News

Owners of untaxed vehicles and persistent traffic and parking offenders in Cardiff face having their wheels clamped or having their vehicle removed by the Council.

Using existing devolved powers and DVLA permission the Council's traffic enforcement officers could soon be able to clamp and remove vehicles that are causing a nuisance across the city. Cardiff Council's Cabinet will decide on Thursday, November 15th, whether to adopt the new powers.

Problems which could then be targeted in any clampdown include:

• Persistent parking and traffic ticket offenders (vehicles associated with numerous unpaid parking or traffic fines)
• Vehicles that cause a dangerous illegal obstruction on roads with double yellow lines or other traffic restrictions
• Vehicles without a registered owner with the DVLA and vehicles that are not taxed for over two months.

Vehicles will not be clamped for regular parking offences, unless they are dangerously parked on the highway.

The Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Transport, said, "This new policy is about clearing our streets of dangerous vehicles and clamping down on people who persistently give little regard for the rules. We also know that there is a strong correlation between unregistered vehicles and crime, so we are pleased we now have the powers to act."

There are currently more than 8,500 untaxed vehicles on Cardiff's streets. In many instances, illegally parked cars cause an obstruction and are a danger to pedestrians and other road users. With some offenders, current enforcement techniques are not possible or penalty charge notices are ignored.

If the new measures are approved, a charging scheme will be put in place for owners to recover their vehicles.

The proposed charging structure is as follows:

• If a vehicle is clamped, the driver will be required to pay a £40 release fee and the total outstanding fine of either £25 or £35
• If an illegally parked vehicle has been removed, the registered keeper will be required to pay a £105 release fee, the total outstanding fine of either £25 or £35 as well a storage charge of £12 per day
• If a car has been clamped or removed because it is not taxed, the registered keeper will be required to pay £100 plus the surety fee of £160 if it is paid in twenty four hours
• If a car has been clamped or removed and is not paid in 24 hours, the registered keeper is required to pay £200 plus the surety fee of £160, as well as a £21 storage charge per day
• If a bus or an HGV has been clamped or removed because it is not taxed, the fees above apply but the surety fee increases to £330

The Council already has enforcement vehicles which use Automated Number Plate Recognition Technology (ANPR) equipment. The DVLA will share data so ANPR technology can recognise untaxed cars or persistent offenders.

The Cabinet will be asked to approve the new policy for the clamping and removal of nuisance vehicles, as well as approving the use of devolved powers to bring in these new measures.