AN MP has hit out at private parking firms who charge residents "unfair and extortionate fines".

Kate Green, MP for Stretford and Urmston, has expressed her concern in parliament about the lack of regulation around private parking operators.

She said residents have been in touch with her about unfair fines they received on the old Iceland car park in Seymour Grove, Old Trafford.

When unpaid these fines have escalated into court proceedings and bailiff involvement.

Legislation which would enforce a parking code of practice and require parking operators to meet proper standards, or risk penalties if they do not, is passing through parliament and is now in the House of Lords.

In parliament this week, Ms Green asked the government what laws could be put in place to protect people from being ripped off by private parking operators.

The Minister told Ms Green that the government would welcome suggestions of what would need to be covered in a new parking code of practice.

She is now asking residents to share their experiences and views about what a new law would need to cover.

Ms Green said: “I’m really concerned about the number of residents who’ve been getting in touch with me because they’ve received unfair fines from private parking operators.

“While the bill now passing through parliament introducing new regulations won’t have retrospective effect, I hope it passes swiftly into law to protect local motorists in the future.

“I’m keen to hear from residents about what they’d like to see in any new law regulating the private parking sector. Please contact me with any suggestions on kate.green.mp@parliament.uk.”