A report going before councillors outlines a new policy for a consistent approach to removing vehicles from the highway, where they are in contravention of traffic orders.
On 1 June, Dorset Council’s Place and Resources Overview Committee will discuss the introduction of a policy on Immobilisation and Removal of Vehicles Parked in Contravention of On-Street and Off-Street Parking Places, which outlines a fair and transparent approach to the immobilisation and removal of vehicles on the council’s highway and car parks.
It will be used to tow-away vehicles parked in contravention of on-street and off-street parking restrictions and used to deal with vehicles that are parked in contravention in the following circumstances:
- Persistent evader vehicles found parked in contravention
- Fraudulent use of disabled persons parking blue badges or an article that purports to be a disabled blue badge
- Parked in a disabled persons parking bay without displaying a disabled blue badge
- Parked using a fraudulent permit, scratch card or pay and display parking ticket; inclusive of cashless parking sessions and virtual permits
- Parked in a manner that causes serious obstruction to emergency services and other highway users
The new policy outlines fees and charges for associated costs of vehicle removal, storage and or disposal of vehicles removed, these are prescribed by The Civil Enforcement of Parking Contraventions (Guidelines on Levels of Charges) (England) Order 2007:
- £40 for release of immobilised vehicle
- £105 for vehicle removal
- £12 per day vehicle storage or each day or part day during which the vehicle is impounded
- £50 vehicle disposal
In addition to the prescribed sums and charges, the owner/keeper will be required to pay the amount payable for the penalty charge notice issued to that vehicle on the date the vehicle was removed.
Cllr Ray Bryan, Portfolio Holder for Highways, Travel and Environment, said: “Last summer, routes to some of our most popular visitor destinations were clogged due to illegal parking – bringing traffic and public transport to a standstill and posing a very real danger by restricting access for emergency service vehicles.
“We’re introducing two tow-away zones this summer – at West Lulworth and Studland – and we have guidelines in place for how these will operate, but we want a policy for how we tow away vehicles contravening restrictions anywhere in the council area in order to deal with them consistently.
“This will also make the consequences clear to drivers choosing to park illegally, as well as informing our enforcement officers undertaking their duties to keep our network clear from obstructions.”
