Wheel clamping banned on private land

Date: 18/8/2010

Wheel clamping on private land will be banned in England and Wales, the government has announced.

Companies that clamp or tow vehicles once the law is put in place - shortly after Royal Assent - will face harsh penalties, said Home Office Minister Lynne Featherstone.

She condemned the "unscrupulous tactics" used by firms, such as marching motorists to cash points.

"The government is committed to ending the menace of rogue private sector wheel clampers once and for all," Ms Featherstone continued.

Regional and Local Transport Minister Norman Baker also denounced what he termed the "outrageous practices" of traders, such as bullying road users and charging them extortionate amounts of money.

He stated the new legislation aims to restore the parking industry's reputation in the eyes of motorists.

Recently, a man staged a 30-hour protest by refusing to leave his car to prevent it from being towed away.

Haroon Zafaryab found his vehicle clamped and was asked to pay a fine of £365, which increased to almost £4,000 as some 40 tickets were stuck to his car during the stand-off.

Posted by Mary Treen