CLAMPERS HAVE released their grip on Cork motorists following the expiration of a contract between the local authority and a private provider.
Cars violating parking rules will now be punished by way of fine, while vehicles causing an obstruction will be relocated for a €40 fee.
Cork City Council’s new parking regime comes into effect tomorrow and it will be reviewed over coming months.
The lapsed contract with clamping and towing company APCOA will save the local authority an estimated €150,000 annually as revenue generated by release fees failed to meet the cost of the service.
The three-year contract with the firm cost the city council €2,573,680, excluding VAT, during that period.
In 2010, 5,231 vehicles were clamped, generating €405,670 for the council, which collected almost €10 million from parking through multistorey car parks, sales of parking discs, and the collection of parking fines.
Almost 20 per cent of clamping incidents were appealed by vehicle owners in 2010, a total of 1,031, of which 15 per cent were successful.
In 2009, clamp fees generated €353,200 in revenue, and attracted 923 appeals, of which 21 per cent were successful.
The €80 clamp release fee remained the same since the contract came into effect in 2009, while motorists paid €160 to retrieve an impounded car.
Councillors raised concerns at the level of cost incurred by the council’s clamping policy 16 months ago, prompting negotiations that led to the decision not to renew APCOA’s three-year contract this week, with the loss of 12 jobs.
“The city manager took this approach because there was concern about the level of cost being incurred,” spokesman for Cork City Council’s traffic division Ian Winning said.
“A commitment was given that when the contract ran out it would not be renewed. Over the coming months, the new parking arrangements will be reviewed.”
The new policies provide for the use of wheel clamps in limited circumstances or for repeat offenders only.
The city’s team of 11 traffic wardens and two supervisors will replace the clamping system in operation for the past eight years.
A towing relocation service will come into effect whereby cars obstructing traffic will be towed to a nearby street and a charge of €40 will be applied.
“The system will operate through ticketing and possible tow away but not to a secure pound, and the new arrangements will be reviewed as to their effectiveness,” Mr Winning said.
“Parking is a scarce resource in the city centre and the challenge from our point of view is to manage it on a consistent and equitable basis.”