private parking firms are pushing for the ideal to clamp and tow motorists’ cars on private land – a practice that was banned in 2012 when it was shown that some firms were charging excessive release fees.
The government is currently in the process of drawing up a new code of practice for private parking operators to follow and a number of consultations with the industry have taken place with regards to this. In their actions to the consultation, it has now been revealed that scores of firms have requested the return of clamping.
Car security: how to keep your car and driveway protected
According to the AA, private parking firms told the British standards institution that fines are not enough to deter motorists from parking illegally on private land, arguing that clamping and towing need to make a comeback.
Advertisement – post continues below
Firms have also requested that the appeals process be removed from motorists who haven’t updated their address with the DVLA (Driver and automobile Licensing Agency), indicating that motorists who make an innocent mistake would be unable to appeal if they had recently moved house, for example.
Clamping on private land was outlawed eight years ago following a lengthy campaign by the AA, but the practice still occurs at places such as train stations and airports due to existing by-laws.