Across the country, motorists will receive greater protection from "aggressive debt collection and unreasonable fees" as the Government cuts the private parking fine cap by 50%.

The new Parking Code of Practice introduced by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing, and Communities on Monday said the maximum fine will be reduced from £100 to £50 in England and Wales. 

However, the cap will exclude London, forcing drivers in the capital to still pay the full fine from private parking companies.

But, private car parks will have to display prices more clearly and use a fairer appeal system as well as give drivers a 10-minute grace period for lateness. 

Wandsworth Times: The fine will be capped at £50 across England. (PA)The fine will be capped at £50 across England. (PA)

Private firms who breach the new code could also be banned from collecting fines in the future, by having their access to Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) data cut off.

Minister for Levelling Up, Neil O’Brien has said the measures will protect motorists from "aggressive debt collection and unreasonable fees."

Adding: "Private firms issue roughly 22,000 parking tickets every day, often adopting a system of misleading and confusing signage, aggressive debt collection and unreasonable fees designed to extort money from motorists.

"The new Code Of Practice will set out a clear vision with the interests of safe motorists at its heart, while cracking down on the worst offenders who put other people in danger and hinder our emergency services from carrying out their duties."