Drivers warned new parking warden rules are 'watered down' and 'fall well short' of original promises
Experts warn the Code is not as effective as official legislation
PA
Experts have slammed the new parking Code of Practice as being “totally unacceptable” for drivers who will still continue to be affected by high costs.
The RAC warned that drivers “shouldn’t be fooled” into thinking that the Code is the same as official legislation.
The organisation has been against the Code of Practice since it was first announced by the British Parking Association and the International Parking Community a few months ago.
The RAC warned it is not the same as the official Private Parking Code of Practice which is backed by legislation but failed to pass through Parliament.
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The AA called for the Parking Code to remove debt recovery fees
The new Code, which was unveiled yesterday, hopes to limit the number of drivers being unfairly fined by private parking companies by offering a 10-minute grace period.
However, it has been met with mixed responses by the industry, with the AA stating that the “watered down" Code of Practice falls far short of the standards The AA, Government and consumer groups have called for across many years.
Jack Cousens, head of roads policy for the AA, said: “This self-authored ‘Code’ doesn’t acknowledge the need to cap charges and 'remove debt recovery fees'.
“These elements are desperately needed from a Government-backed Code to protect innocent drivers from the sharks running private car parks.”
Louise Thomas, motor expert at Confused.com, explained that the new Code of Practice aims to make rules around fixed penalty charges fairer for drivers.
Penalties are usually issued by private companies and in the past have faced backlash for a variety of reasons, she remarked.
Thomas added that the planned changes should bring "positive changes" through reduced fees and a more relaxed appeals system.
One of the biggest changes is the amount drivers will pay for parking fines. This will be capped at £100, although it will be reduced to £60 if paid within two weeks.
But Thomas detailed that if a driver gets fined and finds it unfair, the rules can be confusing varying between different types of parking.
RAC head of policy Simon Williams said that despite its objections the group accepts that some of the measures being introduced are an improvement on the status quo.
He added: “We sincerely hope the official Government code will finally come into force later this year, five years after it became law.
“What operators will now be expected to do falls miles short of what drivers have been promised by the Government.”
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Parking fees will be capped at £100
PAThis includes a cap on fines and debt recovery fees, a single independent appeals service, and sanctions against companies that break the rules such as being banned from operating.
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