Tougher regulations for wheel clamping companies
April 8th 2009
Alan Whitehead MP and John Denham MP today backed Government plans to introduce compulsory licensing to deal with rogue wheel clamping companies in Southampton.
The Labour MPs welcomed the announcement by Home Secretary Jacqui Smith that a consultation would be published shortly on proposals for a compulsory licensing scheme for wheel clamping companies.
This consultation will look at introducing compulsory licensing and industry-wide standards for:
signage, including size and visibility;
- maximum penalties charged and payment methods;
- minimum time between immobilisation and removal;
- providing evidence that a parking infringement has taken place;
- security and location of pound where vehicles are impounded; and
- complaints and appeals policy.
The measures aim to tackle the limited number of wheel clamping companies whose dodgy practices include excessive penalties for releasing clamped cars, clamping emergency vehicles and those belonging to disabled drivers, impounding cars unreasonably quickly after being clamped, hidden or missing signs warning drivers that clamping takes place, and a lack of any appeals process for drivers.
Alan Whitehead MP said:
“The days of the absolute cowboy wheel-clampers may be fading. But many constituents still contact me about the rapid removal of vehicles and excessive charging by a small minority of clamping companies, so I am pleased that the government has agreed to look at these issues in particular.”
John Denham MP said:
“I spoke to Ministers earlier this year after a company in Southampton seemed to be making excessive charges.
“The Government is looking at introducing a scheme for compulsory licensing of clamping companies- at the moment only individuals are licensed- with clear industry standards that they have to meet.
“Rogue wheel clampers shouldn’t be able to get away with unacceptable practices in Southampton and I’ll be working with the Government to come down hard against unscrupulous clampers.”
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