National news Twentys the limit: new Welsh speed restriction Reduced speed limits on residential roads in Wales come into force on Sunday 17 September, when most will switch to 20mph. University Hospital of Wales paediatric emergency consultant, Dr David Hann speaking to the chief medical officer for Wales, Frank Atherton, during a visit to the hospital said: Slower speeds save lives. Every year in Wales we see the devastating impacts road traffic collisions have on children and their families. They are the single biggest cause of serious injury in children, who are typically walking or cycling. Atherton added: Were now just over a month away from the biggest change in community safety we have seen in Wales for a generation. Reducing speeds not only saves lives, but helps us to build stronger, safer communities. See also this months political perspective from Lee Waters MS, on pages 42-43. Safety groups welcome green man changes Active Travel England, an executive agency of the Department for Transport, is considering a change from six to seven seconds at pedestrian crossings. Road safety motoring groups have welcomed the proposal. Which? researches parking app scams Consumer organisation Which? is warning that drivers are being tricked into signing up for expensive subscriptions. Its investigation team discovered that rogue advertisers are hijacking promotions for parking apps and using QR codes to trick victims into setting up recurring payments. Read the full article at bit.ly/PNSept23Wh Parking Code call for evidence launched The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) has launched a call for evidence on the Private Parking Code of Practice, focusing on the impacts of changes to charges and debt-recovery fees. It is gathering further evidence to: 1. Assess the effectiveness of existing industry limits 2. Test assumptions made in the draft impact assessment that accompanies this call for evidence 3. Where relevant, strengthen the evidence underpinning that impact assessment The draft impact assessment considers the following five proposals and how they will impact the sector: Retain 100 charge limit with a 40 per cent discount for paying within 14 days, with debt-recovery fees capped at 70 Charges set at two levels depending on seriousness of offence, with 50/70 for England and Wales (outside London), 80/130 in London, and 80/100 for Scotland, with a 50 per cent discount for paying within 14 days. Debtrecovery fees would be reduced to 30 per cent of charge levels Same as the second option, but debtrecovery fees would be banned Charges set at two levels depending on seriousness of offence, at 70/100, with the discount for paying within 14 days remaining at 40 per cent. Debtrecovery fees would be reduced to 30 per cent of charge levels Same as the fourth option, but debtrecovery fees would be banned. The call for evidence is focused on understanding the implications of the measures proposed to address issues in the private parking industry, and to inform decisions on parking charges and debt recovery fees. Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove said: Our new Code of Practice will deliver a much fairer system for drivers and industry and [the] call for evidence is an important part of shaping this policy. I encourage everyone to come forward and have their say. The DLUHC will use this evidence to inform its delayed final impact assessment and consultation, which may be released towards the end of 2023. Sara Roberts, head of Conformity Assessment Body transition, said: The BPA welcomes this call for evidence, which provides an important opportunity to evidence the need for the parking charge amount to deliver a sufficient deterrent to enable effective parking management, and a debt-recovery fee to enable a debt-resolution process and support vulnerable motorists. We are encouraging members and wider stakeholders to respond by the deadline of 8 October 2023. Please go to bit.ly/PNSept23PCC You can read more about the call for evidence on pages 44-45. BPA AOS members can also view a BPA webinar on responding to the call for evidence at britishparking.co.uk/ Past-Webinars 8 PN Sept 2023 pp08-09 National News.indd 8 24/08/2023 10:59