British Parking Association Reviews 

I complained to the BPA in June this year as Britpark gave me 2 tickets for overstaying in one of their car parks even though I had left in between that time and returned.

BPA's Code of Conduct states - Repeat users of a car park in a 24-hour period sometimes find that their first entry is paired with their last exit, resulting in an "overstay". Operators are aware of this and are now checking all ANPR transactions to ensure that this does not occur.

I told the BPA that Britpark were breaching their Code of Conduct and their response was "Please note should we identify a breach of a point raised in our Code of Practice, our role is to seek rectification by the operator - if the charge was issued in error and has subsequently been cancelled, we would not investigate this further as the operator has taken the appropriate steps to rectify their error"

So while I complained and my tickets were cancelled how many vulnerable people who didn't complain and got letters demanding £100 payment didn't? I asked this question and got ignored. It seems that if the parking company backs down BPA don't care how many breaches of their "Code of Conduct" occur. They might as well not have one.

"Britpark provided everything I asked them to including the readouts from the ANPR system which confirmed your vehicle was only captured entering once and exiting once hence there was no reason for them to believe there was a problem with the cameras or that the tickets were issued incorrectly, until you provided evidence to show otherwise." - the parking company would provide the first and last readouts though wouldn't they? Conveniently missing out the ones in the middle. Obviously they're doing it to try and get money out of people who can't prove they were elsewhere.

I specifically dealt with Anne and Laura. Both are evasive and just repeat the same things.

These kind of firms should be illegal absolutely taking advantage of the general public. Appeals process is a sham. Hope we see better regulation of sharks like this.

Car got robbed. On top of that the parking ticket machine was broken and the sign was so wet that it was unreadable. Then reserve an £100 fine. Generally was the worst experience ever and have never felt more unsafe. Please do not park with this company.

By the time I parked, chose my lunch in the co op whilst at work, queued to pay, got ID’d for a can of Monster, ate my lunch I went over the 20 minute maximum stay for customers which I genuinely wasn’t aware of not being from the area. This is not an issue where I live. You cannot speak to anyone at the BPA and my details not recognised online when trying to appeal. Absolutely disgraceful way to treat customers and I will never whop at the co op again.

See response from them almost a year later!!! Pathetic really!! Jog on we’re just a number and we don’t respect humans and hide behind a generic response. Not interested and stick your condescending, thank you for your review, comment!!

Hahaha, why is it not a surprise to me that this company receives constant 1* reviews? Of course they do - any organisation which has a referral from the scammers at Horizon Parking isn’t going to be known for fair and just treatment. I don’t know why I’m laughing, probably hysteria.
BPA Thank you for taking the time to reply, - FYI, I have left a review of Horizon Parking. Whether or not they’ll have a look at it idk, I haven’t been able to get in touch with them to discuss the matter.

