**Calls Grow for Private Parking Firms to Increase Transparency Over Disputed Fines**
Private parking companies are facing mounting demands to reveal the full scale of appeals against potentially “unfair” parking tickets, as concerns rise about the lack of transparency in the industry. The RAC, a longstanding motoring organisation, has urged parking operators to voluntarily disclose data on how often disputed fines are successfully overturned, contending that secrecy only adds to public mistrust.
The conversation around private parking ticket appeals has gained traction amid official Government consultations on a long-anticipated legislative code of practice designed for the sector. The aim is to enhance transparency and address practices that too often leave motorists feeling powerless against what they perceive as unjust penalties.
Currently, two independent bodies handle appeals on behalf of drivers: Parking on Private Land Appeals (Popla) and the Independent Appeals Service (IAS). Disconcertingly, the RAC’s own research shows both publish scant, sometimes outdated, reporting on appeal outcomes. Notably, Popla had yet to release its annual report for the period ending September 2024 at the time of writing. Meanwhile, although the IAS has made its 2024 report publicly available, it fails to specify how many appeals were upheld or rejected, leaving key questions unanswered.
Looking back, the last time the IAS offered a breakdown was in 2021/22, when it disclosed that a striking 94% of cases were settled in favour of private parking companies. This high rate of company-favoured outcomes raises concerns among consumer advocates about the fairness of the appeals process and the actual likelihood of drivers successfully contesting a ticket.
Compounding these concerns, recent findings highlighted by the PA news agency revealed a sharp increase in the number of private parking tickets dispensed across the UK. For the year ending March 2024, an unprecedented 14.4 million tickets were issued — up 13% from the previous 12 months, and more than twice the number handed out just five years before. With individual fines reaching up to £100, motorists could be facing an aggregate daily cost approaching £3.9 million.
Simon Williams, Head of Policy at the RAC, has pointedly stated that if the industry stands by its assertion that most tickets are issued fairly, there should be no hesitation in publishing full complaints and appeal statistics. “The industry claims there isn’t an issue with tickets being issued unfairly as drivers can get them overturned when they appeal. But while stories of drivers being treated poorly are all too common, data on the true number of complaints and successful appeals isn’t available,” Williams remarked, pressing for fuller disclosure as a step towards rebuilding public confidence.
In response to these persistent questions over fairness and accountability, the Government has adopted a consultative approach to introducing a binding code of practice. Earlier in July, Local Growth Minister Alex Norris acknowledged widespread frustration: “Too many people are being unfairly penalised,” he commented, signalling intent for stronger regulation.
The IAS—responsible for appeals from members of the International Parking Community—has asserted its commitment to openness, calling on organisations like the RAC to join efforts to “improve the transparency and accountability of private land parking practices.” Stressing a generally smooth experience for most motorists, the body argued that issues are the exception rather than the norm, though this claim is difficult for the public to verify without definitive figures.
Popla, which considers appeals linked to the British Parking Association, has not publicly responded to calls for greater transparency, further fuelling debate over the adequacy of current accountability in the sector.
As record numbers of penalty notices continue to be issued, pressure is mounting for parking companies to “come clean”—not only to reveal how many complaints and appeals there actually are, but also to demonstrate whether motorists’ concerns are being treated fairly and consistently. The outcome of the ongoing Government consultation and how the industry reacts to these transparency appeals may well shape the future of how parking disputes are handled across the UK.