Minister backs crackdown on parking firms
SCOTLAND’S transport minister yesterday pledged to stamp out the ‘dubious practices’ of private parking firms as part of his overhaul of the industry.
Humza Yousaf said too many people have fallen victim to so-called ‘parking pirates’ who ruthlessly prey on motorists and issue them with eye-watering penalty charges.
His comments came after the Scottish Daily Mail yesterday revealed details of a new crackdown by the Scottish Government which will include creating a code of practice and the setting up of an independent appeals body.
Mr Yousaf said: ‘There’s been a very positive cross-party approach to dealing with this issue – too many people (have been) affected by some private parking firms with dubious practices.’
It was also confirmed yesterday that the Government is holding talks about whether proposed Westminster legislation that would curb the selling of drivers’ details by the DVLA could be applied in Scotland
Among the proposed controls being considered by ministers in Scotland is the introduction of an independent appeals body that would allow drivers to challenge penalty charges issued by private parking firms, some of which make threequarters of their revenue from clobbering motorists.
Currently, appeals can only be addressed to the company involved. Ministers also plan to introduce a new ‘code of practice’ which could address unfair fines, poor signage and a lack of information about motorists’ rights.
And a Private Member’s Bill, set to be introduced by Scottish Tory MSP Murdo Fraser next week, is set to call for penalty charges imposed by private parking companies to be capped at £60.
Yesterday, Transport Scotland confirmed that discussions had already taken place with the UK Government about how proposed Westminster legislation could operate in Scotland.
The Private Member’s Bill, tabled by Tory MP Sir Greg Knight, says that firms which do not stick to a statutory code of practice should no longer get access to the 40million records managed by the DVLA.
The Swansea-based agency charges private operators £2.50 to acquire the names and addresses of vehicle owners.
Victims of private operators last night welcomed the proposed crackdown.
George Taylor, 81, who was hit with a £160 penalty by Smart Parking after accidentally underpaying by 10p at its multistorey in Kinnoull Street, Perth, said: ‘It is a good development to hear that something is being done. I got all number of letters and threats with bailiffs and all sorts.
‘Anything that allows you to make an official complaint somewhere would be very good.
‘It is also not right that the DVLA is giving out my address and they are making money out of me and others like me.’
The DVLA’s own guidelines state that in order to receive data from its registers, private parking companies must belong to an accredited trade association with a code of practice that ensures fair treatment of customers.
Nobody at the British Parking Association or Smart Parking was available to comment.
Transport Scotland confirmed it is working with ‘UK counterparts’ to ensure the Westminster Bill ‘would be suitable for Scotland’.