Private calmping is now Illegal :O

Tallon

At least in the UK anyway

A new ban that came into force today means it'll be illegal to clamp, tow away or immobilise a vehicle on private land without lawful authority. Granted this is only in the UK at the moment but at least it's a step in the right direction.

There is a small loophole in that "bodies acting in accordance with statutory or other powers" working for the likes of railway stations or airports can still clamp your car, but the blanket powers that generated stories about clamped hearses, police vehicles, AA vans and cars with the engine still running have been removed.

Owners of private land will still be able to issue penalties and now have the powers to install ticket machines to raise revenue.

But in a second victory for the driver, we can now challenge penalties at an independent appeal service.

This has been set up to mirror the appeal service already available if you think your on-street penalty was issued unfairly and it's legally binding if it finds in your favour. The only drawback is that it only applies to penalties issued by parking contractors on the British Parking Association's approved operator list.

Via MicksGarage

Mr Simpson

Thread disappoints. I thought this was about Ireland

paulmclaughlin

Private clamping was always illegal.

Guy:Incognito

"without lawful authority"

What does that constitute? Each carpark being giving permission by a judge/police?

"now have the powers to install ticket machines to raise revenue"

Surely private carparks in the UK were allowed use a ticketing system before?I know I've used plenty.

Tallon

paulmclaughlin wrote: »

Private clamping was always illegal.

No, it has always been a grey area! This is a step towards proper regulations.. Albeit UK

goz83

I'm against clamping in so many areas, but there are some areas, which require it, council, or private, but with proper regulation. For example; I rent two offices at a very small shopping centre. There is a small convenience store, doctor surgery, pharmacy and hai dressers on the ground level and some counselling and therapy offices upstairs. There are about 30 parking spaces in the small car park. I notice that the car park gets much busier when school term is on. I see people parking their cars and leaving the area. They are not parking to use the services of the centre. They either go to the train station, the nearby hospice, or around to collect the kid(s) from school. It's very annoying, because it makes it impossible for me (who pays a fortune in rent) to park at certain times. It also makes it difficult for my customers (and customers of the centre) to park, which has a negative impact on my business. People have to try to find parking on the residential road if they can't find a space in the car park. It's one thing parking on the sly for a minute or two while you nip into the shop, but when you park there for an hour, or the whole day, it's just a joke, because it clogs the car park.

Mr Simpson

AFAIK, some places in the US have a system whereby businesses pay a fee to their local parking authorties. In return those authorities provide proper regulated clamping services. I'd actually be in favour of a system like this here. Local authorities generate much needed revenue, and that shower of private clampers are banished forever!!! Some people take the piss when it comes to parking, clamping is necessary to stamp this out, but the private clampers take the opposite extreme.