Photos expose ‘unfair’ clamping
Following an undercover operation, the group has secured photographic evidence which shows how a private vehicle is clamped while commercial vehicles parked illegally nearby are apparently ignored.
A spokesperson for the group, which wishes to remain anonymous, said the photographs prove for the first time how certain vehicles are targeted before others.
They also demonstrate the need for a complete overhaul of the city’s clamping and towing regime, a spokesperson said.
“There has been a lot of anecdotal evidence about this kind of thing in the past. Now for the first time, we have proof.
“This is a crazy system which needs to be reviewed on an ongoing basis.”
The group hired a photographer to monitor a loading bay on the South Mall over the course of several days.
There is a 20-minute parking time limit in the bay. Vehicles must be actively loading or unloading to overstay the time limit.
On a recent Saturday, the photographer took some 150 pictures of vehicles parking in the bay. He also watched the city’s clamping van patrol the area.
A selection published today in time sequence proves that several commercial vehicles parked in the bay for more than two hours – without penalty.
However, when a private car parked in the bay, it was clamped within 40 minutes.
Apcoa Ireland, the company contracted by the city to enforce its clamping and towing policy, does not comment publicly on its operations, and it directed queries to City Hall.
The head of the city council’s parking control unit, Eddie Hawkins, vowed last night to investigate the matter immediately.
“Obviously, the private car is not meant to be there,” he said.
“But what probably happened is that the clampers drove past this loading bay and saw all commercial vehicles and thought there was no issue and when they saw a private car, they rightly clamped it.
“There is only one clamping van for the whole city. No one could expect the team to drive by every loading bay and monitor the position of every vehicle.
“They should be able to patrol like that, but in reality, that’s not what happens.
“I’m not excusing what happened but I will investigate it.”
He also said he would prefer if people concerned by illegal parking would contact City Hall’s traffic department directly, so officials can deal with the matter immediately.
Cllr Des Cahill (FG), who drives a transit van, has also called for a complete review of how the city manages parking.
“I have proposed a complete review of how loading bays are being used, with a view to opening them up to disc parking after 1pm,” he said.
“And I would like the disc parking time extended from one hour to two or three hours.”
His proposals will be discussed at the council’s Roads Committee meeting next week.
