Over-the-top parking fines could be a thing of the past as measures championed by Daniel Zeichner MP are finally adopted by the government.

In a crackdown on “cowboy” operators, private parking firms will see the price of tickets they can charge halved. They will also be banned from issuing penalties for errors, such as if someone mistypes their numberplate, and a new appeals system will make sure “unfairly” issued tickets are refunded if a paper ticket slips off the dashboard.

Mr Zeichner has hailed the news as a victory for shoppers. The Cambridge MP has been campaigning for change over many years and highlighted the issue when shoppers at the Co-op on Histon Road started getting £100 fines after a change in the status of the parking bays in front of the parade of shops.

Under the new rules the maximum fine would be £50 and halved to £25 if paid within two weeks.

Daniel Zeichner MP said: “Eventually we’ve got some movement on this, and the timing is good news, because it will give shoppers more confidence as the economy begins to open up again that they won’t be unfairly penalised by cowboy operators. This is something I have raised in Parliament and when I have spoken at the British Parking Association’s events. Let’s hope this spells the end for the Wild West of dodgy parking companies.”