Private companies issue approximately 36,000 parking citations to motorists daily, according to available data.
RAC Foundation and PA news agency analysis shows over 3.3 million tickets were distributed July–September.
The daily average of 35,960 is a record and up 16% from 2.9 million last year. The maximum fine per citation is £100, which equates to a daily expense of approximately £3.6 million for drivers.
It has been alleged that private parking companies engage in deceptive and perplexing sign placement, oppressive debt collection practices, and impractical pricing.
Legislation enacted by Parliament in March 2019 was also anticipated to unveil a long-awaited code of practice. The code is designed to eradicate some of the worst conduct within the sector.
The code, which was introduced to Parliament in February 2022 and is scheduled to be implemented by the conclusion of 2023, stipulated that certain limits ought to be reduced by half to £50.
The government withdrew it in June 2022 in response to a legal challenge lodged by parking firms.
Delays in Private Parking Legislation Implementation Raise Concerns
Steve Gooding, director of the RAC Foundation, stated, “We will all be hoping for good things in 2024. However, the vast group of private land parking companies may be most optimistic for the new year.”
“Five years will pass in March since legislation was passed to…improve the regulation of the private parking industry. However, the exact date of their implementation remains uncertain.”
“The slow progress has caused tremendous discontent among the millions of drivers who have been penalised severely for alleged violations in private parking lots, as well as among the Members of Parliament who were waiting in line to hear constituents’ parking horror stories during the debate on this legislation at the time.”
Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) ended its code of practice evidence appeal on 8 October.
“Enforcement is a key element of effective parking management, ensuring that careless and selfish drivers do not block spaces, park in blue badge zones, or cause a nuisance to motorists who park with due care and attention,” said a spokesman for the British Parking Association, which represents car park operators.
The analysis used the number of DVLA records firms bought for £2.50 apiece to follow drivers. The agency claims that its fees are intended to cover expenses and not generate a profit.
178 businesses submitted requests for records during the three months preceding September’s end. ParkAdvantage was in first place with 573,000 records.
