Private parking code of practice temporarily withdrawn

The private parking code of practice, designed to end some of the worst practices in the private parking sector and protect drivers, has been withdrawn.

The Government said it was temporarily withdrawing the code of practice pending a review of the levels of private parking charges and additional fees after facing legal challenges from parking operators.

When introduced in February, it meant that private car parks would have to display prices more clearly, introduce a fairer system for appeals and give drivers a grace period for lateness as part of a government crackdown.

Most fines in England, Scotland and Wales were also capped at £50 - down from £100 - although higher fines were to remain for more serious breaches.

RAC head of roads policy, Nicholas Lyes, said: “The new private parking code of practice was designed specifically to make things fairer for drivers and end some of the worst practices in the sector.

“It’s deeply disappointing that the code has been temporarily withdrawn which now almost certainly means yet more delays in it being introduced. Drivers have a right to feel infuriated.”

Lyes continued: “The fact that parking companies take issue with the capping of charge notices and debt recovery fees shows precisely why both the code and the cap are needed.

“For too long, some companies have been allowed to prey mercilessly on drivers who might make an honest mistake and then have to face both over-zealous enforcement and threatening debt recovery letters.

“The Government must stand up to these companies and get the code over the line so we finally have fair and transparent enforcement in the private parking sector.”