New parking laws introduced

Drivers will now get a 10-minute grace period before being given a parking ticket under new measures introduced by the government.

Under the new laws to help local shops, drivers will get extra time when parked in a bay. This will prevent fines for being just a few minutes late back to the vehicle – be it in a paid or free parking space.

The government is also banning the use of CCTV ‘spy cars’ for on-street parking enforcement in the majority of cases.

The measures are designed to stop over-zealous parking enforcement which often forces people to shop in out-of-town centres or online and were approved in the last reading of parking reforms in the Deregulation Bill.

Other measures protecting drivers include new powers for parking adjudicators so they can hold councils to account to tackle parking problems such as poor signage at specific locations.

And a powerful new right enables residents and local firms to demand that their council reviews parking in their area, including the charges and use of yellow lines.

Fines at out-of-order parking meters when there is no alternative way to pay will also be scrapped.

Communities Secretary Eric Pickles said: “We are ending the war on drivers who simply want to go about their daily business. For too long parking rules have made law-abiding motorists feel like criminals, and caused enormous damage to shops and businesses.

“Over-zealous parking enforcement undermines our town centres and costs councils more in the long-term. Our measures not only bring big benefits for high streets, motorists and local authorities - they put common sense back into parking.”

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin added: “Helping local businesses thrive is a key part of our long-term economic plan. These measures will deliver a fairer deal for motorists and help boost the high street by ensuring that parking enforcement is proportionate, while also protecting school children and keeping key routes and bus lanes clear.”