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31/03/2015
Communities Secretary Calls For Discussion On Private Parking Fines
Communities Secretary Eric Pickles said that a crackdown on parking charges by private firms "could end excessive fees and inflated fines forced on motorists".
It is believed that new measures could help small shops and town centres by stopping extortionate charges that are a deterrent to shopping locally and instead drive people to shop in out-of-town centres or online.
Mr Pickles said: "We need to look at whether private firms are charging unnecessarily excessive fees or fines simply for parking. Nobody should endure the stress of being clobbered with a huge bill just for driving to the shops.
"Extortionate fees only put people off driving to high streets and damage local retailers and businesses. They are far from fair for motorists who end up paying through the nose.
"This discussion paper will allow people to raise issues about the way private and public parking firms operate and charge motorists."
Thie discussion applies to issues on parking on private land and on land owned by public authorities. Topics to be considered could back other government measures recently brought in that give drivers a 10-minute grace period when parked in a bay to prevent fines for being just a few minutes late back to a vehicle.
The use of CCTV 'spy cars' has also been banned in the majority of circumstances, ending the tyranny of automated fines being issued in industrial volumes, and landing on doorsteps without warning. In addition, a new right enables residents and local firms to demand that their council reviews parking in their area, including the charges and use of yellow lines.
These parking measures, which are now in law, have been labelled as a victory for drivers and are one of a number of initiatives introduced by the government to support high streets and give local shops a fairer deal.
(MH/JP)
It is believed that new measures could help small shops and town centres by stopping extortionate charges that are a deterrent to shopping locally and instead drive people to shop in out-of-town centres or online.
Mr Pickles said: "We need to look at whether private firms are charging unnecessarily excessive fees or fines simply for parking. Nobody should endure the stress of being clobbered with a huge bill just for driving to the shops.
"Extortionate fees only put people off driving to high streets and damage local retailers and businesses. They are far from fair for motorists who end up paying through the nose.
"This discussion paper will allow people to raise issues about the way private and public parking firms operate and charge motorists."
Thie discussion applies to issues on parking on private land and on land owned by public authorities. Topics to be considered could back other government measures recently brought in that give drivers a 10-minute grace period when parked in a bay to prevent fines for being just a few minutes late back to a vehicle.
The use of CCTV 'spy cars' has also been banned in the majority of circumstances, ending the tyranny of automated fines being issued in industrial volumes, and landing on doorsteps without warning. In addition, a new right enables residents and local firms to demand that their council reviews parking in their area, including the charges and use of yellow lines.
These parking measures, which are now in law, have been labelled as a victory for drivers and are one of a number of initiatives introduced by the government to support high streets and give local shops a fairer deal.
(MH/JP)
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21 August 2009
Parking Enforcement 'Out of Control'
Growing parking enforcement in private car parks and the huge amounts of money being taken from drivers has reached 'epidemic' level, according to the AA. More than one in 10 drivers say they have been issued a private parking ticket over the last year and tens of thousands of people have had their car clamped or removed from private car parks.
Parking Enforcement 'Out of Control'
Growing parking enforcement in private car parks and the huge amounts of money being taken from drivers has reached 'epidemic' level, according to the AA. More than one in 10 drivers say they have been issued a private parking ticket over the last year and tens of thousands of people have had their car clamped or removed from private car parks.
16 March 2012
Rise In Hospital Parking Fees Criticised
New figures published have shown than more than a quarter of hospital trusts in England increased car parking charges for patients and visitors in the year to last April. While some cut prices, others more than doubled them, according to data from 197 hospitals and mental health trusts.
Rise In Hospital Parking Fees Criticised
New figures published have shown than more than a quarter of hospital trusts in England increased car parking charges for patients and visitors in the year to last April. While some cut prices, others more than doubled them, according to data from 197 hospitals and mental health trusts.
05 August 2013
65-Year-Old Bailed On Asda Carpark Manslaughter Charge
A man arrested in connection with the death of 64-year-old man in an Asda car park has been bailed. It is understood that the victim died in hospital on Sunday after sustaining head injuries when he was pushed to the ground during an argument in the supermarkets disabled parking area.
65-Year-Old Bailed On Asda Carpark Manslaughter Charge
A man arrested in connection with the death of 64-year-old man in an Asda car park has been bailed. It is understood that the victim died in hospital on Sunday after sustaining head injuries when he was pushed to the ground during an argument in the supermarkets disabled parking area.
16 September 2010
Hospital Parking Fees Here To Stay
The coalition government has announced that car parking charges for hospitals based in England are set to stay. The previous Labour administration had pushed to scrap parking fees for in-patients and regular out-patients, however the coalition agreed that there were better uses of public money than abolishing the charges.
Hospital Parking Fees Here To Stay
The coalition government has announced that car parking charges for hospitals based in England are set to stay. The previous Labour administration had pushed to scrap parking fees for in-patients and regular out-patients, however the coalition agreed that there were better uses of public money than abolishing the charges.
25 September 2008
'Metric Martyr' To Take On Parking Wardens
A man being dubbed the "metric martyr" is today launching a landmark legal challenge to ask for a judicial review into current parking laws.
'Metric Martyr' To Take On Parking Wardens
A man being dubbed the "metric martyr" is today launching a landmark legal challenge to ask for a judicial review into current parking laws.
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