Wrexham residents asked to help crack down on parking firms

Member of Parliament for Wrexham, Sarah Atherton, is encouraging local residents to make their voices heard on private parking companies in Wrexham and participate in the UK Government’s newly launched Call for Evidence. 

Following concerns raised by residents, in June 2021, Mrs Atherton MP launched a parking survey which found that 67% of respondents were dissatisfied with car parking options in Wrexham.

Many respondents even noted that they would rather go shopping elsewhere, in Mold, Broughton or Oswestry, because of parking issues in Wrexham.

After sharing her survey results with Wrexham Council, a ‘Free After 11’ scheme was introduced in most council-run car parks.

However, many of the concerns that constituents and visitors raised related to private car parking companies. 

Having dealt with a high volume of cases raised by constituents and visitors, many asking for assistance with private parking fines, Mrs Atherton met with representatives of Wrexham parking firms and County Borough Council officers to discuss the problem. 

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In February 2022, the UK Government published the Private Parking Code of Practice. The Code sets out clear rules for private parking firms to follow relating to signage, surface markings and compulsory grace periods, while drivers will have the opportunity to challenge unfair fines via a new independent appeals service.

If private companies fail to follow the Code, they will effectively be banned from issuing parking charges. After publication, some private parking companies issued legal proceedings and the Code was temporarily withdrawn pending review of the levels of private parking charges and additional fees. 

Sarah Atherton MP at Island Green Car Park (Image: submitted)

The UK Government has now launched a ‘Call for Evidence’ as part of plans to improve regulation of the private parking sector. The UK Government is inviting anyone interested in this issue to respond in order to assist the government’s decision-making on this policy area.

The call for evidence will run until September 24 and further information on how to respond can be found online here.

Sarah Atherton MP said: “For nearly two years, I have been lobbying UK Government Ministerial colleagues to introduce a Code of Practice to protect my constituents from unscrupulous activity by parking firms.

"Following the launch of this Call for Evidence, I would encourage anyone with concerns about private parking companies in Wrexham to have their say. In the meantime, I will continue to push for the implementation of the UK Government’s Code of Practice to crack down on cowboy parking firms."