Clamping is Wrong Move for Council

9.57.02am UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 12th Dec 2007

The decision being taken by the Council's Administration to introduce clamping and towing in Bath and North East Somerset is a dangerous move according to a leading Liberal Democrat Councillor.

Councillor Paul Crossley, leader of the Liberal Democrat Group on Bath & NES Council and ward Councillor for Southdown is warning that the introduction of clamping and towing in certain circumstances could be the thin end of the wedge.

Councillor Crossley said, "At the moment, the Conservative Administration is just giving itself the power to clamp vehicles which are illegally parked and which have more than three outstanding parking tickets. Cars will only be towed if they are interfering with road works or special events such as the Bath Half.

"However, I fear that this is the thin end of the wedge and that the Administration may become 'clamp happy' and extend the scheme to more categories. This could be a serious problem in Bath especially - traffic problems could be exacerbated by clamped cars in inconvenient places, serious irritation could be caused to residents and visitors alike and Bath's reputation could be damaged.

"I believe clamping is not the way to solve parking problems. It risks becoming a money-generating scheme for the clampers and a tax on tourists who may not be aware of local rules.

"The Council should say 'no' to clamping and instead work to improve the effectiveness of our very capable team of traffic wardens."