Nick Smith, Labour MP for Blaenau Gwent, made a speech in the House of Commons on 28th September 2012 asking that leave be given to bring in a Bill to make provisions relating to signage and ticketing technology for parking charges used in publicly-available car parks. He stated that “Misleading and confusing signs are inexcusable; it should be simple to get the signs and pay machines right.”

He went on to say, “I am also worried about a developing business model for this sector, in which the landowner receives the hourly charge from the motorist but the car park operator receives the income from any extra charges. So, from the car park operator’s point of view, the more confusing the signage is, the better. When it is confusing for the motorist, the car park operators make more money. That cannot be right. This Bill will end the open season on motorists; it will deliver clear, easy-to-read signs in all car parks used by the public. Payment systems, too, must be as simple as possible. Motorists who pay should not face extra charges when they have done the right thing… When I met the Transport Minister, I was told that an independent appeals service for unfair ticketing would be introduced under the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012. That safeguard is welcome, but it fails to address the large-scale and deliberately exploitative ticketing operations of some in the sector.”

Nick Smith accordingly presented the Bill. Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 25 January 2013, and to be printed.