Meeting over Westminster Bill

Parking campaigners have met to discuss the impact of new legislation on Scotland.

MP Sir Greg Knight, who has a private members bill making its way through Westminster, held talks with Murdo Fraser, Conservative MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, who has long campaigned about private parking firms operating in Perth.

The Parking (Code of Practice) Bill passed its second reading in the Commons at the end of January and will now move to the committee stage before being enacted into law.

The Bill will ensure that all private parking companies abide by a single code of practice, set by the Government, and that failure to do so will result in them being barred from accessing DVLA records.

Firms pay £2.50 to access the records, enabling them to identify motorists.

Mr Fraser said: “It was good to meet with Greg and chat about the implications of this Bill for Scottish motorists.

“We both have a shared desire to protect parkers and we were able to discuss how we can work together to ensure that robust regulation becomes a reality.

“An enforced single code of practice can help ensure that private firms play by the same rules and removing DVLA access can act as a deterrent in preventing unlawful behaviour.

“If passed, Greg’s Bill would complement my work in Scotland where I am hoping to bring in capped fines, independent appeals and clarified signage.”