BPA CALLS FOR BETTER REGULATION FOR THE PRIVATE PARKING SECTOR

The good management of car parks is essential to successful town centres and High Streets. Motorists want to park in accessible and safe car parks that represent good value for money and they want to be treated fairly should the need arise to take enforcement action.


The British Parking Association (BPA) believes the best solution is for government to establish a single standard setting body (SSB), a single code of practice and a single appeals service. This would be in the interests of consumers and the entire parking sector, building on the foundations the BPA established by launching its Approved Operators Scheme (AOS) in 2007 which became the model for Accredited Trade Associations (ATA).


BPA Chief Executive Patrick Troy says "The new government can grasp the opportunity to really make a difference by introducing some light touch regulation in order to deliver a better deal for both motorists and landowners. Continuing with multiple codes of practice, multiple appeals services, and variable auditing and sanctions regimes is unfair and confusing for motorists and businesses alike. The BPA believes in putting the consumer at the heart of any solution and we believe that this proposal will meet consumer concerns about the private parking sector and lead to higher standards and comprehensive independent redress."


The BPA recently appointed The Ombudsman Services to succeed London Councils as the service provider for the Parking on Private Land Appeals Service (POPLA) from 1st October 2015. The Independent Scrutiny Board for Parking Appeals (ISPA) will continue to scrutinise POPLA to ensure that the service they deliver continues to be independent and be seen to be independent. Since POPLA's launch by the BPA on October 1st 2012, over 65,000 appeals have been considered.


Patrick Troy, Chief Executive of the BPA added: "The ParkingEye v Beavis Court of Appeal case has provided clarity about how much car park operators can charge when motorists breach conditions in car parks but we believe the government can build on this by establishing a single standard setting body which is accountable to government and can be fully funded by the private parking sector. This should enhance standards through an enforceable code of practice. That code should be established following consultation with consumers, motorists, operators and landowners."