Bad news for motorists as clamping rates remain high
New figures from Dublin and Cork City Councils show the number of vehicles immobilised by keen-eyed clampers remains as high as ever.
In the capital from January to the end of November, 56,176 vehicles were clamped — down just slightly on the figure of 56,594 for the same period in 2009.
Clamp removal fees totalled €4.432m for the first 11 months of the year, again just slightly down on the sum recorded in 2009 of €4.470m.
As for the top five most clamped streets, some weary motorists will not be too surprised by the results.
First up is Noel Purcell Walk in Dublin 2. Earlier this year, it emerged that clampers were bringing in release fees of approximately €2,000 a day from errant parking on the tiny roadway.
Next is the Shelbourne Road in Dublin 4, followed by Jervis Street near O’Connell Street.
In fourth place is the suburb of Ranelagh, with Wellington Quay on the southside of the Liffey in fifth place.
Clamping is carried out in the city by private firm Dublin Street Parking Services. In 2009, almost half of all cars towed were never reclaimed.
During the recent freezing weather Fine Gael’s transport spokesman, Simon Coveney, appealed for some vehicles stuck in position due to the ice and snow not to be clamped.
“A number of vehicles which had to be abandoned during the snow chaos have been clamped unfairly,” he said.
However, the clampers have also been busy in his native Cork.
Figures from Cork City Council show that 4,558 vehicles were clamped as of the end of October, with 1,925 towed.
The income generated from towing and clamping was €642,120 to the end of October. These figures were again only slightly down on those for last year, when 4,622 vehicles were clamped and 2,139 vehicles were towed.
Cork City Council’s clamping service is provided under contract by APCOA Parking Ireland Ltd, which has an annual budgeted cost of €1,038,100.
