A significant exchange has taken place in Parliament concerning private car parking regulations, sparked by Derby South MP Baggy Shanker and the Leader of the House of Commons, Lucy Powell MP. The discussion arose due to growing concerns about unfair fines being imposed by private parking companies, specifically highlighting the circumstances around the Copeland Street car park in Derby.

During a Parliamentary session on March 27, Mr Shanker addressed the recurring issues faced by local residents, stating that they are “getting ripped off by parking fines time after time.” His comments were motivated by a particular case involving a Derby woman facing a court action from Excel Parking Services, with fines totaling £1,906. The woman reportedly faced difficulties with mobile phone connectivity, which resulted in her inability to pay for parking within the imposed five-minute time frame.

Ms Powell acknowledged the validity of Mr Shanker’s frustrations, stating, “As constituency MPs, we can absolutely recognise what my honourable friend has said, and many of us share his anger and frustration at how cowboy outfits operate.” She assured that plans for a new private parking code of practice would be forthcoming, underscoring the need to enhance standards within the sector.

In the wake of these discussions, Excel Parking Services released a statement expressing their discontent with the remarks made by Mr Shanker and Ms Powell. A spokesman for the company articulated their wish for a more constructive dialogue rather than what they perceived as negative characterisations of their operations. The spokesperson highlighted specific instances where parking charges were disputed, asserting that one charge stemmed from an incorrect vehicle registration while the other occurred despite fully operational payment methods being available at the time.

Excel’s statement pointed out a previous attempt to engage with Mr Shanker, suggesting that he did not attend a scheduled meeting to discuss these issues, which had led to some disappointment on their part. They encouraged anyone who believes they received incorrect charges to appeal accordingly.

Responding to Excel Parking’s comments, Mr Shanker reiterated his commitment to representing the interests of local constituents. He noted that his efforts have already led to the scrapping of the controversial five-minute payment window, labelling it as unreasonable. He disclosed that reports indicate a substantial increase in private parking fines across the UK, illustrating a systemic issue that seemingly requires further examination and reform.

Mr Shanker reinforced his ongoing commitment to advocating for consumer protections and clarifying the regulations governing private parking firms. He did acknowledge a missed meeting with Excel Parking due to sudden illness but confirmed that a member of his office had represented him instead.

The discourse illustrates a significant tension between local government representatives and private parking operators, highlighting the complexities surrounding consumer protections and operational standards in the private parking sector.

Source: Noah Wire Services