Latest news with #WillHurley
Daily Record
06-05-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Record
Parking boss says it is 'easy to beat the system' as 41,000 fines a day issued
Will Hurley, chief executive of trade body the International Parking Community (IPC), said operators want drivers to park "where they need to, when they need to" without breaking any rules Despite the staggering figure of approximately 41,000 parking tickets being issued daily in Britain, an industry leader has claimed that private parking companies "don't want to issue parking charges". Will Hurley, chief executive of the International Parking Community (IPC), also said it's easy to 'beat the system' - a claim many will question. He insists that operators prefer drivers to park "where they need to, when they need to" without violating any regulations. Private parking firms have faced criticism for employing misleading and unclear signage, aggressive debt collection tactics, and imposing unreasonable fees, reports Bristol Live. Addressing these claims when speaking to the PA news agency, Mr Hurley stated: "Any business is there to make money. But the reality is, the vast majority of money that comes in in the parking industry comes from people paying for parking." These private entities pursue vehicle owners for alleged violations in private car parks, such as those at shopping centres, leisure facilities, and motorway service areas. They issue parking charge notices (PCNs) – essentially invoices or demands for payment – when they allege a breach of the land owner's rules, such as incorrect registration entry into a machine, overstaying, or not parking within a designated bay. 'It's easy to beat the system' in car parks in UK Each ticket can cost up to £100, with a minimum discount of 40% if settled within 14 days. The most recent accounts for ParkingEye, the UK's largest private parking company, reveal a pre-tax profit of £16.1 million in 2023, a significant increase from £10.9 million the previous year. Mr Hurley implied it is "easy to beat the system" for those wary of parking operators, advising: "If you're thinking about it, just don't park in a way that gets a parking charge. "If you're really that upset by it, just follow the signs. If the signs are unclear, go and park somewhere else." He further pointed out: "Parking operators don't want to issue charges. They want people to park where they need to, when they need to." In figures indicative of the number of PCNs being issued by private companies, the six months to the end of September 2019 shows the average daily rate was 24,000, while between April to the end of September 2024, car park management firms submitted a staggering 7.2 million requests to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) for access to vehicle keeper records - data which is often used to send out PCNs. This figure marks a 12% increase compared to the same timeframe the previous year, averaging at about 41,000 requests every single day. The IPC links the steep rise in ticketing to the fact there are currently more than five times more UK sites under parking management than there were a decade ago, along with vehicle registrations surging by 21% since 2012. Last month, it was revealed that a number of drivers are contending with unjust parking fines due to certain problematic payment machines, prompting one campaigner to assert these devices are "set up to trap people". A particular issue has arisen that sees machines move on to payment after only a single character of the vehicle registration is inputted, leading to incidents where motorists fulfil the parking charge yet receive a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) because automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras did not match their full details. Mr Hurley commented, "I don't think that's helpful", adding: "I believe that the minimum thing that should happen if you're required to put a registration number in, is you should be required to confirm your registration number before you go on to the payment bit." But the realities of rectifying such problems nationwide did not escape his notice, with Mr Hurley saying: "How quickly can that be implicated across 50,000 locations in the country? Not overnight, but we've got to take steps in that direction." Code of practice for private parking operators Powers for a Government-endorsed code of practice for private parking operators secured Royal assent during the Conservative government in March 2019. However, it was rescinded in June 2022 following a legal dispute initiated by parking companies. The Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government has indicated its intention to reveal more information about re-establishing the code "as soon as possible". Mr Hurley said: "There's nobody that's supported the Government more than us in terms of introducing a single code of practice." Yet RAC's head of policy, Simon Williams, commented: "If private companies really don't want to issue tickets, they should make their signs clearer and easier to understand. Avoiding a charge is the opposite of easy in some locations. "We've heard stories of machines that aren't working, as well as ones that skip ahead to payment after entering one or two numbers or letters, or ones that record different letters to those keyed in. The fact remains the Government's code of practice needs to be brought in as soon as possible." Furthermore, Mr Williams demanded the parking industry be "transparent about the number of complaints it receives from drivers who believe they've been treated unfairly". The matter is set to spark further discussions as Parliament convenes for a Westminster Hall debate on the sector this coming Tuesday.