BPA - 029813
I think BPA believe a Code of Practice is just a document needed to obtain DVLA ATA status enabling AOS members access to DVLA vehicle keeper details. They give the impression they either don't know how to enforce their code or refuse to enforce it to ensure their operator's business strategy is not compromised.
An impartial investigation to my evidenced complaint was expected as DVLA ATA standards indicate. What I actually got was 3 flawed biased investigations and factually incorrect responses from BPA AOS Compliance Team. They ask for evidence, I provided pages of evidence they ignored and/or took their operator's version of events as fact. Furious I complained again detailing numerous failings and inaccuracies and requested a review.
Their AOS team couldn't identify any of the 8 code breaches I'd evidenced. No surprise once I realised it's NOT their goal to identify any code breach by their AOS operators. Their reasoning for their decisions proved that.
My charge notice photographs contained no time date stamp as the code states. Instead of admitting this the AOS Manager made an attempt to justify the stamp was present claiming it "may not be as clearly visible." Its not visible at all its completely absent to the naked eye and the photographs, they were "reduced in size to fit" the charge notice!!! The fact remains there is no time date stamp as code states yet AOS team say no code breach.
Does providing a reason exempt it from a code breach? My reason for failing to comply with carpark terms didn't exempt me from GroupNexus £100 charge.
Another of my evidenced code breach was denied as it was a technical issue. My charge was on hold after I appealed. During that period GroupNexus breached the code causing alarm and distress by sending me a charge reminder and increased my charge cost. They advised AOS team "their system was not updated which meant my charge was not placed on hold and a reminder was erroneously issued." BPA audit their operator's code compliance. Their audit skills were clearly below par during GroupNexus audits as they failed to identify their system was not code compliant but an error producing system for motorists who had appealed.
I challenged BPA about this issue but they refused to admit or deny they had already received complaints about this code breach which hadn't been actioned nor did they indicate to me they would employ corrective measures now to prevent reoccurrence. BPA seem happy to let poor practice flourish.
I was only made aware of this technical issue after my complaint to BPA. No apology from GroupNexus. My attempt to engage with them by letter to query their charge reminder was ignored just as AOS team ignored this letter I provided as evidence for code breach C31.1.
BPA excuse their operator's code breaches as errors without action or sanction while at the same time advocating the majority of motorists alleged parking errors are penalised with an absurdly high monetary charge. This demonstrates just how bias and unfair this Association is. Secretary of State needs to review their ATA status as BPA are clearly not meeting the required standards.
I remain confident the 8 non compliance issues are code breaches. BPA state my case shall remain closed I intend to ensure it is reopened and BPA's failings addressed. Next port of call DVLA and my MP. I've also started an online gov uk petition asking government for a public inquiry into private parking industry's conduct and practices. Maybe a formal inquiry may succeed where the rest of us have tried and failed to convince this industry to accept responsibility for it's mistakes and teach some how to apologise!!!
UPDATE : MY RESPONSE TO BPA's REPLY

I think you mean no further action will taken unless instructed to by a recognised authority. Parking my car was not the frustrating experience it was my nightmare pcn journey and BPA's poor complaint management. Regulation you were expected to perform it not just support it as it's necessary for effective parking management. This is outlined in the new code with Accreditation now assessed/awarded by the independent UK Accreditation Service who will also ensure necessary processes are in place for ATAs to audit/action members code compliance. The role of new Scrutiny and Standards Board is not yet confirmed.
Your critism of the government for not publishing an impact assessment detailing effects of new code on your industry is rich. What about the impact your sharp practices/repetitive errors has on pcn recipients? The legal action taken by your industry saw the new code withdrawn June 2022. Hope this action further convinces government your interest lies with pcn generatated income not fair effective parking management.

Wow, what an organisation. Referred two cases to them, the first where one of their members totally relied on electronic surveilance and electronic number plate recoginition. Gave evidence of malfunction with opportunity to contact independent witness. This was not done and member continued to instigate so called parking fine. Any follow up was down to me. Second member having actually received my parking charge, verified, required proof that I had paid? having received my money. Then proceeded to demand pfn? Not against the code of practice? Theft, coercion whatever. How are these cowboys allowed to continue??

I read a few pages, all ridiculous. My story is the private parking company sold my car without court order, even more ridiculous. The question is we are all robbed by them, how much efforts we need to turn things around. It’s naive to talk about fairness

After my first review, having been told via email that the case had been investigated and they found no breach of the parking association code, I received another email out of the blue saying because of my complaint an area manager was going to visit site and investigate, good I thought seems better than the first response. Some weeks later another email is received saying this had been done and the car park was compliant with the code (code 19 entrance signage) I find that amazing given I had sent them photographs and videos showing the car park has zero entrance signage 🤷🏼‍♀️
I politely replied asking for photographs of the entrance signage (surely an area manager would document his/her investigation with photographs evidencing the required signage) but as yet no reply to even acknowledge my request. I had held off on making my formal complaint to the ICO until this had concluded, but it seems as others have asserted there’s no will on the BPA side to ensure the companies are fully compliant with the codes. I believe this is facilitating parking companies unlawfully obtaining data via the DVLA by claiming to be accredited by an association that is clearly not bothered about it’s code being properly followed, the fact the DVLA delegates it’s duty as a data controller is a whole other matter and legal action is being progressed in regards to this.

I fully believe in the principles behind parking regulation, however this must be properly regulated and fair, many companies are not acting as they should and this association is not behaving as an objective regulatory body.
Very disappointing how poor this sector is regulated, an independent ombudsman will hopefully come with the legislative changes that are due, the fact that legislation is deemed necessary, only shows that the current checks and balances aren’t fit for purpose.

