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Burnham vows end to 'rip-off parking charges' under new rules
BBC • • world
Key Points:
- New rules announced by Prime Minister Andy Burnham will give drivers more protections against harsh private parking charges, including guaranteed grace periods and the right to challenge unfair penalties.
- Drivers will receive a 5-minute decision period to park, a 10-minute window to leave without penalty, and cancellations of charges for uncontrollable issues like vehicle breakdowns or honest mistakes.
- Maximum charges on appeal will be capped at £20 for minor errors, with an overall parking charge freeze at £100, matching the current private parking Code of Practice limit.
- Non-compliant operators risk losing access to DVLA data, making it harder to pursue vehicle owners for charges, while the new Code will apply across England, Scotland, and Wales.
- While groups like the AA and RAC welcome the changes, calls remain for stronger measures such as banning debt recovery fees and establishing a single independent appeals body to replace current industry-run systems.
