Hospitals ‘will suffer’ in parking fines shake-up
NHS bosses have been left “confused and perplexed” by a shakeup of private parking fines which, they argue, will lead to hospital car parks being swamped.
They claim new rules to stamp out rogue parking firms and eliminate unfair fines could see an increase in parking abuse, with hospital staff and visitors deprived of already limited spaces.
They have now written Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick to express their “deep concern and dismay” over the changes to how private car parks will be managed.
Until now, private car park operators have escaped statutory regulation and operated voluntary codes of practice and
to appeals. Each year they issue five million penalty charge notices, with typical charges of £100, reduced to £60 if paid within 14 days. But a £50 admin fee can be added for late payment.
The new parking code, to be published this summer and be in force by mid2022, includes proposals for a cut in the penalty charge notice to £50, or £25 if paid within 14 days, in line with those handed out by traffic wardens.
The Government says the measures will be a boost to millions of motorists and draw people back to their local high streets.
In the letter signed by North Tees and Hartlepool, Royal University Hospitals Bath, Northamptonshire Healthcare and South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS trusts, bosses said they “fully support the principle that motorists should be protected from aggressive enforcement... or egregious charges”.
However, they added: “It is imperative that the interests of motorists must also be balanced with our legitimate interests to defend against dangerous and selfish behaviour with an effective deterrent to ensure genuine users are not disadvantaged and are able to park with ease.”
They said reducing penalties is not a deterrent and “will significantly limit our ability to provide safe and reliable parking to genuine users of our facilities”.
The letter concluded: “While we remained confused and perplexed by the Government’s recommendations, we have faith in your office to reconsider the decision.”
A spokesman for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said: “We are continuing to discuss the detail of the Code with key motoring and industry bodies.”