PointsStyle Initiative Introduced for Private Parking Companies
The British Parking Association (BPA) has introduced a points style scheme of sanctions, to ensure Approved Operators comply with its Code of Practice for managing parking on private land.
In a scheme that runs in a similar way to the points system for driving licences, parking operators will be issued with points up to a maximum of 12 for contravening the BPA Approved Operator Code of Practice. If the maximum points are reached, the operator will automatically be fast-tracked to the BPA Council for a disciplinary hearing, which can result in expulsion from the scheme.
BPA Approved Operator Points Scheme - Fast Facts
12 point maximum, before referral to CouncilBefore points are issued, operators are given the opportunity to take agreed remedial action, within a time limit (if this is not done, points will automatically be awarded)
There are approximately 40 different contraventions
Five levels of contravention from Level One (minor) to Level Five (severe), with different number of points (from 1-10) attached to each
Points are deemed to be spent within 12 months
Patrick Troy, Chief Executive of the British Parking Association, said: We have been working with approved operators for just over two years now, and while it is clear that some make mistakes, most learn from them and change their systems to operate in the motorists best interests. However, after time, some operators fall back into bad habits, so this system is designed to encourage a consistent standard of good conduct.
This new points system means those that continually breach the Code of Practice will feel the impact of their actions just like motorists who commit traffic offences and can eventually be disqualified or banned.
Following introduction of the BPAs Approved Operator Scheme and Code of Practice in 2007, there have been a number of other, more recent, initiatives designed to improve the parking sector:
In response to BPA and public pressure, the BPA is working with government to introduce an Independent Appeals service that applies to parking on private land
The BPA and DVLA worked together to clean up the sector, implementing a new Government initiative from November 2009 where any operator working on private land must be a member of an Accredited Trade Association (such as the BPA) to access driver details from DVLA.
In October 2009, a Parking Summit was hosted by the BPA to join Government, industry and motorist representatives in discussion of how to improve parking enforcement and ensure a fair service
An updated Code of Practice was introduced in 2009
Stephen Glaister, Director of the RAC Foundation, said: The RAC Foundation welcomes the progress made by the BPA through the Approved Operator Scheme to raise standards in the parking industry. For motorists undertaking any trip by car, parking is essential at the end of the journey. For many journeys there is rarely any reliable way of predicting what parking may be available. Motorists are forced to rely on parking where they can and being treated fairly by those who provide parking facilities close to their destinations. The Approved Operator Scheme will go a long way towards ensuring that fewer motorists who park on private land and in privately run car parks will become victims of sharp practice.
This new points system means those that continually breach the Code of Practice will feel the impact of their actions just like motorists who commit traffic offences and can eventually be disqualified or banned.
Following introduction of the BPAs Approved Operator Scheme and Code of Practice in 2007, there have been a number of other, more recent, initiatives designed to improve the parking sector:
In response to BPA and public pressure, the BPA is working with government to introduce an Independent Appeals service that applies to parking on private land
The BPA and DVLA worked together to clean up the sector, implementing a new Government initiative from November 2009 where any operator working on private land must be a member of an Accredited Trade Association (such as the BPA) to access driver details from DVLA.
In October 2009, a Parking Summit was hosted by the BPA to join Government, industry and motorist representatives in discussion of how to improve parking enforcement and ensure a fair service
An updated Code of Practice was introduced in 2009
Stephen Glaister, Director of the RAC Foundation, said: The RAC Foundation welcomes the progress made by the BPA through the Approved Operator Scheme to raise standards in the parking industry. For motorists undertaking any trip by car, parking is essential at the end of the journey. For many journeys there is rarely any reliable way of predicting what parking may be available. Motorists are forced to rely on parking where they can and being treated fairly by those who provide parking facilities close to their destinations. The Approved Operator Scheme will go a long way towards ensuring that fewer motorists who park on private land and in privately run car parks will become victims of sharp practice.
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