In the history of human invention , there 's nothing that matches the car . We rely on them every day . To do our jobs , drop the kids off at school , or take an elderly relative shopping . Cars mean freedom and independence , and most importantly of all , convenience . But years of crazy parking rules have made many law-abiding shoppers and drivers feel like criminals , and caused enormous damage to local shops and businesses . We all know the story . You return a minute late to find a parking ticket slapped on your windscreen . Or maybe you run a local shop , and customers have dried up because what you sell costs less than the parking fee . Local Government and Communities Secretary Eric Pickles ( left ) and Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin ( right ) have vowed to end the 'war on the motorist ' with their new 'common sense ' approach . In 2010 we said this war on the motorist must end . That meant not only changing the rules , but changing attitudes , because under the previous Government councils were encouraged to fleece shoppers and rivers for every penny , treating them like cash machines on wheels . This included spying on and filming drivers going about their daily lives . Where if you made a mistake it would mean an expensive bill in the post . If you protested it could mean a doubling of the original fine , or an angry bailiff knocking on your door . And all these parking rules were changed without proper debate by Parliament . Residents and businesses just had to suffer in silence . The minister says they want to see 'fairness and balance ' restored to the system so parking no longer generates profit . These rules have now been changed during this parliament . Local residents and businesses will be able to demand a review of parking in their area , including charges and the use of yellow lines . Parking adjudicators will be able to hold councils to account so they can look to change signs and stop charging fines in areas where parking tickets keep being issued . They have also vowed to end the industrial use of CCTV 'spy cars ' to enforce on-street parking . We are bringing back common sense . Very soon shoppers and drivers will also benefit from 10 minute 'grace periods ' for council-controlled parking , whether it 's on or off-street , paid or free . It means you wo n't get fined for being a few minutes late . We 're also ending the industrial use of CCTV 'spy cars ' to enforce on-street parking . The new rules will end the plague of parking tickets in the post , but ensure public safety as CCTV will still be used to protect schools , bus lanes and red routes . Why have we done this ? Because we want see fairness and balance restored to the system . As a result it will no longer possible to use parking to generate profit and we 're cracking down on the use of aggressive bailiffs . And in another victory for common sense parking at an out-of-order meter will not result in a fine if there is no other way to pay . There are also occasions where shoppers and drivers receive a fine and appeal because they genuinely believe they 've done nothing wrong . We 'll be trialling a new system so if this happens to you , you 'll receive a 25 % discount even if the appeal is lost . These changes are great news for drivers but they are good news for town centres and business too . People supporting their local high street will be able to enjoy shopping without constantly worrying about trigger happy parking wardens waiting to pounce . Under the previous administration life became unbearable for those behind the wheel as town halls failed to recognise the countless benefits that cars bring . We 're ending this pointless war on motorists so that you do n't feel like a criminal just for parking your car .
Move comes from Eric Pickles and transport commissioner Patrick McLoughlin . They want to ' change laws ' to prevent shoppers being ' fleeced ' for money . Grace parking restrictions apply to on and off - street council parking , paid or free . Also announced calls for residents and businesses to restrict parking .