The news that the Government is to outlaw clamping on private land has been widely welcomed by motorists and motoring associations. Two decades after clamping was outlawed in Scotland, the change in law will mean companies can no longer clamp or tow away vehicles parked on private land.

The announcement comes as the story of the nurse who was clamped while visiting an elderly patient – and then charged hundreds of pounds – hit the headlines. The nurse, who had parked in her patient’s private parking bay and had left an NHS permit on show, was faced with a wheel clamp when she returned and a parking attendant who said there was nothing he could do. She called the clamping company, only to be told she had to pay over £300 – and then £50 for every extra half hour she didn’t pay the fine – watch the video here for more details. It is incredible that this kind of activity can go on, and it proves that a change to the law is long overdue.

Parking fines such as these are estimated to make around £1bn per year for the clamping firms, but there has been growing concern in society about the way these companies operate and the potential to extort money from unsuspecting drivers. With the new laws – which could be in place early next year – the police and councils will still be able to clamp or remove vehicles, so roads or access ways for example can’t be blocked, but they should offer a fairer, less profit oriented approach to the problem of illegal parking.

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