The Independent
06-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Independent
Drivers urged to ‘beat the system' after record number of parking tickets issued
Despite issuing approximately 41,000 tickets daily in Britain, private parking companies 'don't want to issue parking charges', according to an industry leader. Will Hurley, chief executive of the International Parking Community (IPC), said that operators want drivers to park legally and conveniently. He said: "Any business is there to make money. But the reality is, the vast majority of money that comes in in the parking industry comes from people paying for parking." This comes amid accusations against private parking firms of employing misleading signage, aggressive debt collection tactics, and excessive fees. These companies pursue vehicle owners for alleged violations in private car parks, such as those at shopping centres, leisure facilities, and motorway service areas. They issue parking charge notices (PCNs) – which are invoices or demands for money – when they claim someone has breached the land owner's rules, for example not entering their registration correctly into a machine, overstaying or not parking within a bay. Each ticket can be up to £100, with a minimum discount of 40 per cent if paid within 14 days. The latest published accounts for ParkingEye, the UK's biggest private parking company, show it made a pre-tax profit of £16.1 million in 2023, up from £10.9 million a year earlier. It is 'easy to beat the system' for anyone who believes parking operators may attempt to profit by sending them a PCN, Mr Hurley said. He went on: 'If you're thinking about it, just don't park in a way that gets a parking charge. 'If you're really that upset by it, just follow the signs. If the signs are unclear, go and park somewhere else.' He added: 'Parking operators don't want to issue charges. They want people to park where they need to, when they need to.' In the six months to the end of September 2024, car park management companies made 7.2 million requests to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) for vehicle keeper records, which they use to send PCNs. That is up 12 per cent from the same period a year earlier and represents an average of 41,000 requests per day. In the six months to the end of September 2019, the average daily rate was 24,000. The figures are indicative of the number of PCNs being issued by private companies. The IPC insists the jump in tickets is 'directly linked' to the number of UK locations being managed by parking companies being more than five times higher than in 2012, and a 21 per cent increase in the number of registered vehicles over the same period. It emerged last month 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 being entered. This has led to multiple cases of drivers paying the required parking fee but still being sent a PCN when their vehicle was detected by automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras. Mr Hurley said 'I don't think that's helpful' and revealed he wants to see the issue eradicated as part of payment machine 'minimum standards' being developed by the IPC. He continued: 'I believe that the minimum thing that should happen if you're required to put a registration number in, is you should be required to confirm your registration number before you go on to the payment bit. 'How quickly can that be implicated across 50,000 locations in the country? 'Not overnight, but we've got to take steps in that direction.' 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. The code was withdrawn in June 2022 after a legal challenge by parking companies. The Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government has said it will set out further details on re-introducing the code 'as soon as possible'. Mr Hurley insisted 'there's nobody that's supported the Government more than us in terms of introducing a single code of practice'. RAC head of policy Simon Williams said: 'If private companies really don't want to issue tickets, they should make their signs clearer and easier to understand. 'Avoiding a charge is the opposite of easy in some locations. 'We've heard stories of machines that aren't working, as well as ones that skip ahead to payment after entering one or two numbers or letters, or ones that record different letters to those keyed in. 'The fact remains the Government's code of practice needs to be brought in as soon as possible.' Mr Williams also called for the parking industry to be 'transparent about the number of complaints it receives from drivers who believe they've been treated unfairly'.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Parking boss blames drivers for record number tickets issued
MIDNIGHT EMBARGO - please schedule for 6.15am by Telegraph Reporters A parking boss appeared to blame drivers for record numbers of tickets, with some 41,000 handed out in Britain each day. Will Hurley, chief executive of trade body the International Parking Community (IPC), insisted that private parking companies 'don't want to issue parking charges'. Private parking businesses have been accused of using misleading and confusing signs, aggressive debt collection and unreasonable fees. They chase vehicle owners for alleged infringements in private car parks, such as at shopping centres, leisure facilities and motorway service areas. The firms issue parking charge notices (PCNs) - which are invoices or demands for money - when they claim someone has breached the land owner's rules, for example not entering their registration correctly into a machine, overstaying or not parking within a bay. Each ticket can be up to £100, with a minimum discount of 40 per cent if paid within 14 days. It is 'easy to beat the system' for anyone who believes parking operators may attempt to profit by sending them a PCN, Mr Hurley said. He went on: 'If you're thinking about it, just don't park in a way that gets a parking charge. 