Clamped... oh come on!

Zascar

I just got clamped and I'm pissed. I live on a quiet road in south dublin, the road has lots of terraced houses - none of them have parking spaces, so everyone parks on the road outside. I've been parking there, along with dozens of other cars, every day for the last year, and today they clamp me! Only me, none of the many other cars were clamped. I mean what the hell! Its a kind of road where there are almost always free spaces but there are many cars there all the time. I can't say I've ever seen anyone pay for parking, although there is a meter there. There is not much I can do so I paid it, but they say more the car within an hour but oh my god if I got clamped again I'll flip!

Yes I know, I know, you have to pay for parking, etc etc, but seriosuly, do they honestly expect everyone to shell out many euro's a day, every day!

crosstownk

Can you not get a residents permit from the relevant local authority?

milltown

Zascar wrote:

Yes I know, I know, you have to pay for parking, etc etc, but seriosuly, do they honestly expect everyone to shell out many euro's a day, every day!

Of course they do!

But as Crosstownk says, you should be able to get a permit if you live there. Possible exeption, if the house is rented, there may be only one permit per address and someone got it before you.

Unfortunately, the bottom line is: Unless you have something official to say you're exempt, if there's a charge for parking, you must pay!

Henry Ford III

Was the road marked no parking?

It's a pain in the ass when you get done and everybody else doesn't.

smarty

If you are a resident, then you may be able to get your money back. If you send a letter to the clampers proving that you live on the street (if your insurance is registered there), then you should be able to get a refund.

You should also be entitled to a residents parking permit.

Downtime

smarty wrote:

If you are a resident, then you may be able to get your money back. If you send a letter to the clampers proving that you live on the street (if your insurance is registered there), then you should be able to get a refund.

You should also be entitled to a residents parking permit.

Why should you be entitled to your money back? Yes you are entitled to a permit which costs 130 euro and if he had this he wouldn't have been clamped.

smarty

Downtime wrote:

Why should you be entitled to your money back? Yes you are entitled to a permit which costs 130 euro and if he had this he wouldn't have been clamped.

I said he "may" be entitled to a refund. Not that he "should" be entitled to a refund.

I know of another person who was clamped. He was a resident and didn't have a residents permit. After he was clamped, he paid the fine and then applied for a permit. When he received the permit, he sent a complaint to the clamping people and received a refund. It did take about six weeks to get the money back though.

Dades

Downtime wrote:

Why should you be entitled to your money back? Yes you are entitled to a permit which costs 130 euro and if he had this he wouldn't have been clamped.

I've a parking permit for outside my gaff - that was only €25 from Dun Laoghaire Rathdown Co. Council.

I think blocks of apartments are unable to get permits for each apartment, but a house with different tenents is different. You might just need your own insurance policy, plus a utility bill as evidence of residence.

Victor

milltown wrote:

But as Crosstownk says, you should be able to get a permit if you live there. Possible exeption, if the house is rented, there may be only one permit per address and someone got it before you.

Dublin City - Resident's permits
Houses - maximum 4, 1 per person
Buildings converted into flats,etc - 1 per household
Apartment buildings - generally no, unless in a low demand area.

crosstownk

The Atheist wrote:

You might just need your own insurance policy, plus a utility bill as evidence of residence.

AFAIK the local authority will require the VLC showing the registered address of the vehicle - This is the case with Dublin City Council but maybe other authorities are different.

Our man in Havana

You could change the address on the VLC for long enough to get the permit?

Seth Brundle

but in the case of the OP that would be after the offence.

Zascar

Yep, my apartment block has 9 apartments so I guess I'm stuck with it. cheers for the replies anyway

Zascar

OH MY F**KING GOD! I jst got clamped AGAIN! I'm livid. They are just picking on me now. What can I do, I have no where else to park!

comanche

Zascar wrote:

OH MY F**KING GOD! I jst got clamped AGAIN! I'm livid. They are just picking on me now. What can I do, I have no where else to park!

Ring up the people in the civic offices and talk to them nicely. Explain your situation and ask them how they can help you sort the situation out. They are quiet helpful.

mikedragon32

Zascar wrote:

OH MY F**KING GOD! I jst got clamped AGAIN! I'm livid. They are just picking on me now. What can I do, I have no where else to park!

