MSE News: Wheel clamping ban moves closer

Driver8

gadgetmind wrote: »

Someone at work today said that we'd have to resort to slashing the tyres of those who occupied our parking spaces and/or drilling numerous tiny holes in the panels of their cars. I expressed for forceful opinion that this would be wrong. Statements here by various people are causing me to reconsider this view.

Please understand, we don't to make money from people, we don't want to immobilise their cars, or tow them away, or interfere with them in *any* way, we just don't want them dumping their cars in our parking spaces such that we can't use them.

Yes, everyone could erect expensive and unsightly fences and barriers around all private land, but is this really what we want?

Ian

You're not much better than a clamper really are you? I for one do not believe you suffer that many problems from parking as you say you do.

I wouldn't be surprised if you're actually part of a clamping company.

Flyboy152

d123 wrote: »

Actually, I suggest you do. Specifically read up the definition of a public place or road with regard to the Road Traffic Act or the Road Vehicles (Construction & Use) Regulations, you might get a nasty shock to find most private car parks are included.

What specific section and paragraph does the offense of obstruction by parked cars come under?

ripped_off_driver

Landowners having to secure their land.

Bit of a change from turning a blind eye to robbery and extortion committed by their agents.

I can see how it must be a big adjustment for some.

Flyboy152

SodG24 wrote: »

Well my mate got a clamp when we went to the rugby once and the signs were few and far between and it was very easy to park without seeing them so in my experience there are many innocent motorists ( myself included when it comes to PPCs ).

At what point did he realise he had left the public highway and noticed he was on private property?

No - either the landowners and / or the clampers should pay for the regulation. It is them that's allowed it to run out of control. If you want clamping to continue then pay for the regulation otherwise look forward to it being consigned to history. After all, burglars don't pay for the cost of bringing a law against burglary, the cost of detection, the cost of prosecution and the cost of jail - those of us who want protection from burglary do - i.e. the taxpayer.

If people didn't trespass on private property, there would no need for wheel clamping, would there. It's a bit like asking supermarkets to pay shoplifters' court expenses.

taffy056

gadgetmind wrote: »

What will that cost us and how well will it work during winter?

Why are you asking me, do some research and find out? They are not expensive in the grand scheme of things, I am putting one on my property once it gets build

gadgetmind wrote: »

Maybe it is, maybe not. Let's see.

Its going 100% , they will not make amendments now!

Flyboy152

muckybutt wrote: »

Pardon my french but 20 - 50 K for a barrier system is b ollo cks !

I have installed them in the past as well as maintained them, maintenance contract your looking at between 200 - 500 a year, installation between £1500 - £3000, barrier £1500 - £5000, so no where even close to either of the figures floating around in either of your heads.

In fact ive just done a quick calc on www.barriersdirect.co.uk http://www.barriersdirect.co.uk/categories/56-automatic-arm-barriers/products/581-automatic-raise-arm-barrier
I put installation - 50 proximity cards - card reader at car height - proximity / safety loop - stop sign and barrier rest. Quoted price ? £2900 inc vat and installation

You are of course ignoring all the other costs involved. Fencing, planning applications, consultants, environmental impact studies and the list goes on and on.

Flyboy152

d123 wrote: »

You are quite right, the majority of car parks to which the public have access are considered public roads for the purposes of the RTA now.

Not for parking cars around another car it doesn't. Please, show me where in the Road Traffic Act it says I can't do that.

Flyboy152

muckybutt wrote: »

Possibly so ( i might stand corrected ) but I bet you couldnt get anyone to actually enforce parking regs on private property, "thats a civil matter sir !"

Yeah, it's funny how when the lazy beggar parking his car screams that I can't charge him for parking his car, because parking is a civil matter, but when I block him in, it all of a sudden becomes a criminal one.

d123

Flyboy152 wrote: »

Not for parking cars around another car it doesn't. Please, show me where in the Road Traffic Act it says I can't do that.

You are quite tiresome with your ignorance, no one is talking about parking.

People can park on your land if they want, you could attempt to sue for damages if you want.

You can't however cause an obstruction to them, and shortly you won't be able to immobilise or tow them either.

Isn't life just terrible for the private car park operator?

Flyboy152 wrote: »

Yeah, it's funny how when the lazy beggar parking his car screams that I can't charge him for parking his car, because parking is a civil matter, but when I block him in, it all of a sudden becomes a criminal one.

Well done, now you are learning. One is a civil matter of trespass, the other is either obstruction or the soon to be criminal offences of clamping or towing from private land.

ripped_off_driver

In a few years we will all shake our heads and say "was that criminal practice really allowed for 20 years?"

Except for a few knuckleheads who will reminisce about the old days when they could bully and extort and the police helped them.