Plans to cap the cost of parking fines have been temporarily withdrawn after parking firms objected to proposals.

Commenting on the discovery that the Private Parking Code of Practice has been withdrawn, following legal challenges by some private parking operators, RAC head of roads policy Nicholas Lyes said:

“The new private parking code of practice was designed specifically to make things fairer for drivers and end some of the worst practices in the sector. It’s deeply disappointing that the code has been temporarily withdrawn which now almost certainly means yet more delays in it being introduced. Drivers have a right to feel infuriated.

“The fact that parking companies take issue with the capping of charge notices and debt recovery fees shows precisely why both the code and the cap are needed. For too long, some companies have been allowed to prey mercilessly on drivers who might make an honest mistake and then have to face both over-zealous enforcement and threatening debt recovery letters. The Government must stand up to these companies and get the code over the line so we finally have fair and transparent enforcement in the private parking sector.”

Background: The RAC has campaigned for years to end the sharp practices in the private parking sector so welcomed the new national code. Find out more here.