A MAJOR parking change is set to kick in for all drivers in England, bringing relief to millions.
Labour has backed the introduction of a new app in the near future that will offer motorists an easier way to pay for their parking.
The National Parking Platform will allow drivers to pay for parking through a single app in an industry first.
The “one app fits all” platform means you will no longer have to download multiple apps for different operators.
It follows successful trials launched by the Government and the British Parking Association, which will now roll out the new platform.
The changes are an effort to provide clarity and offer a simpler option to drivers.
The Government say the new platform will allow drivers to pay for parking in all participating car parks on their preferred app, providing a more flexible parking experience.
Led by the British Parking Association, it will be delivered by a consortium of industry leaders, including Ring Go, JustPark and PayByPhone.
At present, drivers face inconsistent rules and barriers when using car parks across the UK.
The Government claim the National Parking Platform will remedy this and connect participating car parks to a shared platform.
Drivers should then be able to pay using any approved app in a bid to reduce confusion and the chance of fines.
Minister of the Future of Roads, Lilian Greenwood, said: “This government is on the side of drivers and dedicated to giving everyone simpler, more flexible parking.
“I’m delighted that this fantastic project is being taken on by the parking sector with no extra cost to taxpayers.
“This is public infrastructure done right: built by government, shaped with councils and now delivered by the sector that knows it best, at a time where we’re investing a record £1.6 billion through our Plan for Change, to mend our pothole-ridden roads that damage cars and £4.8 billion to deliver new road infrastructure that will better connect people.”
The parking sector is set to work with councils to run the new platform on a not-for-profit basis.
The Government will maintain oversight of the platform which has already been rolled out in 10 local authorities.
The new consortium will now look to onboard more local authorities across the nation.
BPA Chief Executive, Andrew Pester, said: “Today’s announcement marks the result of 6 years of dedicated work by our parking sector to make paying for parking easier.
“We’ve strongly supported the National Parking Platform from the start, so we’re thrilled with this outcome and excited to collaborate with the Department for Transport and the new NPP company to create a better parking experience for all drivers.”
The platform is also an effort to crack down on private parking firms
Before February, drivers using car parks with camera technology could be fined for failing to pay in the first five minutes of their stay.
The change was put in place after Rosey Hudson was charged £1,906 for taking more than five minutes to pay for her parking.
Instead of paying in the first five minutes of their stay, Brits now need to pay before leaving the car park.
This change applies to all car parks using ANPR technology.
However, the rule change will not apply to privately run car parks without camera technology or to sites run by firms who aren’t registered with the BPA or IPC.
The rules are part of the Private Parking Code of Practice, a voluntary set of guidelines established by the BPA or IPC.
