Private Parking Industry Hits back blog discussion

A question about : Private Parking Industry Hits back blog discussion

This is the discussion to link on the back of Martin's blog. Please read the blog first, as this discussion follows it.

Read Martin's The Private Parking Industry hits back... Blog.

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Best answers:

• Excellent reply cant wait to see them take your offer to represent themselves on the forum.
  I didnt get this point
  “Let me first say the BPA is not simply a ‘Trade Body’ but we do of course count most of the respectable parking industry in our membership; we also have over 350 public sector members including the Department for Transport and some NHS Trusts for example. We truly represent the whole parking sector. More information about us is available on our website- see link below.”
  You are a Trade Body and represent the parking sector not me as a consumer.
• Of course we should all respect private property and not park on it uninvited.
  What concerns me is the growth of the appointment of PPC's where there is no need.
  Near to me is a retail park that is in the middle of no-where.It is surrounded by dual carriageways, and is 2.5 miles from the next nearest shops.The car park has never been more than half full, and yet a PPC has been appointed with a two hour limit for parking, with massive charges for return within 4 hours.
  Surely this is nothing to do with managing a car park, but more to do with revenue generation. Could it be that PPC are touting for business convincing landowners they have a problem when one doesn't exist, solely to increase their turnover and profit.
• Well done Martin.
  I have to say that if that is their best and considered 'hit back' it reveals exactly what a shallow flim flam they are.
  Personally speaking I would have included:-
  1) Evidence from the forums shows that none of their members follow the amended Code of Practice that the BPA forced them to sign some time ago. Additionally the BPA is not enforcing its own Code which they need to to do to maintain their ATA status.
  They undercut their own declared position by their actions and inactions. Actions speak louder than words do they not ?
  2) Uniform breaking of multiple legislation and regulations by all their members. Some are potentially quite serious criminal offences. The BPA is fully aware of this as they took advice from Trading Standards when changing their code - this is undeniable. The October 2009 version is a blind, the code has already been amended and every member was made to sign up to it.
  personally I think that the BPA should be renamed to "Ali Baba".
  Less contentiously perhaps a phrase about eyes and motes may be used.
  I believe that my points above deserve focus as they are fundamental - by their actions are they known.
• My local hospital has turned almost all the parking spaces into STAFF PARKING ONLY. There are large signs to say this, but no signs to say what is the penalty for patients and visitors parking in these spaces. I have written to the hospital complaining about the lack of parking for patients, but they have failed to reply!
• I'm surprised that Perky (or one of his many alter egos) hasn't steamed into this thread by now, trying to convince us that private tickets are all perfectly legal and enforceable, and no doubt quoting his "landmark" win in the Thomas case.
  The letter from the BPA, and its failure to address the fraudulent way in which most PPC tickets are pursued, illustrates perfectly what a house of straw the whole private parking industry is. Shame on those Government agencies and Councils for associating themselves with this scam.
• i jointly own an access driveway with equal use. the others have now decided it is to be used solely for their own use and issue me with parking tickets which I ignore - but leaving my car their to unload (as my lease allows) still invites all kinds of abuse to me and workmen. Other than tanking them to Court and solicitors letters which they've chosen to ignore. anyone else had same problem?
• I actually feel sorry for the BPA. I am sure that many of their members are respectable honest companies, but there are far too many cowboy parking companies who are unfairly preying on innocent motorists, and the BPA is in the awkward position of having to represent them too. How can they properly stick up for the rights of the honest parking companies, without acknowledging that loads of their members are basically crooks? It's an unenviable situation to be in.
  Martin
• I read the article, and while there are a few references to 'unfair' charges, I do believe that most people will read it as a 'how to get my parking ticket cancelled' guide, fair or not. Because of course when you've just got an Ј80 ticket, it's never fair.
  So I'm not surprised they're complaining, as people will look for loopholes to avoid the charges, nobody cares whether their own charge is 'fair', because they're the ones paying it. Expecting honesty or fairness to enter into it is unrealistic, the slightly nudge-nudge wink-wink section on 'what if you're not the driver' is an obvious invitation to fraud.
  Hopefully of course more knowledge will result in better practice by the industry - proper signing, etc.
• "unfair' charges ? What about the unlawful enforceable charges issued with no legal right and pursued with papers that break multiple statutes and regulations ?
  'Unfair' does not describe it and is irrelevant.
  We have no evidence at all on the forum of ANY Private Parking company following the BPA Code.
  We have numerous examples of multiple broken regulations and statutes. From, but not limited to, business and e-trading regulations through various Consumer statutes through to outright Fraud.
  These are the de facto methods that span this industry.
  It is an overwhelming preponderance of evidence. A brief search will reveal other sites that also carry an overwhelming preponderance of the same evidence often including copies of the papers used by these companies.
  The standard methods of the industry are undeniable inexcusable and indefensible.
• Are clamping companies really allowed to clamp your private car? Is this not classed as tresspass, and criminal tresspass at that?
• Members of the BPA are bound by their Code of Conduct:
  Members of the British Parking Association (BPA) will undertake to:
  1. Conduct their business lawfully and comply with all relevant legislation.
  2. Manage their affairs professionally so that their operations are conducted efficiently and effectively and in accordance with good business practice including:
  • Trading fairly and responsibly and only employing contractors that are competent to the task in hand.
  • Undertaking their activities honestly and with integrity and not knowingly misrepresenting themselves or misleading others.
  • Ensuring that they operate to the highest possible standards thereby protecting the interests of their shareholders and customers.
  To contravene these is actually unlawful under The Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 Section 5 Part 3 (b) (i):
  Quote:
• At last,people are going to fight unfair parking charges.Good.
• People have been fighting these for some time. the problem is that the authorities refuse to move.
  Perhaps everyone who fights should also write to their MP and MEP and demand action to ensure your vote and to prevent not voting tactically against them.