PRIVATE PARKING OPERATORS IN TOWNS AND CITIES

That this House is growing increasingly concerned about the operation of private parking operators in town and city centres; notes that the £100 fines issued by these companies are significantly out of proportion to the few minutes that some people may be late in returning to their vehicles and which would take up to 15 hours to pay earning the minimum wage; is concerned about the use of debt collection agencies which set about routinely harassing those in receipt of a fine with increasingly intimidating demands to pay; further notes the new bewildering changes in technology that seem to be confusing many users of these private operations; has concerns about the use of Driving and Vehicle Licensing Agency information to track down motorists on behalf of these private sector companies; regrets that companies such as Smart Parking refuse to engage in a meaningful discussion about their operations and arrogantly dismiss those with concerns about their parking arrangements; believes that the regulation of private parking is insufficient and must be urgently reviewed to ensure that private parking companies are more accountable and responsive to the communities they serve; and calls on the Government to bring forward plans to ensure that new regulations are brought forward which are user-focused and stop what is almost a licence to harass.