targeting-elderly-drivers-fight-back/

Fruitcake

A slightly better article today, but still use of the F and P words, and no opportunity to comment.

Parking firms ‘issuing thousands of fines in England due to faulty ticket machines’

kryten3000

Fruitcake said:

A slightly better article today, but still use of the F and P words, and no opportunity to comment.

Parking firms ‘issuing thousands of fines in England due to faulty ticket machines’

This one is also in the Independent and other publications, plus coverage and interviews on various radio stations this morning.

might explain Will H’s LinkedIn post from yesterday:

”There’s no doubt the parking sector is evolving at pace, and that’s exactly why the sector must keep their pen firmly on the Code of Practice. In recent years, we’ve raised standards, adapted to a growing number of vehicles using private land, and embraced rapid advances in technology. The first ever single Code of Practice, published by the The International Parking Community (IPC)  and BPA - British Parking Association  in 2024, reflects government intentions while evolving with the landscape. An update by the panel has already been made to keep up with evolving technology, a clear example of the swift, proactive approach that we are uniquely positioned to deliver.

One of the greatest strengths of the private parking sector is our ability to adapt quickly. If a statutory Code were in place and changes were needed, the time required to implement those updates could mean new challenges take root, technologies move on, and motorists across the UK feel the impact for far too long. In contrast, the sector, informed by real-world knowledge, has shown we can act with speed and relevance. The most recent update to the Code was delivered in a matter of weeks, not years. That kind of agility is exactly what’s needed in today’s fast-moving world.

But it’s not just about speed, it’s about practicality. The government called for a single Code and a single appeals service. The sector delivered: one Code, overseen by a dedicated independent panel to manage updates, and greater consistency across two independent appeals services. We’ve taken the government’s vision and built something that works on the ground. However, we must remain alert to ongoing challenges. Inflation has reduced the deterrent effect of parking charges, non-compliance is increasing, and over 35% of charges are now issued to repeat offenders. These are serious concerns that require timely, flexible responses.

Let’s be clear, this isn’t about protecting industry interests. It’s about ensuring fairness, supporting responsible land use, and maintaining high standards in an increasingly complex parking environment. The sector is best placed to lead that charge, with the knowledge, responsiveness, and practical experience to keep the Code of Practice aligned with the real world. In a sector that moves this fast, we simply can’t afford to fall behind.“

Castle

ITV's Good Morning Britain did a 5 minute segment at around 8.15am, with far too many "Fines" in it. Should be repeated at 9.15am or so on ITV+1.

Actually it's on now at 9.10am.

kryten3000

Nick Ferrari did an interview with VCS/Excel victim Karen Bennett on his show this morning - 0740 (or 40 minutes in to the programme).  Available on the Global player website (registration required) for the next 6 days.

Nellymoser

kryten3000 said:

Fruitcake said:

A slightly better article today, but still use of the F and P words, and no opportunity to comment.

Parking firms ‘issuing thousands of fines in England due to faulty ticket machines’

This one is also in the Independent and other publications, plus coverage and interviews on various radio stations this morning.

might explain Will H’s LinkedIn post from yesterday:

”There’s no doubt the parking sector is evolving at pace, and that’s exactly why the sector must keep their pen firmly on the Code of Practice. In recent years, we’ve raised standards, adapted to a growing number of vehicles using private land, and embraced rapid advances in technology. The first ever single Code of Practice, published by the The International Parking Community (IPC)  and BPA - British Parking Association  in 2024, reflects government intentions while evolving with the landscape. An update by the panel has already been made to keep up with evolving technology, a clear example of the swift, proactive approach that we are uniquely positioned to deliver.

One of the greatest strengths of the private parking sector is our ability to adapt quickly. If a statutory Code were in place and changes were needed, the time required to implement those updates could mean new challenges take root, technologies move on, and motorists across the UK feel the impact for far too long. In contrast, the sector, informed by real-world knowledge, has shown we can act with speed and relevance. The most recent update to the Code was delivered in a matter of weeks, not years. That kind of agility is exactly what’s needed in today’s fast-moving world.