In response to BPA reply. I can’t read entrance signs if they don’t exist, this location had/has no entrance signage at all, if you had made a proper investigation to my complaint I would expect a proper, sufficiently detailed report as to why you feel the car park is compliant with photographic evidence that counters the evidence I have provided, rather than one line to say “it’s compliant” and to then ignore my email asking for details and evidence.

Pathetic organisation that sides always on those of the unlawful and violent “enforcement agencies” pretty sure they must pay you a nice chunk on the side to keep you sweet.

Soon new regulatory bodies will be coming in and these scum will be a thing of the past.

A complete racket and pathetic communication.

DO NOT BOTHER complaining to them becuase they will never take your side even with genuine represntations. Teir attitude is why should be bite the hands of those to keep us going.

I was wrongly issue a parking fine by Parking Eye and even with a valid complaint and proof supplied by NHS facilities managers they did not accept my complaint and worse still not even a apology for geting it wrong. THEY STUCK WITH THEIR SUPPORT FOR PARKING EYE EVEN THEY FALSLEY ISSUED A PENALTY CHARGE.

SHOULD BE CLOSED DOWN AS NOTHING MORE THAN A WASTE OF RESOURCES.

The BPA is a Racket, it is effectively a cartel made up of all the shady and dodgy private parking companies constantly trying to make a quick buck out of peoples lack of understanding of parking law. They have no enforcement power and the companies they 'regulate' are charlatans trying to scare people into paying money they don't legally need to - don't listen to them, and don't be fooled into thinking they are anything more than a front to make a grubby little industry look regulated and legitimate - Clowns.

Issued PCNs by both organisations with zero consideration for equality act or ICO compliance. BPA will stand behind its registered members irrespective of 'right or wrong' - there are so many loop holes in the car parking system that includes threatening the paying customer's credit record and you can rest assured that there won't be an independent review.

This industry struggled through Covid and now they are after your cash to recoup some or those lost fees.

Double Dip Fraud
Complaining to BPA is a complete waste of time as they simply take the side of cowboy parking companies who fund them.
After visiting Colton Retail Park Leeds twice in the same day, we were issued with an overstay charge from UKPC.
There only evidence is an entering and departing camera shot. However they have clearly missed the first departure and second entrance. I also have a witness who can verify where my car was during the alleged overstay period. UKPC and POPLA chose to ignore my appeal and POPLA simply dismissed the appeal without checking the footage themselves.
I have complained to BPA who have once again simply accepted UKPCs incorrect evidence. I asked them to get UKPC to send me the footage so I can have it forensically reviewed, as it is impossible to speak to anyone at UKPC but they ignored my request.
I will take UKPC court and will contact my MP about this matter as I dread to think how many innocent people have been issued with these fake charges and have had no help whatsoever from BPA in their requests for justice

Are you going to order UKPC to to supply the footage, or just do nothing except be totally biased towards your funders?

April 22 of 2022, HAD to rush my partner to EMERGENCIES due to partial left side arm and leg numbness, stayed for 1h 44m, the time it took for my partner been seen.
I wasn't there to trade or rest, I WAS there in NEED. got a parking charge.
How this is possible in a EMERGENCY?

Absolutely useless. Popla and the British Parking Association are clearly in the pockets of the private parking cartels.

