Local pub claiming unauthorised cars will be removed.

PopeSock

I thought that clamping in private car parks wasn't allowed, let alone towing vehicles away. But my local pub has a car park that is used by people who aren't eating at the pub, in particular a lot of church-goers, the church being across the road.

They've now put up a notice stating that cars that don't belong to customers of the pub will be removed. It seems like this is just scare tactics, but is this even legal? And where would they find an agency willing to do this?

EDIT: Just checked. The sign does say 'will be removed'.

System

Definitely not legal.

If they want to take a legal route it would take about a fortnight to achieve it

daveyjp

They can be removed, but despite having the powers I doubt the Police would be interested in doing so. If the sign works and reduces the perceived problem the sign is doing its job. Just like having clamping signs up. Very few know the actual law.

Far easier for the pub to fit a barrier or a chain and advise it can be closed and locked at any time. Unlocking is at the Landlord's discretion.

Johno100

PopeSock wrote: »

I thought that clamping in private car parks wasn't allowed, let alone towing vehicles away. But my local pub has a car park that is used by people who aren't eating at the pub, in particular a lot of church-goers, the church being across the road.

They've now put up a notice stating that cars that don't belong to customers of the pub may be removed. It seems like this is just scare tactics, but is this even legal? And where would they find an agency willing to do this?

"Will be" in your thread title or "may be" in the body of your post? If the latter it could be interpreted as referring to the power of the police and local authorities to remove vehicles parked on private land as now permitted under Section 99 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984.

PopeSock

Johno100 wrote: »

"Will be" in your thread title or "may be" in the body of your post? If the latter it could be interpreted as referring to the power of the police and local authorities to remove vehicles parked on private land as now permitted under Section 99 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984.

I think it was 'may be' - I've changed the title. I'll double check when I go past again.

ManxRed

Probably just a scare tactic.

If they're moved nearby and placed where it's legal to park (e.g. adjoining road) then I can't see the Police being too bothered.

If they're removed and a fee demanded for the return then they might be in trouble.

hoohoo

I think the pub owner would have better success by turning up 5 minutes into the service and asking the vicar if the men in row 2 aisle 3 and row 1 aisle 4 could come and move their cars please. After 3 weeks of that I think the message might get through

enfield_freddy

daveyjp wrote: »

They can be removed, but despite having the powers I doubt the Police would be interested in doing so. If the sign works and reduces the perceived problem the sign is doing its job. Just like having clamping signs up. Very few know the actual law.

Far easier for the pub to fit a barrier or a chain and advise it can be closed and locked at any time. Unlocking is at the Landlord's discretion.

NO its illegal to clamp to or TO BLOCK ANOTHER VEHICLE IN

Half_way

They've now put up a notice stating that cars that don't belong to customers of the pub may be removed. It seems like this is just scare tactics, but is this even legal? And where would they find an agency willing to do this?

As far as I'm concerned a sign threatening clamping/towing/fines etc is a significantly better approach than bringing in a real PPC the only issues would be if the threats on the signs were followed up

Nodding_Donkey

hoohoo wrote: »

I think the pub owner would have better success by turning up 5minutes into the service and asking the vicar if the man in row 2aisle 3 and row 1aisle 4 could come and move their cars please. After 3 weeks of that I think the message might get through

Now this seems like a good tactic

Iceweasel

Towing and blocking in, as well as clamping are now illegal in private car parks - so the sign is just to scare off folks who do not know or understand the law.

It'll likely be quite effective.

Just like the signs we see in Scotland put up by landowners saying 'Private Road - No Entry' or 'No Turning' or my personal favourite 'Trespassers will be prosecuted'. :rotfl:

They keep most people out - the problem is when the landowner actually tries to do what they threaten.