'If you're really that upset by it, just follow the signs. If the signs are unclear, go and park somewhere else.' He added: 'Parking operators don't want to issue charges. They want people to park where they need to, when they need to.' In the six months to the end of September 2024, car park management companies made 7.2 million requests to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) for vehicle keeper records, which they use to send PCNs. That is up 12 per cent from the same period a year earlier and represents an average of 41,000 requests per day. In the six months to the end of September 2019 the average daily rate was 24,000. The figures are indicative of the number of PCNs being issued by private companies. The IPC insists the jump in tickets is 'directly linked' to the number of UK locations being managed by parking companies being more than five times higher than in 2012, and a 21 per cent increase in the number of registered vehicles over the same period. It emerged last month 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 being entered. This has led to multiple cases of drivers paying the required parking fee but still being sent a PCN when their vehicle was detected by automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras. Mr Hurley said 'I don't think that's helpful' and revealed he wants to see the issue eradicated as part of payment machine 'minimum standards' being developed by the IPC. He continued: 'I believe that the minimum thing that should happen if you're required to put a registration number in, is you should be required to confirm your registration number before you go on to the payment bit. 'How quickly can that be implicated across 50,000 locations in the country? 'Not overnight, but we've got to take steps in that direction.' 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. The code was withdrawn in June 2022 after a legal challenge by parking companies. The Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government has said it will set out further details on re-introducing the code 'as soon as possible'. Mr Hurley insisted that 'there's nobody that's supported the Government more than us in terms of introducing a single code of practice'. Simon Williams, the RAC head of policy, said: 'If private companies really don't want to issue tickets, they should make their signs clearer and easier to understand. 'Avoiding a charge is the opposite of easy in some locations. 'We've heard stories of machines that aren't working, as well as ones that skip ahead to payment after entering one or two numbers or letters, or ones that record different letters to those keyed in. 'The fact remains the Government's code of practice needs to be brought in as soon as possible.' Mr Williams also called for the parking industry to be 'transparent about the number of complaints it receives from drivers who believe they've been treated unfairly'. Parliament will host a Westminster Hall debate on the sector on Tuesday. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
06-05-2025
- Automotive
- Telegraph
Parking boss ‘blames' drivers for record number tickets issued
A parking boss has suggested drivers are to blame for the record number of tickets issued in the UK, with 41,000 handed out daily. Will Hurley, chief executive of trade body the International Parking Community (IPC), insisted that private parking companies 'didn't want to issue parking charges'. Private parking firms have been accused of using misleading and confusing signs, aggressive debt collection and unreasonable fees. They issue parking charge notices (PCNs) to vehicle owners for alleged breaches, such as incorrect registration entries, overstaying, or not parking within designated bays in private car parks. Each ticket can be up to £100, with a minimum discount of 40 per cent if paid within 14 days. It is 'easy to beat the system' for anyone who believes parking operators may attempt to profit by sending them a PCN, Mr Hurley said. 'Operators don't want to issue charges' He went on: 'If you're thinking about it, just don't park in a way that gets a parking charge. If you're really that upset by it, just follow the signs. If the signs are unclear, go and park somewhere else.' He added: 'Parking operators don't want to issue charges. They want people to park where they need to, when they need to.' In the six months to the end of September 2024, car park management companies made 7.2 million requests to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) for vehicle keeper records, which they use to send PCNs. That is up 12 per cent from the same period a year earlier and represents an average of 41,000 requests per day. In the six months to the end of September 2019 the average daily rate was 24,000. The figures are indicative of the number of PCNs being issued by private companies. The IPC insists the jump in tickets is 'directly linked' to the number of UK locations being managed by parking companies being more than five times higher than in 2012, and a 21 per cent increase in the number of registered vehicles over the same period. 'Set up to trap people' It emerged last month 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 being entered. This has led to multiple cases of drivers paying the required parking fee but still being sent a PCN when their vehicle was detected by automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras. Mr Hurley said he didn't think that was helpful and revealed he wanted to see the problem eradicated as part of 'minimum standards' being developed by the IPC. He continued: 'I believe that the minimum thing that should happen if you're required to put a registration number in, is you should be required to confirm your registration number before you go on to the payment bit. 'How quickly can that be implemented across 50,000 locations in the country? Not overnight, but we've got to take steps in that direction.' Single code of practice needed 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. The code was withdrawn in June 2022 after a legal challenge by parking companies. The Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government has said it will set out further details on re-introducing the code 'as soon as possible'. Mr Hurley insisted that 'there's nobody that's supported the Government more than us in terms of introducing a single code of practice'. Simon Williams, the RAC head of policy, said: 'If private companies really don't want to issue tickets, they should make their signs clearer and easier to understand. Avoiding a charge is the opposite of easy in some locations. 'We've heard stories of machines that aren't working and ones that skip ahead to payment after entering one number or letter, or ones that record different letters to those keyed in. The fact remains the government's code of practice needs to be brought in as soon as possible.' Mr Williams also called for the parking industry to be 'transparent about the number of complaints it receives from drivers who believe they've been treated unfairly'. Parliament will host a Westminster Hall debate on the sector on Tuesday.
