Latest news with #JackCousens
Scottish Sun
11-07-2025
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
Fresh Labour U-turn as plans to cut private parking firm fines from £100 to £50 axed in blow to motorists
Read on to find out how drivers could face fines for breaching parking rules, even in life-or-death situations PARK FINE FURY Fresh Labour U-turn as plans to cut private parking firm fines from £100 to £50 axed in blow to motorists Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A GOVERNMENT U-turn on plans to cap private parking firm fines at £50 has been slammed by motoring experts. The AA accused ministers of 'bending the knee to private parking firms' after they diluted proposals aimed at reforming the sector to safeguard drivers. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up What was initially a plan to cap fines at £50 has now been scrapped, retaining the current £100 penalty instead. In a further blow to motorists, ministers propose allowing firms to charge up to £70 merely for sending reminder letters demanding payment. The AA also condemned suggestions that drivers could face £20 fines for breaching parking rules, even in life-or-death situations. The reforms were unveiled for public consultation on Friday, addressing not only price caps but also proposals to standardise parking signage and charge notices. It comes as the number of parking charges issued has soared to record levels. Firms made 12.8 million vehicle keeper requests last year, marking an astonishing 673 per cent rise since 2012. Jack Cousens, head of roads policy for the AA, said: 'This long-awaited consultation will not please drivers and suggests that government is bending the knee to the private parking industry. 'We urge all drivers to complete the consultation and submit their views and experiences when dealing with private parking firms. 'If government can understand the depth of contempt drivers hold against some of these shark-like businesses, maybe it will do more to help innocent drivers." Local Growth Minister Alex Norris insisted: 'From shopping on your local high street to visiting a loved one in hospital, parking is part of everyday life. Drivers warned to beware of common parking scam 'But too many people are being unfairly penalised.' 'That's why our Code will tackle misleading tactics and confusing processes, bringing vital oversight and transparency to raise standards across the board.'
The Irish Sun
11-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
Fresh Labour U-turn as plans to cut private parking firm fines from £100 to £50 axed in blow to motorists
A GOVERNMENT U-turn on plans to cap private parking firm fines at £50 has been slammed by motoring experts. The AA accused ministers of 'bending the knee to private parking firms' after they diluted proposals aimed at reforming the sector to safeguard drivers. Advertisement What was initially a plan to In a further blow to motorists, ministers propose allowing firms to charge up to £70 merely for sending reminder letters demanding payment. The AA also condemned suggestions that drivers could face £20 fines for breaching parking rules, even in life-or-death situations. The reforms were unveiled for public consultation on Friday, addressing not only price caps but also proposals to Advertisement It comes as the number of parking charges issued has soared to record levels. Firms made 12.8 million vehicle keeper requests last year, marking an astonishing 673 per cent rise since 2012. Jack Cousens, head of roads policy for the AA, said: 'This long-awaited consultation will not please drivers and suggests that government is bending the knee to the private parking industry. 'We urge all drivers to complete the consultation and submit their views and experiences when dealing with private parking firms. Advertisement Most read in Motors 'If government can understand the depth of contempt drivers hold against some of these shark-like businesses, maybe it will do more to help innocent drivers." Local Growth Minister Alex Norris insisted: 'From shopping on your local high street to visiting a loved one in hospital, parking is part of everyday life. Drivers warned to beware of common parking scam 'But too many people are being unfairly penalised.' 'That's why our Code will tackle misleading tactics and confusing processes, bringing vital oversight and transparency to raise standards across the board.' Advertisement 1 A plan to cap parking fines at £50 has now been scrapped, retaining the current £100 penalty instead Credit: Getty Everything you need to know about parking Can I get Do I have to pay a Can I be fined if your Is How do I Can you How can I Can I reserve the How close Is Can I park on a single yellow line? Can I be fined for Can I use Who is allowed to Where can I Can I be fined if the How close can I Am I allowed to
Telegraph
11-07-2025
- Automotive
- Telegraph
Ministers ‘bending the knee' to private parking firms
