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Scottish Sun
21-05-2025
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
Major parking change for ALL drivers in England kicks in – bringing huge relief for millions hit with unfair fines
Keep reading to learn more about how the changes affect you FINE & DANDY Major parking change for ALL drivers in England kicks in – bringing huge relief for millions hit with unfair fines Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A MAJOR parking change is set to kick in for all drivers in England, bringing relief to millions. Labour has backed the introduction of a new app in the near future that will offer motorists an easier way to pay for their parking. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 The new platform means motorists won't have to download multiple parking apps Credit: Getty The National Parking Platform will allow drivers to pay for parking through a single app in an industry first. The "one app fits all" platform means you will no longer have to download multiple apps for different operators. It follows successful trials launched by the Government and the British Parking Association, which will now roll out the new platform. The changes are an effort to provide clarity and offer a simpler option to drivers. The Government say the new platform will allow drivers to pay for parking in all participating car parks on their preferred app, providing a more flexible parking experience. Led by the British Parking Association, it will be delivered by a consortium of industry leaders, including Ring Go, JustPark and PayByPhone. At present, drivers face inconsistent rules and barriers when using car parks across the UK. The Government claim the National Parking Platform will remedy this and connect participating car parks to a shared platform. Drivers should then be able to pay using any approved app in a bid to reduce confusion and the chance of fines. Minister of the Future of Roads, Lilian Greenwood, said: "This government is on the side of drivers and dedicated to giving everyone simpler, more flexible parking. "I'm delighted that this fantastic project is being taken on by the parking sector with no extra cost to taxpayers. "This is public infrastructure done right: built by government, shaped with councils and now delivered by the sector that knows it best, at a time where we're investing a record £1.6 billion through our Plan for Change, to mend our pothole-ridden roads that damage cars and £4.8 billion to deliver new road infrastructure that will better connect people." The parking sector is set to work with councils to run the new platform on a not-for-profit basis. The Government will maintain oversight of the platform which has already been rolled out in 10 local authorities. The new consortium will now look to onboard more local authorities across the nation. BPA Chief Executive, Andrew Pester, said: "Today's announcement marks the result of 6 years of dedicated work by our parking sector to make paying for parking easier. "We've strongly supported the National Parking Platform from the start, so we're thrilled with this outcome and excited to collaborate with the Department for Transport and the new NPP company to create a better parking experience for all drivers." The platform is also an effort to crack down on private parking firms Before February, drivers using car parks with camera technology could be fined for failing to pay in the first five minutes of their stay. The change was put in place after Rosey Hudson was charged £1,906 for taking more than five minutes to pay for her parking. Instead of paying in the first five minutes of their stay, Brits now need to pay before leaving the car park. This change applies to all car parks using ANPR technology. However, the rule change will not apply to privately run car parks without camera technology or to sites run by firms who aren't registered with the BPA or IPC. The rules are part of the Private Parking Code of Practice, a voluntary set of guidelines established by the BPA or IPC.
The Irish Sun
21-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
Major parking change for ALL drivers in England kicks in – bringing huge relief for millions hit with unfair fines
A MAJOR parking change is set to kick in for all drivers in England, bringing relief to millions. Labour has backed the introduction of a new app in the near future that will offer motorists an easier way to pay for their parking. 2 The new platform means motorists won't have to download multiple parking apps Credit: Getty The National Parking Platform will allow drivers to pay for The "one app fits all" platform means you will no longer have to download multiple apps for different operators. It follows successful trials launched by the Government and the British Parking Association, which will now roll out the new platform. The changes are an effort to provide clarity and offer a simpler option to drivers. Read more Motors news The Government say the new platform will allow drivers to pay for parking in all participating car parks on their preferred app, providing a more flexible parking experience. Led by the British Parking Association, it will be delivered by a consortium of industry leaders, including At present, drivers