Crackdown on unfair parking charges welcomed by Livingston MP
Livingston constituency MP Gregor Poynton has welcomed new UK Labour Government measures to crack down on unfair private parking charges, following repeated complaints from constituents about parking at Almondvale West Retail Park, near The Centre and Livingston Designer Outlet.
Parking charges have been one of the top issues raised with Mr Poynton’s constituency office, which has successfully helped some constituents secure refunds or have charges reconsidered.
Under the new Private Parking Code of Practice, laid in Parliament on Tuesday 20 October, drivers will receive five minutes to decide whether to park and 10 minutes to leave once their parking session ends.
Charges will be cancelled on appeal for circumstances beyond drivers’ control, including vehicle breakdowns, medical emergencies and broken ticket machines. Genuine mistakes, such as stopping briefly to check directions, will also be covered.
For smaller errors, including entering the wrong registration number or forgetting a parking permit, charges will be capped at £20 on appeal. The maximum private parking charge will remain frozen at £100, while operators who fail to follow the rules risk losing access to DVLA data.
Gregor Poynton MP said:
“Private parking charges have been one of the top issues constituents have contacted my office about, particularly at Almondvale West Retail Park.
“We have helped constituents secure refunds and get charges reconsidered, but people should not have to fight unfair penalties in the first place.
“These new protections will make a real difference for drivers across Livingston, giving people more time to park and leave and ensuring genuine mistakes or circumstances beyond their control do not result in unfair charges.
“People should be able to shop at Livingston’s retail parks without worrying about being unfairly penalised. I welcome these changes and will continue to raise constituents’ concerns.”
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said:
“Being a few minutes late back to your car or typing one digit of your numberplate wrong shouldn’t end with a hefty fine landing on your doormat.
“These charges leave people feeling ripped off and out of pocket, so I’m putting a stop to them.
"We are introducing clearer rules, longer grace periods and lower charges for genuine mistakes, while going after the deliberate scams that rip drivers off."
The Government has also pledged to consult next year on private parking debt recovery fees, including whether to reduce the existing £70 cap or scrap the fees altogether.
The Code will apply across England, Scotland and Wales and introduce independent oversight of the private parking industry.
Alongside the parking changes, the Government is strengthening consumer protection against second-hand car dealers who deliberately wind back odometers to disguise a vehicle’s true mileage, making it easier for enforcers to take action against the practice known as car clocking.