The Government plans to urge councils to introduce a new national parking system that aims to simplify payment methods.
Plans for local authorities to join the National Parking Platform (NPP) scheme are intended to help limit unfair fines faced by motorists.
With 15 councils having adhered to the changes so far, the Government is said to be issuing statutory guidance that is intended to double the number of local authorities signed up to the platform by encouraging them to begin using the ‘one-stop-shop’ parking app.
While the current system requires motorists to download multiple different apps for separate locations, the NPP will allow drivers to use any of the prominent parking apps in car parks that are part of the scheme.
Councils will be expected to implement the new rules according to the Government’s advice, even though the guidance will not be made law.
A trial in England last year resulted in the Government rolling out the system nationwide and processing over 10 million payments since its launch, with Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander commenting that the outcome highlights ‘how much people value a simpler, more straightforward way to pay’.
RAC senior policy officer, Rod Dennis, said the NPP rollout could remove the complication associated with using many different mobile parking payment apps.
He added: ‘We now need as many operators as possible to join the scheme to make parking easier for everyone.’
An NPP spokesperson said: ‘The National Parking Platform (NPP) represents a positive step forward for drivers, giving them greater choice and making it easier to pay for parking using the app they already know and trust.’
