Mary Creagh Calls Wakefield Parking Summit

Wakefield MP Mary Creagh is to hold a parking summit in January to help people avoid being hit by unfair parking charges.  Ms Creagh is taking action after receiving complaints from Wakefield residents about the unfair parking charges issued in the city.  One resident living on disability benefits was fined £120 after pulling into the Smyth Street car park whilst suffering an angina attack.   

Ms Creagh’s summit will bring together Cllr Denise Jeffery and council officers to provide a comprehensive factsheet so people don’t get caught out by unfair parking charges.   In advance of the summit the Wakefield MP has made a 3 point parking pledge to the people of Wakefield. 

1) She will support any constituent where they have been issued an unfair parking charge by a private car parking operator.

2) She will campaign for better and clearer signage at private car parks in the city.

3) She will lobby Government Ministers for the creation of an independent appeals tribunal – taking appeals out of the hands of the private car parking operators. 

Mary Creagh, MP for Wakefield said: “I have written repeatedly to try and help my constituents but the company refuses to reconsider any of the unfair charges they have imposed on Wakefield residents.”  

“Commercial car park operators should provide a service, not seek to make vast profits by unfairly fining their customers.  Self regulation of the private car parking industry clearly hasn’t worked.  The British Parking Association’s code of practice has failed to prevent companies like Excel from levying unacceptable fines and threatening legal action against vulnerable people who have committed no offence whatsoever.”  

“I’ve talked to many people who have been treated disgracefully, which is why I’ve called the Wakefield parking summit and made my parking pledge.  Enough is enough.”     

Cllr Denise Jeffery, Wakefield Council's deputy leader and cabinet member for regeneration, said: "I am looking forward to meeting with Mary and our officers to discuss these private parking issues, which I know many people have strong feelings about. It is important people understand their rights when using these facilities."