Try putting some money in the meter you mentioned earlier!

They're not picking on you. You're violating parking regulations by not paying for your parking.

Apply for your permit and in the meantime, feed the meter! It's bound to be cheaper than clamping.

Dades

mikedragon32 wrote:

Apply for your permit and in the meantime, feed the meter!

I think the OP doesn't qualify for a permit.

Maybe a nice call to the County Co might work. Or drop by with the form filled out and a cheque.

Zascar

Thanks guys, Anyone who exactly who is best to call? Number?

Does anyone know how long you can leave your car there with the clamp on it befroe it gets towed?
Thanks

shakenbake

Zascar, don't mind all that sensible advise. Take a hammer, chisel and freeze spray to that lock and FIGHT THE POWER !!!!!! You just know you want to, don't fight the urge its GOOOOOD

On my way to work today I say no less than four cars clamped, belonging to a posh car dealership ... right outside the dealerships front door. I really felt sorry for the bloke to be honest, normally I wouldn't care less.

I can't help but think/know that the lads who clamp these cars are on minimum wage and get a real power trip out of it. I'd love nothing more than them to come back to an empty clamp someday with a note on it that says "STOP - **** you ! "

Zascar

I was advised the same on aother forum. A guy saud he got an angle grinder and took it off. Got a call a few weeks alter from them asking for their clamp back. He sent it via interlink for free!

I thought you'd get arrested for that sort of behaviour, or a fat fine at least

maidhc

Buy 2 clamps yourself for one side and park the car with the wheels right against the footpath on the other.

Our man in Havana

Then they will just lift you and take it to the pound.

maidhc

Bond-007 wrote:

Then they will just lift you and take it to the pound.

I don't think they can get the brackets on the wheels if two sides were pre clamped.


Another option would be to put a tarpaulin over the car and put a rudamentary drawline and lock to hold it in place. To clamp the car they would need to damage either the lock or the cover, something which I do not believe they are entitled to do.

(Yes, I am making these things up as I go along!)

HelterSkelter

Zascar wrote:

I was advised the same on aother forum. A guy saud he got an angle grinder and took it off. Got a call a few weeks alter from them asking for their clamp back. He sent it via interlink for free!

I thought you'd get arrested for that sort of behaviour, or a fat fine at least

Don't believe everything you read on internet forums!!

\m/_(>_<)_\m/

Zascar wrote:

I just got clamped and I'm pissed. I live on a quiet road in south dublin, the road has lots of terraced houses - none of them have parking spaces, so everyone parks on the road outside. I've been parking there, along with dozens of other cars, every day for the last year, and today they clamp me! Only me, none of the many other cars were clamped. I mean what the hell! Its a kind of road where there are almost always free spaces but there are many cars there all the time. I can't say I've ever seen anyone pay for parking, although there is a meter there. There is not much I can do so I paid it, but they say more the car within an hour but oh my god if I got clamped again I'll flip!

Yes I know, I know, you have to pay for parking, etc etc, but seriosuly, do they honestly expect everyone to shell out many euro's a day, every day!

sorry, but you fail to say weather your car was illegally parked or not...
now if its not, I'm sure you have a case and the clamp will be removed.
if you are illegally parked, would you like to get preferential treatment over every other motorist in the country.

Mr Magnolia

\m/_(>_<)_\m/ wrote:

sorry, but you fail to say weather your car was illegally parked or not...
now if its not, I'm sure you have a case and the clamp will be removed.
if you are illegally parked, would you like to get preferential treatment over every other motorist in the country.

pay and display!

Jood

Its very easy to say "Pay and Display" but I'd say it would get mighty expensive, get on to the county council cee what they can do for you.

HelterSkelter

\m/_(>_<)_\m/ wrote:

sorry, but you fail to say weather your car was illegally parked or not...
now if its not, I'm sure you have a case and the clamp will be removed.
if you are illegally parked, would you like to get preferential treatment over every other motorist in the country.

Would you feel the same if the council came and turned the area outside where you live into a pay & display area, costing up to €34 a day to park??? I thought not.

