Brighton parking fine fighter: reduction 'not sufficient'

Firms will also be ordered to display clearer signage around their sites, and operate a 14-day grace period.

The move comes as ministers seek better protection to drivers.

But Zubair Anjum, who battled with a private parking firm over a friend’s ticket – and won - says the legislation does not go far enough.

Fine caps across England and Wales will be halved

“The reduction in the maximum fine amount is not sufficient,” said Zubair.

“Private parking companies should be regulated in the same way that local authorities are, especially when it comes to signage and appeals process.”

“Currently, private parking companies are regulated by organisations and associations that are basically set up and funded by themselves, so in essence they are regulating themselves. How can that possibly be fair to motorists?

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“I recently helped a disabled friend with a penalty charge notice issued when she had parked displaying a blue badge in a bay that turned out to be suspended, but the suspension sign had fallen to the ground and was not visible to motorists.

“The appeal went all the way to the Traffic Penalty Tribunal, where an independently appointed lawyer reviews the evidence submitted by both parties. Within the first five minutes of the video hearing, the council’s representative declared that they would not be contesting the penalty charge notice any further.”

Motorists will receive greater protection from “aggressive debt collection and unreasonable fees” through the cap, the Government has said.

Firms will have until the end of 2023 to implement the rules.

They will also have to display prices more clearly, use a fairer appeal system and give drivers a 10-minute grace period for lateness, under the legislation.

A spokesman for Brighton and Hove city council said: "We are aware of the new national regulations relating to parking enforcement on private land, and are currently assessing what impact it may have on our operations."

Private firms issue roughly 22,000 tickets each day

Firms in breach the rules could also be banned from collecting fines in future, by having their access to Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) data cut off.

Neil O’Brien, Minister for Levelling Up, said: “Private firms issue roughly 22,000 parking tickets every day, often adopting a system of misleading and confusing signage, aggressive debt collection and unreasonable fees designed to extort money from motorists.

“The new Code of Practice will set out a clear vision with the interests of safe motorists at its heart, while cracking down on the worst offenders who put other people in danger.”

NCP, which runs many car parks across Brighton and Hove, declined to comment.