New parking rules could be delayed again as the Government extends a consultation on measures that could impose new restrictions on motorists.
Labour has extended the end date for its private parking code of practice consultation, with the new deadline being extended to Friday, September 26, 2025.
The consultation looks at how the Government could introduce proposed measures aimed at improving standards in the private parking industry.
It comes ahead of a new Private Parking Code of Practice being introduced, which aims to make parking fairer for motorists after years of criticism against the industry.
Do you have a story you'd like to share? Get in touch by emailing motoring@gbnews.uk
Drivers could be forced to wait longer for reforms to private car parks
|GETTY
The Parking (Code of Practice) Act 2019, which will apply across England, Scotland and Wales, aims to raise standards across the parking industry.
The Government's Code of Practice contains guidance that promotes "good practice" in the operation and management of private parking facilities.
Crucially for motorists, the Code will contain guidance on private parking charges imposed by, or on behalf of, companies providing private parking facilities.
While the consultation is open to the public, the Government said it was especially keen to hear from car park users, motoring groups, the parking industry, landowners and businesses involved in debt recovery.
The new rules could cap the amount drivers have to pay for fines
| GETTYA Code of Practice was originally put forward before Parliament in February 2022 and was due to come into force across the country by the end of 2023.
It called for a £50 cap on parking tickets, in addition to a fairer appeals system and higher standards for signage.
However, it was withdrawn after intense scrutiny from members of the private parking industry, who launched a legal challenge against the Code in June 2022.
In response to the new consultation, Simon Williams, head of policy at the RAC, said a new Code of Practice that is backed by the Government was "desperately needed".
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
He added: "It's important to realise this latest consultation is only happening because the industry successfully prevented the code being put in place after an Act of Parliament was passed six years ago.
"We must now ensure that whatever the Government introduces has sufficient teeth to make a real difference to drivers.
"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."
Data from the RAC Foundation revealed that an average of 35,000 parking tickets are issued by private companies every day.
Private parking firms have come under fire for fining drivers for failing to pay within the first five minutes | GETTYBetween April and December 2023, private parking companies in Great Britain issued almost 10 million parking tickets to motorists.
The Code of Practice could potentially make changes to the debt recovery fee cap, which currently stands at £70.
It also proposes to adopt the Industry Code's rules regarding the five-minute rule, which allows motorists to have a five-minute grace period to pay or leave the car park.
The Government, as well as many motoring groups, are calling on motorists to share their feelings before the new deadline of 11.59pm on Friday, September 26.