40 YEARS OF THE BPA
BPA steps up to the mark ‘T ere has been a steady improvement in the organisation; it has become more eff ective due to its success and fi nancial stability. It is recognised that this is now the organisation that deals with parking in the UK, rather than the AA or RAC. ‘Likewise, relationships with civil
servants and junior ministers improved, they realised that the BPA is the organisation they need to speak to.’ Betts recalls growing professionalism among car park managers in both public and private sectors, with the former often unsung heroes in improving standards while always under fi nancial and political pressure. Praise is also due for championing the Safer
Parking Scheme, which now has thousands of award holders – ‘there’s been a recognition that shoppers are not only interested in cheap or free parking but where their car is safe and where they feel safe too.’ Given his considerable experience in local
government, Betts, now working as a parking industry consultant, sounds a note of caution about current public sector cuts. ‘T e maintenance budget is one of the easiest to cut and this may have an eff ect on the quality of car parks, with car park structures the possible eff ects could be catastrophic.’
Into the 21st century T e last decade has seen no shortage of major news events, including the launch of the London Congestion Charge, the debate about road pricing and the introduction of the Traffi c Management Act in 2004, not to mention an explosion in technology. Another theme for the decade was the devolution
of powers for Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. T e Welsh Assembly has made changes it believes would benefi t the population, with one of the most controversial being the decision to abolish parking fees at NHS Hospital Trusts. While the decision mirrors that taken in Scotland and is doubtless popular with hospital visitors, there has been concern over loss of revenue for the NHS Trusts and creating parking chaos around hospital premises – especially if parking facilities are close to nearby town centres. T e BPA Welsh region would like to see a change
28 SEPTEMBER 2010
in legislation to allow the private sector more scope to enforce parking on hospital grounds; at present, they have limited powers under the current arrangements of CPE. Signage, penalty charge notices (PCNs) and traffi c orders have had to be manufactured, printed or made available in both Welsh and English for some time within Wales, refl ecting the importance of the mother tongue. Meanwhile, in Scotland and Northern
Ireland, the Traffi c Management Act (TMA) has not been adopted so the 1991 Road Traffi c Act still applies, although parking managers can ‘cherry pick’ the most suitable parts of the TMA for the country,
We had hugely enthusiastic members who had not been given an opportunity to shine
for example, introducing a two-tier parking fi nes system, which reduces penalties for minor off ences. Following the London Congestion Charge
introduction in 2003, Edinburgh residents voted against the introduction of a congestion charge in their city by around 3 - 1 in 2005. Meanwhile, work is under way to improve the administration of the Blue Badge disabled parking scheme in Scotland. T e aim is to make the scheme fairer for all, with the introduction of a database of users – currently there are 4,500 blue badges in circulation in the names of deceased drivers! Decriminalisation of parking arrived late in
Northern Ireland, with the Traffi c Management (Northern Ireland) Order 2005, enabling civilian traffi c attendants to take over from the police in the enforcement of most parking restrictions including yellow lines, urban clearways, bus lanes, limited waiting parking places and pay and display bays. So in 2010 parking policies
are as diverse across the British Isles as they akways have been. As the BPA enters its
fi fth decade, the pressure on parking spaces is ever greater and politicians are realising the importance of
putting parking at the heart of planning. From its humble
beginnings, and driven by dedicated men and women, the BPA has matured into the voice of authority in this diverse industry.
www.britishparking.co.uk
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