But it’s not just about speed, it’s about practicality. The government called for a single Code and a single appeals service. The sector delivered: one Code, overseen by a dedicated independent panel to manage updates, and greater consistency across two independent appeals services. We’ve taken the government’s vision and built something that works on the ground. However, we must remain alert to ongoing challenges. Inflation has reduced the deterrent effect of parking charges, non-compliance is increasing, and over 35% of charges are now issued to repeat offenders. These are serious concerns that require timely, flexible responses.

Let’s be clear, this isn’t about protecting industry interests. It’s about ensuring fairness, supporting responsible land use, and maintaining high standards in an increasingly complex parking environment. The sector is best placed to lead that charge, with the knowledge, responsiveness, and practical experience to keep the Code of Practice aligned with the real world. In a sector that moves this fast, we simply can’t afford to fall behind.“

Will Hurley's post demonstrates what's so wrong with the PP sector. Instead of feeling proud he should be embarrassed a code update was forced so soon after the CoP was launched.

The '5 min to pay rule' was well known to Mr Hurley and the BPA...raised over the years by MPs and in motorists appeals yet astonishingly it failed to make the first edition of the sector's single CoP.

That's a clear example of the ATAs protecting the industry's interests. It ensured motorists like Rosie and Hannah couldn't comply and were 'repeat offenders' (Will's words).

Mr Hurley thinks 'one of the greatest strengths of the PP sector is our ability to adapt quickly'. Really? Well there's certainly no evidence of that to the 'faulty payment machine' issue. Asked by media to respond the sector declined!

At least it's good to see the new Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander is getting involved too. "Calling for PP companies to make a “dramatic improvement” in the way they deal with the public. She urged them to do “simple things” such as having “machines and equipment that work”, and being contactable rather than providing “addresses that no-one answers letters from”.

You see Mr Hurley "simple things" there's really nothing complex about managing a car park. It's your sector's goal of generating income from pcns that makes it complex.

I imagine it'll be the same reason the sector has been slow to provide a single appeals service!

https://uk.news.yahoo.com/cornwall-driver-among-thousands-sent-040000808.html

patient_dream

I don't think many people take notice of Hurley, his history with Davies goes without saying, The IPC is not fit for purpose, never has been and government should take their ATA status away before more damage is done to normal folk

Coupon-mad

Simon Williams of the RAC spoke to 5-live and is also on something else - maybe a tv news programme - later today:

Starts 1hr 39mins in https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002b79w

Will Hurley starts around 2hrs 44mins

Coupon-mad

True to form, Hurley  trotted out a pile of tripe including accusing 'repeat offenders' (who he should know full well are mostly genuine residents, often who are covertly caught multiple times during the first days/weeks of moving in and he knows their letters will have gone to their previous addresses) of being perhaps involved in 'organised crime'!

You could not make this stuff up but he did.

He said these 'repeat offender' people 'can't be traced' (errr... yes they can Will, with a bulk soft trace service costing pennies per return) and that this is a problem.

I agree on that final bit.

His member PPCs at residential flats in particular, are causing huge distress and are the problem. By deliberately targeting residents then knowingly using likely old DVLA addresses, then refusing any right to appeal "you're too late to show a permit now" and NOT reissuing PCNs, they are not only making millions under false pretences but they are arguably breaching the CPUTRs.

An offence now the remit of the CMA.

These are the supposed repeat offender group. 90% beleaguered residents. Multiple PCNs due to not even being given or told about a permit when moving in, or due to permits pointlessly having an 'expiry date', or due to flimsy paper permits slipping off the dash... or by PPCs targeting people who don't need a stupid 'permit scheme: £100 per day protection racket of your bay' and often ALREADY HAVE A RIGHT TO PARK.

kryten3000

https://metro.co.uk/2025/04/25/drivers-paying-more-4-000-000-a-day-fines-private-parking-firms-22969529/

This is from the RAC report that WillH is using as an excuse to moan that the RAC don't want to sit down to discuss parking matters with him.