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Have there been any developments on the Protection of Freedoms bill in terms of car parking enforcement companies?

I have been following the debate on Clause 56 of the Protection of Freedoms bill through your column and have written to my MP (twice) to raise my objections. I finally received a reply from Norman Baker MP at the DfT. It seems that this appears to be a trade off between the ban on "the immobilisation and towing away of vehicles without lawful authority" and the ability of landowners to enforce the charges if the registered keeper denies responsibility. In no way do I accept this and was pleased to see the comments from PW from the AA (Honest John 15 Oct). I shall be writing again to my MP to continue my objections but will welcome any advice as to which track to take feeling that if we all use the same argument the effect will be greater.

Asked on 1 July 2012 by AS, Stone, Staffs

Answered by Honest John
There has been a development. Some of the better MPs asked the right questions. The British Parking Association trialled an appeals process in anticipation of an independent appeals process being legislated into Clause 56. It wasn’t when the Bill was passed in November, but the BPA is still working towards an appeals process that will be in place in October. Meanwhile, if you have any complaints about the behaviour of its members, please report them using: www.britishparking.co.uk/Contact-Us
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