WHAT THE NEW PARKING CODE OF CONDUCT SAYS

In England (but outside London) and in Wales, charges will be reduced from £100 to £70 or £50, depending on the seriousness of the breach.

The current £100 fines cap will remain in circumstances such as abusing Blue Badge bays or if a motorist is trespassing on private land.

Motorists will be offered a 50% discount if they pay within 14 days.

Parking debt collectors will be banned from adding additional excess fees to the level of the parking charge, currently as much as £70.

Granting of a compulsory 10-minute grace period before firms can issue a late fine.

Granting of a compulsory five-minute coolingoff period in which a motorist can consider the terms and conditions and change their mind about parking.

A crackdown on parking firms using aggressive or pseudo-legal language to intimidate motorists into paying fines.

A requirement for parking firms to clearly display the pricing and terms and conditions of parking, contact details and how to appeal a parking charge.

New Appeals Charter will eliminate fines for motorists who make genuine errors or have mitigating circumstances.

Rogue operators that fail to follow the code could be banned from accessing data held by the Driver and Vehicle

Licensing Agency.