DfT hands over control of National Parking Platform to the sector

23/05/2025 | DOMINIC BROWNE

DfT hands over control of National Parking Platform to the sector

The Department for Transport (DfT) has handed the National Parking Platform over to the British Parking Association (BPA), in a move that could shake up the sector while presenting a much easier service to drivers.

The national platform sits behind the public-facing commercial apps of the different parking companies and will help manage the market under terms 'to ensure transparency, sustainability, and public value' the DfT said.

This means drivers can pay for parking in all participating car parks on their preferred app, 'ending the scramble to download multiple apps, and encouraging a more flexible parking experience'.

Long-term it is set to shift the parking sector from a model where companies compete for individual local authority parking management contracts to one where parking companies compete for individual customers from the nation's millions of drivers.

The Government had initially supported the development of the platform with seed funding and expertise but it will now be delivered by a consortium of industry leaders including Ringo, JustPark, and PayByPhone, all under the oversight of the BPA.

In a press statement, the DfT argued that currently, drivers face 'inconsistent parking rules, clunky user experiences, and unnecessary barriers to something that should be simple'.

'The National Parking Platform fixes this, connecting participating car parks to a shared platform, through which drivers can pay using any approved app — cutting confusion, reducing the chance of fines, and opening up the parking market to fairer competition,' DfT officials said.

Minister for the future of roads, Lilian Greenwood, commented: '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.'

Highways understands the parking industry will set up a not-for-profit vehicle to run the platform. Although the exact funding model has not been clarified to the press yet, Highways has been told a number of options have been considered through the planning stages including a transaction fee system.

The DfT said it will maintain oversight of the platform by monitoring the sector’s compliance with established terms.

The platform has been rolled out in 10 local authorities and already handles over half a million transactions a month.

Andrew Pester, BPA chief executive, said: 'This announcement marks the result of six 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 new consortium will start bringing in more local authorities imminently, to ensure that easier, simpler parking is rolled out to more drivers as soon as possible.

Highways InProfile

latest magazine issue
Highways jobs

Senior Engineer

Starting Salary from £43,545 based on skills and
Job TitleSenior Engineer (x2 v... Frogmore Complex, Wandsworth, London,
Recruiter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Electrical Design Engineer

Grade 9 £35,412 to £39,152 - Grade 10 £38,220 to £41,771 - Grade 11 £40,777 to £45,091 - Grade 12 £44,075 to £48,226 p.a.
The Construction Consultancy Services (CCS) team provide client-side construction consultancy services across a range of professional disciplines to d Durham
Recruiter: Durham County Council

Street Lighting Electrician CDC

Grade 8, £33,708 - £37,399
Highways Operations is a growing service area within the Place directorate. Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Recruiter: City Of Doncaster Council

Assistant Traffic Management Technician - WMF2311e

£26,403 - £26,824
This is a predominantly office-based role with some site visits required. Penrith, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Senior Lawyer Planning and Highways - WMF2312e

£56,883 - £59,198
To be a success in our Legal Team you will have experience as a Planning and Highways Lawyer Cumbria / Various
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Street Cleansing Operative

£26,403.00 - £28,142.00, Grade 5, 37 hours, Permanent
An opportunity exists in the Council's Street Scene Services for a Street Cleansing Operative Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Wakefield Council

Civil Engineering Technician (HDM)

Grade 4 - Grade 6
Do you want to join a team helping to shape the future of Wakefield through Highways Development Management? Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Wakefield Council

Highways Maintenance Operative Apprentice

£28,729.00 per annum (Subject to review)
As part of your apprenticeship, you will be enrolled onto a Lead Traffic Management operative course Staffordshire
Recruiter: Amey

Highways Maintenance Operative Apprentice

£28,729.00 per annum (Subject to review)
As part of your apprenticeship, you will be enrolled onto a Lead Traffic Management Operative level 2 apprenticeship Goole, East Riding of Yorkshire
Recruiter: Amey

Highways Maintenance Operative Apprentice

£28,729 (Subject to review)
As part of your apprenticeship, you will be enrolled onto a Lead Traffic Management Operative level 2 apprenticeship Rothersthorpe, Northampton
Recruiter: Amey

Head of Design Services

£77,536 - £83,366
You will lead the delivery of a high-performing Technical Services Partnership (TSP). Lincolnshire
Recruiter: Lincolnshire County Council

Highways Maintenance Operative Apprentice

£28,729.00 per annum (Subject to review)
As part of your apprenticeship, you will be enrolled onto a Lead Traffic Management Operative level 2 apprenticeship Ecclesfield, Sheffield
Recruiter: Amey

Highways Maintenance Operative Apprentice

£28,729.00 per annum (Subject to review)
As part of your apprenticeship, you will be enrolled onto a Lead Traffic Management Operative level 2 apprenticeship. Barnsley, South Yorkshire
Recruiter: Amey

Highways Maintenance Operative Apprentice

£28,729.00 per annum (Subject to review)
As part of your apprenticeship, you will be enrolled onto a Lead Traffic Management Operative level 2 apprenticeship Knottingley, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Amey

Civil Enforcement Officers x 2

£26,403.00 - £28,142.00, Grade 5, 37 hours, Permanent
Parking Services are looking to recruit 2 full time Civil Enforcement Officers to complement its existing workforce. Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Wakefield Council

Highways Development Officer

£37,280 - £40,777
This is an exciting time for a talented, self-driven professional to join us in the role of Highways Development Management Co-ordinator. Gloucester
Recruiter: Gloucestershire County Council

Principal Highways Development Officer

£48,226 - £51,35
This is an exciting time for a talented, self-driven professional to join us in the role of Highways Principal Development Management Co-ordinator . Gloucester, Gloucestershire
Recruiter: Gloucestershire County Council

Highway Design and Construction Manager

Grade N, scp50 £62,443 to scp53 £65,663 per annum, plus essential car user allowance
We embrace AI to enhance our operations and to innovate our services. Bolton, Greater Manchester
Recruiter: Bolton Council

Team Leader (Maintenance Operations)

Grade 10 - £48,226 - £51,356
Cardiff is growing faster than any other capital city in Europe. Cardiff (Caerdydd)
Recruiter: Cardiff Council

Highways Supervisor

£Competitive
We have a fantastic opportunity for a permanent Highways Supervisor Forfar, Angus
Recruiter: Amey
SUBSCRIBE NOW

Latest Video

Subscribe to Highways today to ensure you keep your finger on the pulse of everything happening in the UK road network throughout the year.

SUBSCRIBE NOW