Bill targeting ’cowboy’ private parking firms to be launched

A members’ bill intended to crack down on rogue private parking firms is being launched at Holyrood this week.

Scottish Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser will officially begin the public consultation on Friday, with the aim of introducing legal protection for motorists who receive parking tickets from private companies.

The bill would seek to cap the fines controversial firms can issue, bringing them into line with penalties issued by local authorities.

An independent appeals panel would also form part of the legislation, to ensure members of the public have a trusted organisation to rule on contentious fines.

Private parking firms have been repeatedly criticised for using “immoral” tactics to force motorists to pay up.

Mr Fraser said: “I started this campaign three years ago after receiving hundreds of emails, letters and phonecalls from drivers who had been incorrectly fined at one particular private carpark in Perth.

“After subsequent research and analysis, it became clear that this is not an issue specific to Perth but one that affects the whole of Scotland.

“Motorists up and down the country are being taken advantage of and pressured into paying parking charges without adequate access to a fully independent appeals process.

“Fines are too high and the tactics used to elicit payment verge on the immoral.

“Tackling cowboy parking companies will require the input of not just drivers but the industry itself, and I am now calling on interested parties to give their feedback on my proposals.”