New laws have been introduced to regulate privately run car parks following years of accusations that rogue firms were entrapping motorists and levying excessive penalties. Parking companies will be forced to sign up to a code of practice which is expected to provide vehicle owners with more leeway to pay for parking and put a £100 cap on penalties. Companies will have to ensure signs are clear and there will be a ban on threatening letters demanding payment. Andrew Pester, British Parking Association chief executive, welcomed the move, adding: “This framework will enable greater consistency and consumer confidence.”

The Times