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Wheel-clamp profits to be banned Wheel-clamp profits to be banned
(40 minutes later)
Councils in England and Wales will be banned from using wheelclamping as a money-raising measure, it has emerged. Councils in England and Wales will be banned from using wheel-clamping as a money-raising measure, it has emerged.
New Department of Transport guidance says councils should "not seek to make a surplus" from clamping parked cars.New Department of Transport guidance says councils should "not seek to make a surplus" from clamping parked cars.
The guidance, which is part of a parking regulations shake-up, puts a priority on winning public support.The guidance, which is part of a parking regulations shake-up, puts a priority on winning public support.
It says the enforcement should be "proportional" to the contravention's seriousness. Wheel clampers are being urged to target persistent offenders.It says the enforcement should be "proportional" to the contravention's seriousness. Wheel clampers are being urged to target persistent offenders.
The guidance is issued to councils outside London, based on experience in the capital.The guidance is issued to councils outside London, based on experience in the capital.
It also recommends a 15-minute "period of grace" for cars parked after a meter has run out.It also recommends a 15-minute "period of grace" for cars parked after a meter has run out.
Persistent evadersPersistent evaders
A Department for Transport spokeswoman said the guidance aims to be "more motorist friendly" for those who do not persistently evade parking charges.A Department for Transport spokeswoman said the guidance aims to be "more motorist friendly" for those who do not persistently evade parking charges.
"One illegally-parked car can, and frequently does, cause traffic jams," she said."One illegally-parked car can, and frequently does, cause traffic jams," she said.
"This is exacerbated by some motorists who regularly and deliberately contravene parking regulations."This is exacerbated by some motorists who regularly and deliberately contravene parking regulations.
"These persistent evaders are often not registered, or not correctly registered, on the DVLA database and therefore think that they can get away with not paying any penalty charges."These persistent evaders are often not registered, or not correctly registered, on the DVLA database and therefore think that they can get away with not paying any penalty charges.
"We are bringing in quicker clamping and removal times for persistent evaders.""We are bringing in quicker clamping and removal times for persistent evaders."
Wheel clampers are being urged to make vehicles which are suspicious in other ways - such as not having a valid tax disk - a top priority.Wheel clampers are being urged to make vehicles which are suspicious in other ways - such as not having a valid tax disk - a top priority.
The guidance suggests clampers should give a "low priority" to cars overstaying beyond 15 minutes, parked on a single yellow line or in a resident's bay without a permit.The guidance suggests clampers should give a "low priority" to cars overstaying beyond 15 minutes, parked on a single yellow line or in a resident's bay without a permit.
Vehicles to be a "medium priority" include people feeding a meter to stay beyond the maximum time or not paying at all.Vehicles to be a "medium priority" include people feeding a meter to stay beyond the maximum time or not paying at all.
The document also advises that: "Wheelclamping may be brought into disrepute if a local authority permits it for what the public may regard as relatively unimportant contraventions." The document also advises that: "Wheel-clamping may be brought into disrepute if a local authority permits it for what the public may regard as relatively unimportant contraventions."
It also advises that clamped cars should be released within an hour of payment.It also advises that clamped cars should be released within an hour of payment.