NEWS GENERAL NEWS
Heaviest penalty could prove ‘tipping point’
using a credit card,’ he said. ‘Tis is the most expensive clamping I have known: £100-£200 is about average.’ He said the hauliers
Ignoring a ‘no parking’ sign could lead to a heavy fine
A goods vehicle driver was forced to pay clampers a £1,200 release fee after leaving his vehicle in a no- parking spot on an industrial estate in Essex. It is thought to be
the biggest sum ever exacted from a driver, who had parked up his tractor and flour unit while waiting to deliver at Allied Flour Mills. Te victim, who has
asked not to be named, is a member of the Road Haulage Association, which is preparing to
Shoppers in Northampton will be able to park for free for the first hour of their visit in many of the main town centre car parks from this month onwards.
The move is part of a drive by the borough council to encourage people to visit the town centre. Tim Hadland, from the borough council, said: ‘We are confident this will
8 OCTOBER 2011
take up the case. ‘We’re outraged and we’ll take action as soon as we know more details,’ a spokeswoman said. ‘Te “no parking”
sign was very small. It’s grossly unfair, especially as hauliers are working to the tightest possible margins, and under tremendous pressure.’ Neil Herron, of
Parking Appeals, who campaigns against unfair enforcement practices, was also shocked. ‘Te driver paid under duress
bring more people into Northampton.’ Under the plans, prices in other town centre car parks will be reduced by 25 per cent for the first two hours. Hadland added: ‘It’s taken us a while to get the ball rolling, but we are happy it’s finally taking place.’
The plans do not extend to on-street parking, which is managed by the county council.
had written to the company outside whose premises the vehicle had parked, and which had authorised the clampers, South East Clamping and Associates, to act. ‘Tey’re disputing the amount and claiming costs for the inconvenience,’ Herron said. ‘Tey say the vehicle didn’t appear to be blocking anything and that it was unlawfully restrained.’ ‘Tis could prove to
be a tipping point in the battle against rogue clampers,’ said Herron. ‘We’ve been trying to get a case to court for years – this could well be the one.’
FREE FOR ALL IN COUNTY TOWN
‘It sends a powerful message that Northampton town is open for business and everyone is welcome,’ added Hadland. Northampton is the county town and we ought to be helping shoppers who want to come into the town and use our facilities.’ An evaluation of the scheme is planned for February next year to assess its impact on shoppers and retailers.
BRITISH PARKING AWARDS 2012 LAUNCHED
The British Parking Awards 2012 are now open to entries. The annual competition is organised by Parking Review, sponsored by debt recovery specialist Equita and supported by the British Parking Association. This year’s
categories seek to recognise the best in parking management, design and
enforcement, spanning both the public and private sectors. Alongside the regular categories are those recognising environmentally- friendly parking schemes and high quality customer service. Two new categories have been added to recognise the importance of both partnership working and digital initiatives such as websites and phone apps. Alongside the recognition given to the best in infrastructure and technology, the awards highlight the human dimension of parking operations, with awards for the best team, young professionals and outstanding individual of the year.
Entries to the competition are assessed by a panel
of independent judges drawn from across the parking and related sectors.
The competition winners are revealed at a gala awards lunch, with the 2012 event taking place at the InterContinental Hotel on London’s Park Lane on Friday 9 March. Entry to the
competition is free and the deadline for entries is Friday 9 December. For further
information visit www. britishparkingawards.
co.uk
The categories This year’s categories are: • Equita Overall Winner
• The Enforcement Award
• Best New Car Park • Best Car Park Refurbishment
• Parking Person of the Year
• Parking Team of the Year
• Young Parking Professional
• Innovation Award • The Environment Award
• Parking in the Community
• Customer Service Award
• Digital Parking Award
• Parking Partnerships Award
Newsdesk: 01223 273526
editor@britishparking.co.uk
www.britishparking.co.uk
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