Victor

HelterSkelter wrote:

Would you feel the same if the council came and turned the area outside where you live into a pay & display area, costing up to €34 a day to park??? I thought not.

Residential areas aren't made P&D by councils "just like that", it goes through the council area committee, referendum of the residents and then to a vote by the full council. Most residents can get permits for under 100 euro per year.

Seth Brundle

Victor wrote:

Most residents can get permits for under 100 euro per year.

€100 is a bit steep for something other citizens get for free!

Hotblack Desiato

kbannon wrote:

€100 is a bit steep for something other citizens get for free!

Parking on the street is a privilege, not a right. If you want free parking then buy a house/apartment with an off-street parking space (there's a reason these cost more.)

The usual reason P+D is brought in in a residential area is to prevent the street being filled with the cars of commuters, shoppers etc.

Victor

Flip side is some people have to pay 40 grand in the city centre to buy a space.

Parking is in limited supply. It has to be rationed somehow.

\m/_(>_<)_\m/

HelterSkelter wrote:

Would you feel the same if the council came and turned the area outside where you live into a pay & display area, costing up to €34 a day to park??? I thought not.

you can get a residents permit to park out side your house...

so yes i would... it would stop non residents parking outside my house...

Victor

I PMed Zascar and this is an edited version.

Victor wrote:

Zascar wrote:

Thanks, I live on ............ in ..........

OK, definitely the city council you need to talk to.

What you are looking for is a resident's permit (Part III of the bye-laws). They may give you some visitor's permits (part IV of the bye-laws) to cover you while your application is being processed. http://www.dublincity.ie/Images/Bye-Laws%202005%20as%20adopted%20May%2005_tcm35-12820.pdf

The rules are very specific about what you need to get a resident's permit. Car insurance certificate in your name at that address, car registered there, etc. Utility bill or similar to prove youa re living there. It is very strict to stop scamming. Fee would be 70 euro per year.

In the mean time, find somewhere nearby that won't get you clamped. the village has P&D, but ........... Road is the general limit of P&D.

http://www.dublincity.ie/living_in_the_city/getting_around/by_car/parking/

Once you get yourself sorted, if you wish, try to appeal here: http://www.dublincity.ie/living_in_the_city/getting_around/by_car/parking/clamping_and_tow-away_appeals_service.asp

I, um, helped write the 2003 bye-laws :

Victor

maidhc

ninja900 wrote:

Parking on the street is a privilege, not a right. If you want free parking then buy a house/apartment with an off-street parking space (there's a reason these cost more.)

Unless you are of the opinion that city dwellers are somehow less entitled to own a car than others, I would have thought the ability of a resident to park his or her car in the neighbourhood is closer to the "right" side of things.

The attitude taken by Cork City Council to parking permits is beyond a joke, and according to some unlawful. Here for a rather amusing account.

ambro25

Zascar wrote:

I was advised the same on aother forum. A guy saud he got an angle grinder and took it off. Got a call a few weeks alter from them asking for their clamp back. He sent it via interlink for free!

Sounds fishy and is quite the urban myth alright. Do you have any idea how hard/easy it is to remove a clamp with an angle grinder without damaging your wheel/tyre in the process? Unless you're built like a brick sh1thouse, an angle grinder is extremely difficult to control in the position you'd have to hold it to cut the bars - you'd no sooner grind your tyre and make a nasty scuff on your alloys :rolleyes:

Now with the angle grinder-sized (110V version with 12V in -car adapter) of one these babies...



Carbide-tipped = no sparks and twin blades = no 'recoil' whatsoever. Got one (clamp) off in the UK several years ago in 20 secs flat And made Court as a result. And got away with it. (and for the little story, and prevent mucho flamo, the car was not on public land/road, it had been unlawfully clamped on private land but the clampers didn't want to know d1ck about removing it at no charge - so they got it for one clamp and Court fees )

Of course, you should always P&D. I do whenever I use the car (which is not very often at all - get a bike and the problem will be mostly solved )

Victor

maidhc wrote:

Unless you are of the opinion that city dwellers are somehow less entitled to own a car than others, I would have thought the ability of a resident to park his or her car in the neighbourhood is closer to the "right" side of things.

