Maria Caulfield MP has welcomed greater protections against bogus parking fines which will tackle some of the parking problem hotspots in both Lewes and Newhaven.
New measures to clamp down on rogue private parking firms have become law. The new Parking (Code of Practice) Act, which received Royal Assent on 15th March, will bring in greater regulation of the private parking industry. Drivers will be able to more easily challenge unfair parking tickets through a new independent appeals service, and all private parking operators will also have to follow a new industry backed Code of Practice.
A new single Code of Practice will ensure parking is consistent, transparent and easier to understand. If private parking firms break it then they could be barred from asking for motorists’ information from the DVLA to enforce tickets. The new independent appeals service will also give drivers greater support to challenge unjustified parking tickets.
Maria Caulfield MP said “ I am inundated every day with complaints from residents in Lewes who have had issues with parking fines in places such as outside Laura Ashley in Lewes. These new measures will help motorists challenge unfair parking tickets and ensure that they are treated fairly by parking companies. Millions of us use private car parks every day, but for far too many drivers slapped with unjust fines this largely unregulated industry feels like the Wild West. Too often, I hear of awful treatment at the hands of dodgy parking firms, from problems paying for parking to intimidating demands for payment and baffling appeals processes. From today, we’re able to cut out the rogue operators by creating a single Code of Practice and giving drivers greater protection through a new appeals service.”
More details on The Parking (Code of Practice) Act can be found at https://services.parliament.uk/bills/2017-19/parkingcodeofpractice.html