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Pledge for action over clamping Pledge for action over clamping
(about 2 hours later)
Private car clamping firms will face tougher rules from next year, says the government.Private car clamping firms will face tougher rules from next year, says the government.
Firms which issue heavy fines for parking on private land will be under the spotlight at a meeting in London.Firms which issue heavy fines for parking on private land will be under the spotlight at a meeting in London.
Parking firms, ministers and motoring groups are expected to attend the summit, where the AA will call for the tougher laws for England and Wales.Parking firms, ministers and motoring groups are expected to attend the summit, where the AA will call for the tougher laws for England and Wales.
Windsor and Maidenhead Council, Berks, last month voted to consider imposing Asbos on "overzealous" clampers.Windsor and Maidenhead Council, Berks, last month voted to consider imposing Asbos on "overzealous" clampers.
Crime reduction minister, Alan Campbell, told the BBC from next year drivers who fall foul of clampers could expect to be charged a "reasonable" amount and given time before vehicles were towed away.Crime reduction minister, Alan Campbell, told the BBC from next year drivers who fall foul of clampers could expect to be charged a "reasonable" amount and given time before vehicles were towed away.
He promised a fair appeals process, adding: "If clamping companies don't sign up to the code of practice then they won't be licensed and, if they break that, they risk losing their licence."He promised a fair appeals process, adding: "If clamping companies don't sign up to the code of practice then they won't be licensed and, if they break that, they risk losing their licence."
The British Parking Association has offered to work with ministers, who say new rules will come in next year.The British Parking Association has offered to work with ministers, who say new rules will come in next year.
Private clamping is outlawed in Scotland, while in Northern Ireland only unlicensed vehicles can be clamped.Private clamping is outlawed in Scotland, while in Northern Ireland only unlicensed vehicles can be clamped.
In the rest of the UK, since 2005, firms have operated a self-regulating system through a code of conduct. In the rest of the UK, only enforcement of parking restrictions on public roads and council car parks is regulated by law.
Since 2005, private firms have operated a self-regulating system through a code of conduct, although a majority have not signed up to it.
What we want to see is that the industry is regulated in a way which meets consumers needs Patrick Troy, British Parking AssociationWhat we want to see is that the industry is regulated in a way which meets consumers needs Patrick Troy, British Parking Association
The AA accuses clampers of abusing the code by imposing huge fines for minor offences, charging up to £500 to retrieve cars that have been towed away and even tricking motorists into parking where they should not.The AA accuses clampers of abusing the code by imposing huge fines for minor offences, charging up to £500 to retrieve cars that have been towed away and even tricking motorists into parking where they should not.
Its president Edmund King will tell Wednesday's meeting the government must regulate the industry because drivers currently have no protection if a parking firm acts unfairly.Its president Edmund King will tell Wednesday's meeting the government must regulate the industry because drivers currently have no protection if a parking firm acts unfairly.
Hundreds of complaints led Windsor and Maidenhead Council to consider issuing Anti-social Behaviour Orders banning private clamping firms from the towns, if they continued causing distress through their "form of extortion".Hundreds of complaints led Windsor and Maidenhead Council to consider issuing Anti-social Behaviour Orders banning private clamping firms from the towns, if they continued causing distress through their "form of extortion".
British Parking Association chief executive Patrick Troy said the vast majority of firms were doing "a very good job" and that a minority was letting down the rest.British Parking Association chief executive Patrick Troy said the vast majority of firms were doing "a very good job" and that a minority was letting down the rest.
However, he said private sector landowners needed to protect their land.However, he said private sector landowners needed to protect their land.
"We've been working with the government very closely. What we want to see is that the industry is regulated in a way which meets consumers needs," added Mr Troy."We've been working with the government very closely. What we want to see is that the industry is regulated in a way which meets consumers needs," added Mr Troy.
The government has consulted on proposals which included making firms register for licences and allow minimum times between clamping and towing.
It wants to create industry standards for size and visibility of parking restriction signs and introduce an appeals process.
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