Special Jury Award: BPA and IPC Single Code of Practice

British Parking Awards 2024

The trade associations serving the parking sector have worked together to devise a joint code of practice for operators managing private land. The British Parking Association (BPA) and the International Parking Community (IPC) say the new single code, which supersedes their previously separate codes, will raise standards and deliver greater transparency and consistency for the benefit of motorists.

The BPA and IPC are accredited by the DVLA to run Approved Operator Schemes that enable member companies to obtain vehicle keeper data in order to collect unpaid parking charge notices issued on private land. This procedure was set up when the use of wheel clamping on private land was banned under the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012. Until now the BPA and IPC’s approved operator schemes have had separate codes of conduct.

The new code sees a greater degree of harmonisation in areas such as the sanctions that each association will impose on member operators for breaches of the code, up to the loss of access to DVLA data. The new single code:

• introduces an ‘Appeals Charter’, creating clear parameters for motorists to appeal against a parking charge
• mandates a 10-minute grace period for motorists and provides consistent rules for private parking operators
• requires clear signage to help motorists navigate parking on private land
• maintains a cap on the parking charge at £100 reduced to £60 if paid within 14 days
• ensures the protection of the most vulnerable in society, with no decrease to the deterrent for abuse of Blue Badge bays or those who choose to park selfishly, putting their own convenience above the needs or rights of others.

Private parking operators need to have implemented the new single code by 1 October 2024, with all existing sites needing to be updated by December 2026.

A Private Members Bill, proposed by Sir Greg Knight MP, that enabled the introduction of a legislation-backed code of conduct gained cross-party support and received Royal Assent in March 2019. The government drew up a code that included halving the cap on tickets for most parking offences to £50 and created a single appeals system. However, this code was withdrawn by in June 2022 following a legal challenge by parking companies.

The revised government code was set to be put out for consultation at the end of May. However, former Conservative prime minister Rishi Sunak’s decision to call a general election means consultation on the new code was postponed.

Will Hurley, IPC chief executive officer says: “The new code will create positive change across the UK, enhancing the protection of the most vulnerable in society, whilst creating consistency and clarity for motorists and continuing to elevate standards across the sector.”

Andrew Pester, BPA chief executive says: “The single sector code for the private parking sector is a key milestone as we work closely with government, consumer bodies and others to deliver fairer and more consistent parking standards for motorists.”

Winners' words

Chris Naylor, IPC’s head of membership and relations: “This award recognises the work that both organisations have done towards bringing the Single Code of Practice effectively to a point where we can release it and launch it and implement it. It’s been something that’s been required for years, hasn’t it?

Sara Roberts, head of the BPA Approved Operator Scheme: “It’s great to see our organisations working together for the better of the motoring community, the public and the industry. We are delivering one of the government’s aims together, which is doing right by the consumer.”

The British Parking Awards

Created and presented by Parking Review magazine, the British Parking Awards are an independent competition. The awards recognise the leading examples of car park management, enforcement, design and team work.

The British Parking Awards 2024 ceremony took place at the Royal Lancaster London on 13 September.

Read and download the 2025 WINNERS EDITION of PARKING REVIEW by clicking HERE

To find out more about the competition and next year’s event check out the official website.
www.britishparkingawards.uk