Improving parking standards

Hospital parking is a topical debate in the industry and beyond. Motorists often view it as an unscrupulous way to make money and an additional burden for visitors and patients, but this need not be the case. All decisions regarding parking enforcement and management at hospitals are the responsibility of hospital Trusts, who manage their own parking facilities, and we want to work closely with these Trusts to ensure they pick the right solution for their facility.

Positive steps
Due to the high profile debate on this subject there are misconceptions amongst the general public that parking enforcement at hospitals is operated solely to create revenue at the expense of those using the facility, and is often carried out by rogue operators.
    
Parking enforcement is, in fact, a positive step for the NHS. Without the correct management and maintenance, hospital car parks can easily become unregulated park and rides, inconveniencing staff, patients and visitors alike. Trusts need to strike a balance between ensuring spaces are available for the people that need them without inconveniencing people who use them.     
    
Above all, enforcement revenue in hospital parking facilities is not particularly profitable when administrative costs are considered.

Regulated parking can allow each NHS Trust to provide an adequate balance. All charges can be set by each Trust – not by the procurators, therefore allowing the Trust complete control and to use their local knowledge to deliver a fair system, making enforcement a positive step for every user.

Approved operators
The majority of parking tariffs are subject to local pricing, availability and demand, along with additional facility overheads. The majority of Trusts should be solidly supported by their parking operators, who provide concessionary tariffs for long-term visitors and also subsidise staff charges by using revenue from visitors parking at the facility.
    
A key part of a Trust’s decision-making process in their parking debate is to ensure they are taking on board a parking operator which adheres to best practice, for example a member of an Approved Operator Scheme.
    
Since its launch in October 2007, the BPA’s Approved Operator Scheme has gone a long way to achieving greater fairness within unregulated parking on private land. Working alongside operators to improve standards, the Scheme is supported by a Code of Practice with which members have agreed to comply.
    
The BPA’s Approved Operator Scheme and its Codes of Practice represent a layer of self-regulation set up by an industry that is very keen to raise standards. It aims to improve the industry by introducing better practice, and this can only be achieved by working in partnership with operators to help them to deliver the best service they can.
    
21 April saw a significant step forward, as the British Parking Association announced the formation of the first Approved Operator Board, with a number of specialist groups represented to ensure a balanced and objective panel. The groups include government members, consumer groups, private operators, landowners and BPA council members.

Revised code
The Code of practice to which all operators must adhere has been revised and was launched for consultation on 21 April. This provides for even more robust measures to further protect the consumer.
    
The BPA is committed to delivering continuous improvements that benefit the public. Two recent developments will undoubtedly eradicate more of the ‘cowboys’ that exist, closing current loopholes for good.
    
Currently, electronic access to DVLA vehicle keeper information is restricted to Approved Trade Association (ATA) organisations (the BPA is currently the only one), however, manual access is still open to anyone, which means the ‘cowboys’ can still gain access to vehicle details if they so wish. On 15 April, the DVLA made an announcement that sets to change this process. Currently in consultation, the plan is to restrict manual access to driver details and vehicle information, effectively ensuring that any parking operator accessing DVLA information must comply with an enforceable Code of Practice such as that which underpins the BPA’s Approved Operator Scheme.  
    
In addition, the Home Office recently announced greater restriction of clamping activity, with the announcement of a consultation on a compulsory licensing scheme for all clamping companies. As part of this scheme, clamping companies will be required to be a member of an ATA, and abide by an enforceable Code of Practice to obtain a licence. Within the parking industry, this need would be met by the British Parking Association’s Approved Operator Scheme, which is the only scheme of its kind currently in operation.

Appropriate enforcement
Since becoming an Approved Trade Association in October 2007 the BPA has seen industry standards improve and is keen that these standards are applied across the board and should especially be considered in the issue of hospital parking.
    
The BPA is all about driving standards forward and protecting the motorist. There are many things to consider when developing appropriate parking enforcement for NHS Trusts across the UK and we will provide the necessary help and guidance for the Trusts.
    
The creation of a ‘multi disciplinary’ AOS Board has been one of our aspirations since we launched the scheme, and we are looking forward to the board’s input into developing the scheme. We are dedicated to creating a fairer environment for motorists; the only way forward is to make life difficult for the cowboys, and we do not want cowboys operating any hospital parking facilities anywhere under our watch.

For more information
Web: www.britishparking.co.uk