Victims of “unfair parking charges” at Harrogate hospital have called on the government to revive a code of practice for parking companies to abide by.

Since Chorley-based company Parkingeye was brought in by Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust to operate its car park, the Stray Ferret has received numerous complaints of unfair parking tickets being issued.

The hospital brought in the firm to manage its new parking arrangements in September, which includes automatic number plate recognition and a ticketless system.

However, patients have been subjected to unfair fines and dragged through arduous appeals processes to overturn their charges.

Now, some of those who came forward to the Stray Ferret to speak of their experiences have called on the new Labour government to introduce tighter regulation of the industry.

In February 2022, the then Conservative government proposed a code of practice which would have forced private parking firms to cap charges and introduce adequate signage.

However, just four months later, ministers dropped the legislation after a legal threat from parking companies.

In a letter to Clive Betts MP, chair of the levelling up, housing and communities committee, in April 2023, Dhenna Davison, minister for levelling up, said the code had been temporarily withdrawn in light of the challenge.

She said:

However, since then, no updates appear to have been published on the status of the code or whether the new Labour government will revisit the policy.

‘Serious controls’ on industry

Those subjected to unfair charges in Harrogate have called on ministers to look again at the legislation.

Derek Sendrove was issued a fine after parking at Harrogate hospital when he and his wife, Zhanna, were undergoing treatment in October 2023.

Mr Sendrove said the couple had registered their card with the app, which makes it possible to pay for parking via mobile phone.

However, on a visit on October 30, which lasted 44 minutes and would cost £4, the card was not recognised. 

Mr Sendrove said the card has been valid every other time they have used the car park.
The couple were subsequently handed a £70 fine by Parkingeye, which Zhanna appealed but was refused.

Speaking to the Stray Ferret this week, Mr Sendrove said he would back further controls on the industry.

He said:

Such a call has also been echoed by Christine Fitzpatrick, of Birstwith, who was fined despite proving evidence that she had paid a parking fee via her bank statement.

Despite repeated correspondence with Parkingeye, Ms Fitzpatrick conceded and paid the fine.

However, she said the industry needs stronger regulation. She said:

Despite the change in government, no indication has been given on whether ministers will revisit the code.

The Stray Ferret approached the Department for Transport to ask whether the legislation will be revisited, but had not received a response by the time of publication.

In June the industry’s two accredited trade associations, the British Parking Association (BPA) and the International Parking Community (IPC) published their own slightly watered-down single code of practice, which they say will be implemented by October 1.

However, an industry backed code of practice may prove cold comfort for those who say they have already been treated unfairly by the industry.

The Stray Ferret is calling on the new government to introduce legislation to properly regulate the private parking industry, so that drivers are not hit with unfair parking charges. 

Have you been effected by parking at Harrogate District Hospital? Share your experience with us at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk or leave a comment below.