Counter to recent announcements by the Government, motorists are overwhelming opposed to recent proposals to reduce Parking Charge Notices (PCNs) in privately owned car parks.
An independent survey of over 3000 people in the UK found that the majority opposed the proposed reduction of PCNs. The Government are currently deciding whether to go ahead with proposals to reduce the deterrent for breaking parking rules in private car parks across England, Wales and Scotland. Under the plans most £100 PCNs (discounted* to £60) would be changed to £50 PCNs (discounted* to £25).
Those surveyed also agreed that motorists who break parking rules should fund the costs for providing private car park management and enforcement services.
This view is supported by the BPA, who agree that selfish and rule-breaking motorists need to be sufficiently deterred and that the cost involved in preventing such behaviour should not be borne by all motorists.
The BPA are asking that the Government presses ahead with the introduction of the new Code of Practice, which aligns with their longstanding call for a single Independent Appeals Service, and Standard Setting Body to oversee and regulate parking on private land.
The aim of the Act and therefore the Code is to ensure clarity and fairness for the large majority of compliant motorists who park and do not receive a PCN.
But for the Code to be effective a sufficient deterrent against inconsiderate parking behaviour needs to exist, something people in the UK agree with.
The BPA said “The results of this survey support our view that the Government should abandon plans to reduce PCN caps. Motorists and the parking sector all agree that a deterrent is needed to ensure that people can use private parking facilities safely and easily. A small, but significant, minority of motorists currently abuse the system. Government plans would actually reward those motorists to the detriment of those that follow the rules and park considerately. We are pleased that this survey confirms that the majority of road users and motorists agree.
We call on the Government to work with us to ensure any new regulatory framework achieves its intended aim, without undermining the very measures which make the system effective in deterring noncompliance with parking rules and regulations.”
For more information visit https://www.britishparking.co.uk/
*When paid within 14 days
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