British Parking Association

The BPA, Europe’s largest traffic management association, offers members professional status, skills development, networking, working groups, specialist technical information and representation at government level.
 

The British Parking Association (BPA) is a 650-strong membership association for the parking and traffic management industry. Members come from both the public and private sectors and include car park operators, local authorities, health authorities, manufacturers, bailiffs, airports, railways, shopping centres, theme parks and consultants.

It is the largest professional association in Europe for the industry and as such represents, promotes and influences driving issues and standards throughout both the UK and European Union. Benefits for members include:

• Professional qualifications and training
• Industry awards
• Approved Operators code of practice
• Publications – industry news, views and technical developments
• Networking –regional groups, special interest groups, events
• Exhibitions, seminars and workshops.

The BPA is interested in parking and traffic management in its widest sense whether that be legislation, technical issues, workforce development, media relations and public perceptions. Its remit between 2007 and 2012 is to:

• Champion the cause of the industry and those who work within it
• Improve recognition and profile of parking and related matters
• Improve public understanding of parking issues
• Improve professionalism in the industry
• Develop the skills agenda.

“It is important that all traffic laws, whether they are made for safety or traffic management reasons, are complied with by everyone and not just those with a UK-registered vehicle. In an increasingly mobile EU where free trade and travel are promoted, compliance with the law should also be promoted,” said BPA Chief Executive Patrick Troy.

“If it is right to regulate parking, loading and the way traffic behaves in a particular locality, then compliance is for everyone and it is unfair when foreign registered vehicles can avoid or evade payment.

“Significant costs are incurred by civil enforcement authorities in carrying out enforcement; these are being undermined by foreign registered vehicles to an increasing extent. We believe that all parking and traffic enforcement should be fair and should be seen to be fair.”

As a member of the SPARKS Network the BPA will be gathering support, sharing knowledge and helping to promote activities through its communication channels and networking events.

“Our relationship with the UK government, especially the Department for Transport and Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, is helpful in developing the protocols required to share data about foreign-registered vehicles if and when the law is altered to allow this,” said Patrick Troy.

For more information on the BPA visit www.britishparking.co.uk