Campaigners Demand Action on Car Park Safety After Multiple Deaths
Families push for 'Gabe's Law' and transparency on inspection findings following preventable fatalities.
Image: Eddie Pollard / AI
Carla Rooney
A persistent campaign for enhanced multi-storey car park safety continues, driven by families who have lost loved ones in falls.
The Multi-Storey Car Parks (Safety) Bill, first introduced in the House of Commons in 2023, faced immediate parliamentary time constraints. It failed to pass again in 2025 despite its urgent provisions.
This proposed legislation mandates that all perimeter barriers in multi-storey car parks rise from 1.1 meters to 2.7 meters. It also requires 24-hour on-site security at these facilities.
MP Maria Eagle has reintroduced the Bill to Parliament. Its second reading is now scheduled for Friday, September 4.
The changes proposed in the Bill will be an important step to making multi-storey car parks safer and ensuring lessons are learned to help prevent future tragedies.
Three additional families, whose loved ones died or were injured in similar falls, have since joined the campaign. Their collective voice amplifies calls for immediate action.
Natasha Perry's son, Josh Perry, died aged 21 after falling from the Liverpool Central car park in Renshaw Street in March.
An open letter has been dispatched to Merseyside Police, local MPs, and Liverpool City Council. It urges the immediate publication of findings from an inspection of multi-storey car parks in Liverpool.
A Prevention of Future Deaths report was issued by a coroner following an inquest. The inquest determined a specific car park did not comply with current building regulations.
The reality is that since 2020 there have been at least eight preventable deaths in Liverpool following falls from multi-storey car parks, one which has been proved at a recent inquest to not be compliant with current building regulations.
The Secretary of State referenced a 'forthcoming call for evidence' in response to the coroner's report. This indicates a potential, albeit delayed, shift in governmental approach.
Johnny Santer added, "This led to the coroner issuing a Prevention of Future Deaths report (PFD) to which the Secretary of State responded by making reference to the 'forthcoming call for evidence'. We hope it comes soon before there are further tragedies."
Families involved in the campaign appeal directly to the government. They demand delivery on its promised call for evidence regarding building regulations, perimeter guarding design, and wider fall and accidental prevention measures.
Johnny Santer welcomed the legislative efforts, stating, "We welcome Maria's re-introduction of the Bill to Parliament and encourage others to support the Bill when it is brought back to the chamber in early September."
Since 2020, at least eight preventable deaths have occurred in Liverpool following falls from multi-storey car parks.
This history of legislative delay, spanning from 2023 to 2025, highlights a systemic failure to prioritize public safety. It leaves vulnerable individuals exposed to known hazards.
Stakeholders, including grieving families and concerned citizens, are exerting immense political and public pressure on Liverpool City Council and the Secretary of State. They demand accountability and immediate regulatory enforcement.
The economic implications of these proposed changes, while significant for car park operators, are dwarfed by the societal cost of preventable deaths and injuries. This forces a reevaluation of industry standards.
The future landscape of urban infrastructure demands a proactive approach to safety. It must move beyond reactive measures to implement comprehensive design and operational standards that prevent future tragedies.
This legislative push, driven by the tragic loss of individuals like Josh Perry, represents a critical juncture for both industry regulation and governmental responsibility. It sets a precedent for future safety mandates across public spaces.