Ministers have been accused of 'bending the knee' to private parking firms after refusing to reduce the maximum amount that motorists can be fined for overstays. The Government has published its plans for a legislation-backed code of practice for private parking companies, in a bid to make the system fairer for drivers. Alex Norris, the local growth minister, pledged that the new rules, now out for consultation, will 'tackle misleading tactics and confusing processes'. It comes after the previous government attempted to crack down on 'rogue' parking operators by introducing a bill to establish a code in 2019. Draft legislation would have meant that by 2025, fines would have been capped at £50 in most areas outside London, apart from in the cases of more serious breaches. But a successful legal challenge by private parking companies meant the government withdrew the legislation in the summer of 2022. The new draft code of conduct maintains the £100 cap, and retains the debt recovery charge, which is currently capped at £70. The AA called on drivers to get in touch with the Government with their concerns, so that ministers will 'do more to help innocent drivers'. Jack Cousens, head of roads policy for the AA, said: 'This long-awaited consultation will not please drivers and suggests that the Government is bending the knee to the private parking industry. 'A higher cap of £100 compared to the original plans of £50, the retention of debt recovery fees, and the inclusion of a £20 so-called 'mitigation' charge does little to offer protection for drivers.' Simon Williams, of the RAC, said drivers 'desperately need' a government-backed private parking code of practice, but it must have 'sufficient teeth to make a real difference'. Analysis by the PA news agency found that drivers were handed a record 14.4 million parking tickets by private companies in the year ending March 2025. It represented a 13 per cent increase from the 12.8 million during the previous 12 months, and more than double the 6.8 million in 2018-2019. The new draft guidance will tighten up the appeals process, so that motorists who breached parking rules in emergency situations, such as breakdowns or sudden illness, are not fined. It also aims to create stricter punishments for operators who are not up to industry standards. Mr Norris said: 'At present, operators can avoid sanctions for poor practice, leaving motorists vulnerable to unfair or incorrect charges. 'The new compliance framework will ensure accountability. Under proposals, operators who breach the Code may lose access to DVLA data required to issue parking charges.'
Powys County Times
11-07-2025
- Automotive
- Powys County Times
Government launches crackdown on ‘misleading' private parking firms
Long-awaited plans to crack down on the 'misleading tactics and confusing processes' used by private parking companies have been launched. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said its consultation on a legislation-backed code of practice for the sector is aimed at creating a 'fairer, more transparent private parking system'. But motoring groups warned the proposals do not go far enough. Analysis earlier this week by the PA news agency found Britain's drivers were handed a record 14.4 million parking tickets by private companies in the year to the end of March. That was a 13% increase from the 12.8 million during the previous 12 months, and more than double the 6.8 million in 2018/2019. Each ticket can be up to £100, meaning the total daily cost to drivers may be near £3.9 million at the current rate. Local growth minister Alex Norris said: 'From shopping on your local high street to visiting a loved one in hospital, parking is part of everyday life. 'But too many people are being unfairly penalised. 'That's why our code will tackle misleading tactics and confusing processes, bringing vital oversight and transparency to raise standards across the board. 'This is another example of how we are fixing the things that really impact people's day-to-day lives.' Companies chase vehicle owners for alleged infringements in private car parks, such as at shopping centres, leisure facilities and motorway service areas. Some parking businesses have been accused of using misleading and confusing signs, aggressive debt collection and unreasonable fees. It emerged in April that many drivers are being sent tickets they claim are unfair because of how some payment machines operate, with one campaigner claiming the devices are 'set up to trap people'. Some machines which require users to input their vehicle registration accept payment after only one letter is entered. This has led to multiple cases of drivers paying the required parking fee but still being sent a parking charge notice when their vehicle was detected by automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras. AA head of roads policy Jack Cousens said the details of the consultation document 'will not please drivers' and suggests the Government is 'bending the knee' to the private parking industry. He went on: 'A higher cap of £100 compared to the original plans of £50, the retention of debt recovery fees and the inclusion of a £20 so-called mitigation charge does little to offer protection for drivers. 'We urge all drivers to complete the consultation and submit their views and experiences when dealing with private parking firms. 'If Government can understand the depth of contempt drivers hold against some of these shark-like businesses, maybe it will do more to help innocent drivers.' RAC head of policy Simon Williams said drivers 'desperately need' a government-backed private parking code of practice, but it must have 'sufficient teeth to make a real difference'. He added: 'We urge every driver who has been issued a parking charge notice that they didn't feel was fair to share their views on the consultation.' Industry body the British Parking Association said in a statement 'We believe parking systems must strike a balance: they should deter selfish and anti-social behaviour, but they must also be fair, proportionate and transparent. 'That's why we will continue to work closely with the Government throughout this consultation, to help deliver a code that works for everyone: drivers, communities and responsible operators.' The consultation will run for eight weeks. A Bill to enable the introduction of a legislation-backed code of conduct received royal assent in March 2019. This code – scheduled to come into force across Britain by the end of 2023 – included halving the cap on tickets for most parking offences to £50, creating a fairer appeals system, and banning the use of aggressive language on tickets.
