Clause 56 Protection of Freedoms Bill
Clause 56 of the Protection of Freedoms Bill states: "Recovery of unpaid parking charges Schedule 4 (which makes provision for the recovery of unpaid parking charges from the keeper of a vehicle in cases where it is not known who was driving the vehicle when the charges were incurred) has effect."
This provision - as detailed in Sch 4 (Recovery of unpaid parking charges) of said Bill - is an affront to honest motorists who are even more likely to be hounded from pillar to post by unscrupulous parking management firms out to disproportionately collect so called 'penalties' for minor breaches of contract whilst a vehicle is parked on private land. Legislation having outlawed wheel clamping will now allow this bunch of money chasers to turn their attention to registered keepers of vehicles with all that ensues (letters, threats of Court Action, baillifs etc.).
Some weeks ago I wrote to Norman Baker, Transport Minister, and my local MP (Charlie Elphicke) to register my disquiet at these provisions, where they is no adequate independent redress for challeging these so called 'fines', and my further concerns at DVLA's disclosure of a persons private details to 'registered bodies' whilst there is little to stop this information landing in the hands of unregister and often unscrupulous firms. I have had no reply from the Minister and my local MP seems to think that there will be adequate provision in the Bill to protect drivers/registered owners.
Do you trust the BPA to self-regulate? I don't.
In my letters I further urged that Clause 56 should be scrapped. Sign the petition otherwise this legislation will be introduced by default and guess who will be the scapegoats !
This provision - as detailed in Sch 4 (Recovery of unpaid parking charges) of said Bill - is an affront to honest motorists who are even more likely to be hounded from pillar to post by unscrupulous parking management firms out to disproportionately collect so called 'penalties' for minor breaches of contract whilst a vehicle is parked on private land. Legislation having outlawed wheel clamping will now allow this bunch of money chasers to turn their attention to registered keepers of vehicles with all that ensues (letters, threats of Court Action, baillifs etc.).
Some weeks ago I wrote to Norman Baker, Transport Minister, and my local MP (Charlie Elphicke) to register my disquiet at these provisions, where they is no adequate independent redress for challeging these so called 'fines', and my further concerns at DVLA's disclosure of a persons private details to 'registered bodies' whilst there is little to stop this information landing in the hands of unregister and often unscrupulous firms. I have had no reply from the Minister and my local MP seems to think that there will be adequate provision in the Bill to protect drivers/registered owners.
Do you trust the BPA to self-regulate? I don't.
In my letters I further urged that Clause 56 should be scrapped. Sign the petition otherwise this legislation will be introduced by default and guess who will be the scapegoats !
Asked on 27 November 2011 by Freewheels4uk
Answered by
Honest John
Unfortunately the Bill and Clause 56 went though its Report stage unamended on 8th November. Rubber stamping by the House of Lords in now routine and it will become law from April, from which month the very people who will be banned from clamping will be granted a much more lucrative licence to exploit the motorist. The uproar from motorists and the press would mean that this could not happen even in a country like Thailand, so just shows you how stupidly sheep-like and trusting the British public is.
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