1 hour ago
3
Getty Images
Drivers will be able to use any of the large parking apps to pay
Councils across England have been urged by the government to sign up to a single, nationwide parking payment app to cut the risk of fines for drivers.
The system, known as the National Parking Platform (NPP), allows motorists to use any of the large parking apps to pay, rather than having to "scramble" to download new ones for each new car park.
Ministers have now imposed statutory guidance to accelerate take-up, with the aim of doubling the number of participating councils.
Fifteen local authorities have signed up to the platform so far, with the government claiming the platform helps to take out "the sting of unfair fines".
While it is not law, statutory guidance is official advice issued by the government that public bodies - including councils - are expected to follow and could be challenged on if they ignore it without good reason.
Following a trial in 10 local authorities in England, the government launched the system nationwide last year and said it has since processed more than 10 million payments.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said the results prove "how much people value a simpler, more straightforward way to pay".
Under the NPP, drivers can use any of the main parking apps in any car park which is signed up to the scheme.
This means, for example, a car park which uses the Ringo app would also accept payments from the JustPark app.
On Thursday, the government will unveil its Better Connected transport plan, which aims to improve travel across the country.
Councils will be encouraged to consider how the NPP could extend beyond parking to cover road tolls and electric vehicle charging as part of the strategy.
Motorists' association the RAC has welcomed the introduction of the platform but said it needed to be taken on much more widely before it made a real difference to drivers.
Nearly half of those surveyed said they preferred to pay by card or contactless payment on their phones.
The NPP is run on a not-for-profit basis by the British Parking Association (BPA), which represents parking operators.
Despite the BPA taking on the costs of running the platform from the government last year, it said this would not lead to higher prices for drivers.
