At last, an MP who is on the side of consumer.

[alham]

I've read today that Nick Smith, MP for Blaenau Gwent proposed a bill to clarify provisions relating to signage and ticketing technologies for parking enforcement. He states that misleading and confusing signage is inexcusable and that a current business model for private parking sector appears to be that landlords receive hourly parking charge, but the car park operators receive the income form any extra charges!!!! Hence, the more confusing the signage is the better it is for the car park operator. When Nick Smith met with Transport Minister he was told about the independent appeals as per FoI Act 2012, however Nick went on to state "that whilst this safeguard is welcome, it fails to address large-scale and deliberately exploitative ticketing operations".

The bill had its first reading and will be read again on 25th of January.

PS. It is estimated that breaches of private parking contracts will cost consumers over £125,000,000 over the next year.

[bluebottle]

Re: At last, an MP who is on the side of consumer.

Let's hope the bill contains a provision or provisions to impose criminal sanctions on those PPCs who engage in what Nick Smith, MP, describes as "large-scale and deliberately exploitative ticketing operations". It would be simpler to outlaw non-statutory (private) penalty notices.

[alham]

Re: At last, an MP who is on the side of consumer.

Let's hope the bill contains a provision or provisions to impose criminal sanctions on those PPCs who engage in what Nick Smith, MP, describes as "large-scale and deliberately exploitative ticketing operations". It would be simpler to outlaw non-statutory (private) penalty notices.

I suggest that admin of LB writes to him and points out the number of queries raised on this subject on this site alone! Plus all the other sensible suggestions that members have.