Department for Transport Encourages Local Authorities to Consider Joining the National Parking Platform

‍National Parking Platform welcomes Government support as momentum continues to build across the UK.

The National Parking Platform (NPP) is delighted to welcome a new letter from the Department for Transport (DfT), with Roads and Buses Minister Simon Lightwood MP encouraging local authorities across England to consider joining the NPP as part of the Government's vision for a better connected transport network.

The letter highlights the important role the NPP plays in supporting the Government's Better Connected Strategy by making parking simpler for motorists while helping local authorities deliver more integrated, user-friendly transport services.

Originally designed and developed by the Department for Transport, the NPP is now operated independently as a not-for-profit, open platform, enabling drivers to use their preferred parking app wherever the NPP is available—removing the frustration of downloading multiple apps in different towns and cities.

The Minister's letter recognises that decisions around parking payment contracts remain a matter for individual authorities. However, it also acknowledges the growing success of the platform and the increasing number of councils preparing to join, while encouraging authorities to explore how the NPP can support their own local transport objectives.

A Growing National Movement

The NPP continues to gain momentum, bringing together local authorities, parking service providers and technology partners to create a more open, competitive and customer-focused parking ecosystem.

By joining the NPP, local authorities can:

• Give motorists the freedom to pay with the parking app of their choice.
• Improve the customer experience by removing unnecessary barriers to parking.
• Support greater competition and innovation within the parking marketplace.
• Benefit from improved data and insights to help inform future transport planning.
• Become part of a growing national network working together to modernise digital parking services.

Michelle Boshoff-Turner, Head of Engagement at the National Parking Platform, said:

"We're incredibly encouraged by the Department for Transport's continued support for the NPP and its recognition of the benefits it can deliver for both local authorities and motorists.

Every new authority that joins brings us another step closer to making seamless parking a reality across the UK. The National Parking Platform is built on collaboration, openness and choice, and we're excited to continue working with councils of every size to help simplify parking for millions of drivers."

Looking Ahead

With more authorities already onboarding and further interest continuing to grow, the National Parking Platform is entering an exciting new phase of expansion.

The NPP team is ready to support any local authority wishing to explore the platform, understand the onboarding process and discover how it can fit within existing parking strategies.

If your authority would like to find out more about joining the National Parking Platform, we'd love to hear from you.

Contact the National Parking Platform team today to start the conversation.

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