South Wales Guardian
11-07-2025
- Automotive
- South Wales Guardian
Government launches crackdown on ‘misleading' private parking firms
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said its consultation on a legislation-backed code of practice for the sector is aimed at creating a 'fairer, more transparent private parking system'. But motoring groups warned the proposals do not go far enough. Analysis earlier this week by the PA news agency found Britain's drivers were handed a record 14.4 million parking tickets by private companies in the year to the end of March. That was a 13% increase from the 12.8 million during the previous 12 months, and more than double the 6.8 million in 2018/2019. Each ticket can be up to £100, meaning the total daily cost to drivers may be near £3.9 million at the current rate. Local growth minister Alex Norris said: 'From shopping on your local high street to visiting a loved one in hospital, parking is part of everyday life. 'But too many people are being unfairly penalised. 'That's why our code will tackle misleading tactics and confusing processes, bringing vital oversight and transparency to raise standards across the board. 'This is another example of how we are fixing the things that really impact people's day-to-day lives.' Companies chase vehicle owners for alleged infringements in private car parks, such as at shopping centres, leisure facilities and motorway service areas. Some parking businesses have been accused of using misleading and confusing signs, aggressive debt collection and unreasonable fees. It emerged in April that many drivers are being sent tickets they claim are unfair because of how some payment machines operate, with one campaigner claiming the devices are 'set up to trap people'. Some machines which require users to input their vehicle registration accept payment after only one letter is entered. This has led to multiple cases of drivers paying the required parking fee but still being sent a parking charge notice when their vehicle was detected by automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras. AA head of roads policy Jack Cousens said the details of the consultation document 'will not please drivers' and suggests the Government is 'bending the knee' to the private parking industry. He went on: 'A higher cap of £100 compared to the original plans of £50, the retention of debt recovery fees and the inclusion of a £20 so-called mitigation charge does little to offer protection for drivers. 'We urge all drivers to complete the consultation and submit their views and experiences when dealing with private parking firms. 'If Government can understand the depth of contempt drivers hold against some of these shark-like businesses, maybe it will do more to help innocent drivers.' RAC head of policy Simon Williams said drivers 'desperately need' a government-backed private parking code of practice, but it must have 'sufficient teeth to make a real difference'. He added: 'We urge every driver who has been issued a parking charge notice that they didn't feel was fair to share their views on the consultation.' Industry body the British Parking Association said in a statement 'We believe parking systems must strike a balance: they should deter selfish and anti-social behaviour, but they must also be fair, proportionate and transparent. 'That's why we will continue to work closely with the Government throughout this consultation, to help deliver a code that works for everyone: drivers, communities and responsible operators.' The consultation will run for eight weeks. A Bill to enable the introduction of a legislation-backed code of conduct received royal assent in March 2019. This code – scheduled to come into force across Britain by the end of 2023 – included halving the cap on tickets for most parking offences to £50, creating a fairer appeals system, and banning the use of aggressive language on tickets. But it was withdrawn by the Conservative government in June 2022 after a legal challenge by parking companies.
