Andy Burnham slammed over new parking rule over fears drivers will be ‘left out of pocket’

Andy Burnham slammed over new parking rule over fears drivers will be ‘left out of pocket’ Andy Burnham's new parking rule changes have come under fire from campaigners with many concerned they don't go far enough. Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Bookmark Add us as preferred source Comments By Luke Chillingsworth , Cars Reporter 08:32, Tue, Oct 20, 2026 Updated: 08:35, Tue, Oct 20, 2026 Campaigners have suggested Andy Burnham's new parking rules don't go far enough (Image: Getty) Campaigners have called out Andy Burnham’s new parking rule changes over fears motorists could still be left "out of pocket”. IAMRoadSmart has warned the Prime Minister’s new parking code doesn’t go far enough, with plenty of “potential traps” which could catch out motorists. The Government plans to lay out its eagerly-anticipated Private Parking Code of Practice today, with a series of measures aimed at stopping rip-off parking charges and car scams. The new Code will freeze the maximum parking charge at £100, and will also introduce new grace periods. Road users will be allowed 5 minutes to decide whether to park and 10 minutes to leave once a parking session ends. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT Motorists will also have the right to have charges cancelled on appeal for issues they can’t control, with fees scrapped on appeal for honest mistakes and for situations like a medical emergency, breakdown or a broken ticket machine. Mr Burnham said Labour were “introducing clearer rules, longer grace periods and lower charges for genuine mistakes” as he warned charges can sometimes make motorists feel “ripped off”. However, campaign group IAM RoadSmart stressed more could be done for drivers with two updates hot on their list. Director of Policy, Nicholas Lyes said: “It is welcome to see new protections put in place for drivers through a single code of practice; however, we would have liked to see a single appeals system and action against debt recovery organisations as part of the package.” Get the latest politics news - straight from our team in Westminster and more I would like to receive emails from the Daily Express featuring our latest products, services, offers, and promotions from across the Reach Plc family . Subscribe Invalid email You agree you are 18 or over. We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. You can unsubscribe at any time. More Info . “Ultimately, we need to get to a place where parking on private land is a seamless, straightforward, and clear process, not one fraught with potential traps which leaves drivers unfairly out of pocket.” Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT I’m a car expert - over 70s should do one thing now to beat this Andy Burnham rule change Major rule change for England homes without driveways begins on Wednesday, October 21 The new Code of Practice will introduce grace periods before fines can be issued (Image: Getty) The group was not the only ones to be disappointed with the announcement, with the AA admitting there was a “huge amount of work to do” such as tackling debt recovery fees. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT The RAC also suggested more action was needed as they too submitted a checklist for Mr Burnham to consider. RAC head of policy Simon Williams said: "This a step in the right direction to protect drivers from the poor practices of some private parking companies but not the leap we've been campaigning for for so long. "We've long called for the banning of debt recovery fees being added on top of parking charge notices (PCNs) and a single independent appeals body to replace the two industry-run ones, but neither have been included which is disappointing.” Andy Burnham Parking Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Bookmark Add us as preferred source Comments