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Great Exploitations
The AA, the UK's largest motoring organisation, spotted the potentially disastrous Clause 56 in the Protection of Freedoms Bill when the draft bill was first presented. Since then we have campaigned to try and ensure that private parking companies, their debt collectors and trade association do not get away with this one.
The principle of private enforcement is that it is the driver that accepts the 'contract' to park after reading the signs - the registered keeper is very often not present so how can the keeper be legally forced to take the rap? Until all private parking enforcement is regulated or licensed by the government, with a fully independent appeal process, the motorist has virtually no protection, unlike the proper legal processes that exist for public highway offences.
The principle of private enforcement is that it is the driver that accepts the 'contract' to park after reading the signs - the registered keeper is very often not present so how can the keeper be legally forced to take the rap? Until all private parking enforcement is regulated or licensed by the government, with a fully independent appeal process, the motorist has virtually no protection, unlike the proper legal processes that exist for public highway offences.
Asked on 9 August 2011 by PW, The AA, Basingstoke
Answered by
Honest John
Thanks for that. We are on the same side. But if columnists like me don't keep on about it the public forgets. What must happen is for the safeguards in the standard letter that MPs have been replying about this be incorporated into the act itself, otherwise a shower of people who have disgracefully exploited the public in the past will exploit them with even more vigour. No one will be able to park a car anywhere without risking an £80 ‘penalty’. Epetition against the unamended Clause 56 at epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/6342
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