face inconsistent rules and barriers when using car parks across the UK. The Government claim the National Parking Platform will remedy this and connect participating car parks to a shared platform. Most read in Motors Drivers should then be able to pay using any approved app in a bid to reduce confusion and the chance of fines. Minister of the Future of Roads, Lilian Greenwood, said: "This government is on the side of drivers and dedicated to giving everyone simpler, more flexible parking. "I'm delighted that this fantastic project is being taken on by the parking sector with no extra cost to taxpayers. "This is public infrastructure done right: built by government, shaped with councils and now delivered by the sector that knows it best, at a time where we're investing a record £1.6 billion through our Plan for Change, to mend our pothole-ridden roads that damage cars and £4.8 billion to deliver new road infrastructure that will better connect people." The parking sector is set to work with councils to run the new platform on a not-for-profit basis. The Government will maintain oversight of the platform which has already been rolled out in 10 local authorities. The new consortium will now look to onboard more local authorities across the nation. BPA Chief Executive, Andrew Pester, said: "Today's announcement marks the result of 6 years of dedicated work by our parking sector to make paying for parking easier. "We've strongly supported the National Parking Platform from the start, so we're thrilled with this outcome and excited to collaborate with the Department for Transport and the new NPP company to create a better parking experience for all drivers." The platform is also an effort to crack down on private parking firms Before February, drivers using car parks with camera technology could be fined for failing to pay in the first five minutes of their stay. The change was put in place after for taking more than five minutes to pay for her parking. Instead of paying in the first five minutes of their stay, Brits now need to pay before leaving the car park. This change applies to all car parks using However, the rule change will not apply to privately run car parks without The rules are part of the Private Parking Code of Practice, a voluntary set of guidelines established by the BPA or IPC. 2 In February, rules for parking changed after a huge backlash Credit: Getty
Auto Express
21-05-2025
- Automotive
- Auto Express
Single platform to simplify car parking payments goes nationwide
Following successful trials involving 10 local councils operating car parks, the long-heralded National Parking Platform (NPP) is being rolled out in an effort to simplify the parking experience for drivers. The Department for Transport (DfT) has commissioned the British Parking Association trade body to take forward development of the platform 'at no cost to the taxpayer', following liaison with major parking app operators such as RingGo, JustPark and PayByPhone. Announcing the move today, the DfT says the new platform 'will enable drivers to pay for parking in all participating car parks on their preferred app – ending the scramble to download multiple apps and encouraging a more flexible parking experience'. Advertisement - Article continues below According to the DfT, drivers currently face inconsistent rules around parking, user experiences it describes as 'clunky', and 'unnecessary barriers' to parking, which should be much simpler. The new NPP will mean participating car parks can accept payment via any approved smartphone app, which the DfT says will reduce confusion, minimise the risk of fines, and create a fairer, more competitive parking market. 'This is public infrastructure done right: built by Government, shaped with councils and now delivered by the sector that knows it best,' boasted the minister for the future of roads, Lilian Greenwood. 'This Government is on the side of drivers and dedicated to giving everyone simpler, more flexible parking,' she said. 'I'm delighted that this fantastic project is being taken on by the parking sector with no extra cost to taxpayers' The new agreement with the British Parking Association will see operators working with councils to run the NPP on a not-for-profit basis. The DfT says the new platform will operate under 'clear terms to ensure transparency, sustainability and public value, with government oversight to ensure compliance. 'The new consortium will be onboarding more local authorities imminently to ensure that easier, simpler parking is rolled out to more drivers as soon as possible,' Andrew Pester, BPA Chief Executive, said. RAC senior policy officer Rod Dennis commented that If the arrival of a National Parking Platform removes the hassle from parking, it's a move to be welcomed – but cautioned that the key would be ensuring as many car park operators as possible sign up. 'Ten local authorities taking part is a good start, but drivers wherever they are in the country should be allowed to use whatever mobile app they want,' he said, adding that all councils should provide alternative payment methods, including contactless card payments, for drivers who can't use mobile apps or choose not to. Want the latest car news in your inbox? Sign up to the free Auto Express email newsletter...