The whole private parking ‘industry’ is nothing more than extortion and racketeering. APCOA manage at least one car park on railway land. The first thing to note is that if you book a ticket for, let’s say 3 days, don’t expect that to be 3x24 hours, they have a cut off on the third day (or any length of booked days) at 4am. If this catches you out you’ve had it. They will come at you with breaking bylaw 14 (a statutory reason for a fine, which should be brought by a statutory body- court- and fine paid should go to the ‘crown’).
There are no laws that give authority for a private company to demand payment of a penalty based on statute. So then the scam begins. They use their KADOE contract with DVLA to get keeper’s data- using a breach in contract claim (car park signage claims you will be in breach of an assumed contract….oh and railway byelaw 14 which they are using just so that they can talk about ‘criminal’ activity.
So they breach their KADOE (they’re not allowed to ask for data with one reason (breach of contract) and then use the data for another (pay or we’ll prosecute for byelaw 14- prosecution avoidance model). The KADOE contract also abides by POFA 2012 regulations which do not cover parking on railway land. If you read the BPA guidelines for operators they fudge over this problem by suggesting it’s ‘reasonable’ to apply the same parking rules to railway land to obtain keeper data…even though they’re not allowed to within POFA 2012.
THEN we have the issue of who is liable. Under Railway byelaws it’s the motorist. The car park signage (ambiguous at best) speaks to the driver presumably. So they somehow twist all of this to make the ‘owner’ liable. They claim that they have the authority to assume the keeper and owner are one and the same.
If you question their model, and also question who is actually liable, and question whether their obtaining of your data has been honest and transparent and not in breach of GDPR 2018, it seems they will bounce you, without response, to Debt Recovery Plus (DRP), who run their own racket. They drop the pretence that this has anything to do with byelaws. They don’t even bother to mention keeper, owner or driver (although they have let slip that it’s the driver who breached contract later in correspondence) and they just add £70 to the already extortionate (at last also agreed by MP’s) £100 fine for no apparent reason. DRP have links with Bristow and Sims- bailiffs so they are well versed in bullying and intimidation tactics, but their paperwork is a mess.
Anyway, this tacks on to the lengthening list of breaches in that, chasing an alleged debt when the ‘customer’ has queried the debt and NO response has been given, goes against FCA rules and regulations.
Aggressive debt recovery is one of the many things these private parking companies have been called out for.
Yet in all of the above the BPA- a regulatory body, yeah right- turns a blind eye, so long as they pay their subscription.
It’s taken the gov to finally attempt to cap the £100 to £50 by 2023 (why wait?)
How much money have private parking companies taken from people with all of these scams? We should be prosecuting them, and claiming a payback.

Scam artists!!… This company is the worse one of them all!! None of these car parking scams would be happening if it wasn’t for this company. I think it’s disgusting how they can even enforce other companies corrupt policies! Ripping off the working class, threatening letters etc. I wish there was something we could all do together to stop companies like this.

CLEARLY SCAMMING CUSTOMERS. JUST MADE ANOTHER ATTEMPT TO PAY ONLINE AND AGAIN TELLS ME CARD ISSUER DECLINED PAYMENT. TRIED MULTIPLE TIMES TO PAY AND MUTIPLE CARDS ALL DECLINED OVER SEVERAL DAYS. SENT A CHEQUE AND NOW HAVE A REMINDER TO PAY AT THE HIGHER RATE ??, SENDING ANOTHER RECORDED DELIVERY AT THE REDUCED RATE.

Let’s be clear – this organization is really a chummy club for the multiple scum parking companies out there. They all pay to be members, and therefore, this organization cannot be seen as independent.
They completely lack transparency in their operation. I raised a concern about parking signage and processes at one particular site. The complaint was immediately dismissed as I had not provided evidence. So I returned, measured and took photos of the site in question and raised another complaint. I was particularly concerned about this site as I had received a ticket, as had many others, based on poor signage. Note that I did pay this ticket as I was guilty, my aim was to make sure more were not suckered into this. After a delay – COVID was sited – I received a mail that they had done an on-site survey and found everything complied. I asked to see the survey results to find out when (if!) it took place, the evidence of photos and measurement and the guidelines it was compared against. They refused to provide this information, which can mean one of three things:
- The survey never took place
- They don’t have guidelines that they can compare reality to
- They won’t share this information as it is regarded as sensitive
But shouldn’t the public have a right to know what guidelines they are saying are being followed? Their Code of Practice is very vague in that area. Assuming, of course, such guidelines exist. I raised this as another complaint that was never responded to.
It also appeared that they had discussed my particular case with the operator, though I had never raised a complaint against that. They must have gone out of their way to find my details and gave me a full breakdown of my case – which I was not appealing against. I am sure this contravenes privacy laws, as I never raised my case with them in the first place, but that’s a story for another day.
So whatever they say about transparency is baloney. The whole parking ‘scene’ is just a mess.
Looking at other Google reviews, this bunch do seem to have people whose sole job is to respond to poor online reviews. That must be a really satisfying way to spend your day! Get a proper job.