A CONTROVERSIAL parking firm has been dropped after an MP accused them of using rogue' tactics to charge motorists for parking at an industrial estate.

Landlords Bizspace announced yesterday that Effective Car Parking Management's (ECPM) contract at Lomeshaye Business Park had been terminated after tactics used by the company were raised in the House of Commons.

Pendle MP Gordon Prentice tabled an early day motion after receiving complaints from motorists who had received £90 charges through the post after leaving their cars at the site.

His motion criticised the business's manager, Matthew Brough, who also ran S&B Parking, the company which was previously responsible for parking at the site but had its contract terminated following complaints last year.

Mr Prentice's motion asked the House to consider that "Brough's business practices are wholly unacceptable and that he is a cheat and a fraudster and that the debt collectors mentioned in the parking tickets have no rights of entry or rights to seize goods and that anyone with a ticket who believes they have been entrapped by Brough should refuse to pay and insist on the matter going before the courts."

The motion began: "This House notes with grave concern the plight of scores of people who have received multiple penalty notices couched in the most threatening terms from Effective Car Park Management (ECPM) for allegedly parking without authorisation on private land at the Lomeshaye Business Village in Pendle owned by Bizspace..."

Gareth Evans, managing director for Bizspace, said the company could not comment on why they had given the second contract to Mathew Brough because it could prejudice their legal position.

He said: " I can confirm we have terminated the contract with Effective Car Parking Management.

"I am unable to comment on this matter because of the position we are in.

"This matter is with the lawyers and I can't make any further comment."

He was unable to comment on the enforceability of the tickets but added his company would not be looking to enforce the tickets issued by Brough's company but that he could not speak for ECPM.

After hearing that Bizspace had terminated the contract, Mr Prentice said: "I am pleased that Bizspace has given Brough his cards. His business practices are totally unacceptable."

Pendle Council leader Alan Davies, who previously accused S&B parking of extorting money', welcomed the news.

He said: "This is excellent news and I hope it will stop the complaints.

"The main issue that needs to be sorted out on a national basis now is the parking companies ability to get names and addresses from the DVLA.

"This is fundamentally wrong."

Matthew Kibble said the problems with the parking enforcement was so bad that he has moved his business away from Lomeshaye.

Mr Kibble, who runs Matthew Kibble Transport, said getting rid of ECPM was "the best thing that could have happened."

He said: "They hounded staff and customers.

"The problem was so bad that I decided to move the business to Nelson.

"Brough should never have been employed for the second time."

Sanderson, a dance and fitness group with offices on the business village, sought legal advice after their business was affected by the ticketing.

Greg Boyes, solicitor with Backhouse Jones Solicitors, Clitheroe, is advising Sanderson's on their communication with Bizspace.

He said: "We welcome the news that Bizspace have cancelled their contract with Effective Car Park Management, but it is unclear at the moment whether ECPM will continue to allege that the tickets issued remain payable.

"Business has been affected at Sanderson's, which is seeing established visitors and customers of long-standing, reluctant to come and enjoy dancing lessons as they have previously done.

"We think there have been more than 2,000 tickets issued over Christmas and the New Year, because we have seen tickets with numbers upwards of 2,500 on them which is indicative of there being more than 2,000.

"Our communication with Bizspace on behalf of customers and visitors is continuing and we remain hopeful of a prompt and swift resolution."

Andrew Holden, regional operations manager at Bizspace, refused to provide contact details for Effective Car Park Management because it may prejudice their legal position.

Mr Brough could not be contacted for comment.

Leeds-based ECPM, registered at Companies House as MJB Car Park Management, with an address in Morley, West Yorkshire.

Bizspace announced they had ended their contract with S&B after tenants complained they were being hit with £90 fines even though they had permits In September 200 motorists refused to pay tickets issued by previous enforcement firm S&B Parking.