The Independent
12-02-2025
- Automotive
- The Independent
Parking firms promise to end ‘unfair' fine for drivers who use car parks
Private parking firms have pledged to end fines for drivers who take too long to pay. Previously, drivers faced penalties if payment wasn't made within a specific timeframe after entering a car park, sometimes leading to hefty fines. One case highlighted by the BBC in November 2024 involved a woman facing a £1,906 court claim after poor mobile signal repeatedly delayed her payment at a Derby car park. Now, the British Parking Association (BPA) and the International Parking Community (IPC) are updating their code of conduct. From Monday, a new 'safeguard' will protect motorists experiencing payment delays in privately owned, camera-monitored car parks. As long as payment is made before exiting, drivers will no longer receive tickets. This change, however, will not apply to council-run car parks or those patrolled by wardens. The update comes from a panel established by the BPA and IPC last month. IPC chief executive Will Hurley said: 'It is crucial that there is a mechanism to identify and resolve issues quickly. 'I am pleased that the panel has acted swiftly to introduce safeguards for motorists. 'It is important drivers play their part by reading and following instructions on signage when parking their vehicle.' BPA chief executive Andrew Pester said: 'It is a real testament to the (panel) that this change has been implemented so efficiently. 'The parking sector is always striving to ensure it operates in the interest of compliant motorists and to ensure that parking is fairly managed for all. 'This change is another important step in achieving this.' Motoring groups reiterated their calls for a legislation-led code of practice to be introduced. AA head of roads policy Jack Cousens said: 'This change to the self-authored code by private parking operators only highlights the urgent necessity to implement the Government-backed code of practice alongside a truly independent single appeals process and oversight board. 'Until the statutory system is in place, drivers will continue to receive aggressive letters from shark-like companies that scare people into payment even though they may have done nothing wrong.' RAC head of policy Simon Williams said: 'This is the latest attempt to make the private parking industry look fair. 'As there's no information on how the change will work in practice, we fear it will make little difference to drivers.' A Bill to enable the introduction of a Government-backed code for private parking companies received royal assent under the Conservative government in March 2019. It was withdrawn in June 2022 after a legal challenge by parking companies. This code 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. The BPA and IPC's own code of practice was introduced in June 2024. Private parking businesses have been accused of using misleading and confusing signs, aggressive debt collection and unreasonable fees. Drivers in Britain are being hit by an average of more than 41,000 parking tickets a day by private companies. Some 3.8 million tickets were handed out between July and September 2024, according to analysis of Government data by the PA news agency and motoring research charity the RAC Foundation. Each ticket can be up to £100, meaning the total cost to drivers may be near £4.1 million per day.
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Huge change in parking rules from Monday to stop drivers getting tickets
Private parking companies have pledged to stop penalising drivers for taking too long to pay. Drivers using private car parks have been handed tickets as their payment was not made within a certain time after their arrival. In November 2024, the BBC reported that a woman was being taken to court by a private parking company for £1,906 after poor mobile phone signal meant she repeatedly took more than five minutes to pay after entering a car park in Derby. Two industry bodies representing the sector announced their code of conduct will be updated from Monday to provide a 'safeguard' when motorists experience delays in making parking payments. The British Parking Association (BPA) and the International Parking Community (IPC) said drivers should no longer be issued tickets for using privately owned car parks where a fixed camera monitors when cars enter and exit, as long as they pay before they leave. The change, which will not apply to council-run car parks or those where wardens are deployed, is being made by a panel established by the industry bodies last month. READ MORE: Married children's home worker 'encouraged boy to go missing and asked for love bite' READ MORE: Baby died at three weeks old after mum told she was 'being paranoid' IPC chief executive Will Hurley said: 'It is crucial that there is a mechanism to identify and resolve issues quickly. I am pleased that the panel has acted swiftly to introduce safeguards for motorists. It is important drivers play their part by reading and following instructions on signage when parking their vehicle.' BPA chief executive Andrew Pester said: 'It is a real testament to the (panel) that this change has been implemented so efficiently. The parking sector is always striving to ensure it operates in the interest of compliant motorists and to ensure that parking is fairly managed for all. 'This change is another important step in achieving this.' Motoring groups reiterated their calls for a legislation-led code of practice to be introduced. AA head of roads policy Jack Cousens said: 'This change to the self-authored code by private parking operators only highlights the urgent necessity to implement the Government-backed code of practice alongside a truly independent single appeals process and oversight board. 'Until the statutory system is in place, drivers will continue to receive aggressive letters from shark-like companies that scare people into payment even though they may have done nothing wrong.' RAC head of policy Simon Williams said: 'This is the latest attempt to make the private parking industry look fair. 'As there's no information on how the change will work in practice, we fear it will make little difference to drivers.' A Bill to enable the introduction of a Government-backed code for private parking companies received royal assent under the Conservative government in March 2019. It was withdrawn in June 2022 after a legal challenge by parking companies. This code 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. The BPA and IPC's own code of practice was introduced in June 2024. Private parking businesses have been accused of using misleading and confusing signs, aggressive debt collection and unreasonable fees. Drivers in Britain are being hit by an average of more than 41,000 parking tickets a day by private companies. Some 3.8 million tickets were handed out between July and September 2024, according to analysis of Government data by the PA news agency and motoring research charity the RAC Foundation. Each ticket can be up to £100, meaning the total cost to drivers may be near £4.1 million per day.
