The UK’s first parking summit may provide some respite for fleets after it agreed a seven-point plan to tackle cowboy clampers operating on private land.

Parking firms, ministers and motoring groups attended the meeting in the London, including the AA which called for tougher laws to be introduced.

“It cannot be just that there is no independent appeal against a clamp, removal or ticket,” said Edmund King, president of the AA. “We believe that the Government must now regulate the entire private parking enforcement industry or outlaw some of its worst excesses.”

The Government is currently looking at introducing a compulsory licensing scheme for all clamping businesses.

However, the British Parking Association has signed up to a seven-point plan, which will begin to tackle concerns, including how the industry is regulated, consistency in how companies operate and better communication through improved signage.

Meanwhile, Westminster City Council is still considering extending the doubling of the permitted loading time from 20 to 40 minutes for vehicles over 3.5 tonnes to all commercial vehicles in the borough.