A major rule change could soon bring relief to millions of British motorists in their constant struggle to find and pay for parking. Labour has announced the expansion of a National Parking Platform (NPP), which allows drivers to pay for parking using a single app, eliminating the need to download and manage multiple platforms. The scheme, now overseen by the British Parking Association, aims to streamline the process and improve the user experience without adding any cost to the taxpayer.
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Popular apps such as RingGo, JustPark and PayByPhone have signed on to the initiative, giving drivers the freedom to pay using their preferred service. The government says the NPP will help eliminate inconsistent parking rules, reduce accidental fines, and improve competition around parking charges. Minister for the Future of Roads, Lilian Greenwood, said she was “delighted” at the rollout, calling it a prime example of “public infrastructure done right.”
Following successful trials in ten local authorities, the platform is currently handling more than 500,000 parking transactions each month. Plans are now in place to expand the system to additional councils across the country, with the aim of making parking simpler and more accessible for millions more. The RAC has cautiously welcomed the announcement, noting that the success of the scheme will depend on widespread adoption by car park operators.
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Meanwhile, concerns remain over existing parking enforcement practices. Drivers across England have reported receiving fines of up to £170 from private companies due to faulty ticket machines, even when vehicle registration details were correctly entered. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander acknowledged the issue, stating it must be addressed, while the RAC reiterated its call for the reintroduction of a government-backed code of conduct for private parking firms.