Wales Online
06-05-2025
- Automotive
- Wales Online
Parking industry boss says 'park properly and you won't get a ticket'
Parking industry boss says 'park properly and you won't get a ticket' The industry is 'there to make money like any business' as it hands out 41,000 penalties a day Car parking fine under a windscreen wiper Private parking companies 'don't want to issue parking charges', an industry leader has insisted, despite around 41,000 tickets being handed out in Britain each day. Will Hurley, chief executive of trade body the International Parking Community (IPC), said operators want drivers to park 'where they need to, when they need to' without breaking any rules. Private parking businesses have been accused of using misleading and confusing signs, aggressive debt collection and unreasonable fees. Mr Hurley told the PA news agency: 'Any business is there to make money. But the reality is, the vast majority of money that comes in in the parking industry comes from people paying for parking.' Private companies chase vehicle owners for alleged infringements in private car parks, such as at shopping centres, leisure facilities and motorway service areas. They issue parking charge notices (PCNs) – which are invoices or demands for money – when they claim someone has breached the land owner's rules, for example not entering their registration correctly into a machine, overstaying or not parking within a bay. Each ticket can be up to £100, with a minimum discount of 40% if paid within 14 days. The latest published accounts for ParkingEye, the UK's biggest private parking company, show it made a pre-tax profit of £16.1 million in 2023, up from £10.9 million a year earlier. It is 'easy to beat the system' for anyone who believes parking operators may attempt to profit by sending them a PCN, Mr Hurley said. He went on: 'If you're thinking about it, just don't park in a way that gets a parking charge. 'If you're really that upset by it, just follow the signs. If the signs are unclear, go and park somewhere else.' Article continues below He added: 'Parking operators don't want to issue charges. They want people to park where they need to, when they need to.' In the six months to the end of September 2024, car park management companies made 7.2 million requests to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) for vehicle keeper records, which they use to send PCNs. That is up 12% from the same period a year earlier and represents an average of 41,000 requests per day. In the six months to the end of September 2019 the average daily rate was 24,000. The figures are indicative of the number of PCNs being issued by private companies. The IPC insists the jump in tickets is 'directly linked' to the number of UK locations being managed by parking companies being more than five times higher than in 2012, and a 21% increase in the number of registered vehicles over the same period. It emerged last month 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 being entered. This has led to multiple cases of drivers paying the required parking fee but still being sent a PCN when their vehicle was detected by automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras. Mr Hurley said 'I don't think that's helpful' and revealed he wants to see the issue eradicated as part of payment machine 'minimum standards' being developed by the IPC. He continued: 'I believe that the minimum thing that should happen if you're required to put a registration number in, is you should be required to confirm your registration number before you go on to the payment bit. 'How quickly can that be implicated across 50,000 locations in the country? Not overnight, but we've got to take steps in that direction.' 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. The code was withdrawn in June 2022 after a legal challenge by parking companies. The Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government has said it will set out further details on re-introducing the code 'as soon as possible'. Mr Hurley insisted 'there's nobody that's supported the Government more than us in terms of introducing a single code of practice'. RAC head of policy Simon Williams said: 'If private companies really don't want to issue tickets, they should make their signs clearer and easier to understand. Avoiding a charge is the opposite of easy in some locations. Article continues below 'We've heard stories of machines that aren't working, as well as ones that skip ahead to payment after entering one or two numbers or letters, or ones that record different letters to those keyed in. The fact remains the Government's code of practice needs to be brought in as soon as possible.' Mr Williams also called for the parking industry to be 'transparent about the number of complaints it receives from drivers who believe they've been treated unfairly'. Parliament will host a Westminster Hall debate on the sector on Tuesday.
