Move to ban the clamping of cars across Kildare

Some private car park owners impose harsher penalties - and they own more spaces

Kildare County Council is being asked to act against car park operators who use clamping companies to enforce parking rules.

Fine Gael councillor Evie Sammon has asked KCC to explain what powers it has to prevent the practice of clamping in private car parks, at least in Naas.

Cllr Sammon said that clamping is only a feature of private car parks - but there are many more privately owned spaces in the town than the number provided through KCC.

“There have been a lot of negative comments about clamping in Naas and it only happens in the privately owned car parks. I want to find out if the council can do anything to prevent this happening, perhaps through amending the bye-laws,” said Cllr Sammon.

The politician contrasted how the rules are enforced between the council and the private operators.

KCC imposes an initial €40 fine, which rises if left unpaid and could ultimately result in a court fine, she said.

However, the fee for removing a clamp attached to a car in the private setting is up to €120 and the driver may have to wait some time before the device is actually removed.