Exactly. Who should be able to park on residential city streets? The residents or commuters?

HelterSkelter

\m/_(>_<)_\m/ wrote:

you can get a residents permit to park out side your house...

so yes i would... it would stop non residents parking outside my house...

Not in all circumstances. I think if you live in a house that has been split up into apartments there is only one permit for the house. That leaves 3 or 4 other people having to pay for parking.

Victor

HelterSkelter wrote:

Not in all circumstances. I think if you live in a house that has been split up into apartments there is only one permit for the house. That leaves 3 or 4 other people having to pay for parking.

No, one per residence, up to 4 per building.

HelterSkelter

Victor wrote:

No, one per residence, up to 4 per building.

Ok. What about apartment blocks (where no private parking spaces are provided)?

Victor

HelterSkelter wrote:

Ok. What about apartment blocks (where no private parking spaces are provided)?

The simple answer is read the bye-laws.

No new apartment block would get planning for no parking. Existing ones may get some leniency.

HelterSkelter

Victor wrote:

The simple answer is read the bye-laws.

No new apartment block would get planning for no parking. Existing ones may get some leniency.

Okie dokie. Thanks.

\m/_(>_<)_\m/

HelterSkelter wrote:

Ok. What about apartment blocks (where no private parking spaces are provided)?

don't move in to one without parking...

HelterSkelter

\m/_(>_<)_\m/ wrote:

don't move in to one without parking...

"I'm alright jack"

Anan1

HelterSkelter wrote:

"I'm alright jack"

If you want to drive, you'll need a car. In exactly the same way, if you want to park you'll need a space. Would you move into a house without a kitchen and expect to cook at home?

Hotblack Desiato

maidhc wrote:

Unless you are of the opinion that city dwellers are somehow less entitled to own a car than others, I would have thought the ability of a resident to park his or her car in the neighbourhood is closer to the "right" side of things.

Actually, nobody has the "right" to park a vehicle in a public place wherever and whenever they please. The fact that laws and bye-laws on parking are often not enforced doesn't mean they don't exist.

I can't figure out why Newstalk 106 does "beat the clampers" and how they get away with it. I doubt they'd get away with "beat the breathalyzer" or "beat the speed trap" but illegal parking is somehow ok?

Zascar

Oh No! The Moral Nazi's are here! Run Everybody, Run!

HelterSkelter

Zascar wrote:

Oh No! The Moral Nazi's are here! Run Everybody, Run!

Yup, it's a joke isn't it.

I'm sure a lot of these "you must follow all rules and regulation" Nazis have a policy in their Job/College of not using the internet for non-business use but that rule is conviently overlooked.

Anan1

HelterSkelter wrote:

Yup, it's a joke isn't it.

I'm sure a lot of these "you must follow all rules and regulation" Nazis have a policy in their Job/College of not using the internet for non-business use but that rule is conviently overlooked.

That's a cop out if ever I saw one. You might be better served by addressing their arguments, don't you think?:)

\m/_(>_<)_\m/

Zascar wrote:

Oh No! The Moral Nazi's are here! Run Everybody, Run!

wow... would you like a burger with that chip...

any way, dont forget to pay your fine,
oh and if you do decide to cut your next clamp off (because by the looks of it your easy money for them now)... they have the right to do you for criminal damage.

Hotblack Desiato

Zascar wrote:

Oh No! The Moral Nazi's are here! Run Everybody, Run!

:rolleyes: ^1000

The ONLY reason clamping etc. was introduced in Dublin was because motorists, collectively, could not or would not park responsibly and legally without it.

If it was your driveway being obstructed every day by ignorant commuters / shoppers / Luas P+R fee dodgers then I'm pretty sure you'd have something to say about that. Or an ambulance or fire engine coming to attend to your house which was blocked by illegally parked cars...

I don't know about other councils, but Dublin City Council actually makes a loss on pay and display parking and clamping. They do it to better manage a limited resource in the interests of everyone. If you have a problem with that then take it up with one of your local county councillors (you do vote in local elections, don't you?)