Haworth man says rules should be plain to all (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Haworth man says rules should be plain to all

6:09pm Thursday 19th November 2009

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A controversial car park owner, who was the focus of a TV documentary on car-clamping, has welcomed Government plans to crack down on cowboy clampers.

Ted Evans, who owns Changegate car park in Haworth, has received national attention over the high-profile people who have been clamped by his company while visiting the Bronte shrine.

One was former Speaker of the House of Commons, Baroness Betty Boothroyd, whose friend’s car was clamped while they visited the village.

Mr Evans, whose car park is operated by Car Stoppers which manages a number of car parks in Airedale, said: “I have no problem with legislation that makes the rules plain to everyone.

“There are some unscrupulous operators who can be wicked in the way they can demand more than £200 for clamping and towing away fees.”

The new legislation, revealed in the Queen’s Speech yesterday, calls for a limit in the size of clamping penalties, regulations about towing-away practices and an effective and fair appeals process.

Mr Evans said he was in favour of limiting the size of clamping penalties. He charges £75.

And he believed it was crucial to legislate over towing away practices, a system he banned on his car park.

But he had doubts about the effectiveness of a legislated appeals system.

He said: “I already have an appeals process and I respond to everyone who writes to me and I have the final say about whether to refund money.

“There are situations where I have given money back even though Car Stoppers have been operating perfectly properly but I felt, on the balance of fairness, they should be refunded.”

But a compulsory system would be hugely bureaucratic and could take months to settle, said Mr Evans, who records and videos all instances of clamping at Changegate.

“The system now is fair where people can go to the small claims court where it can be settled relatively quickly,” he said.

“But I have to say this, people tell some appalling lies when they are wheelclamped. It’s a very emotive subject and to find the truth is very difficult.”

RAC Foundation director Professor Stephen Glaister said: “Motorists everywhere will be relieved to finally hear of the Government’s commitment to tackle the menace of cowboy clampers.”

And AA president Edmund King said: “This is really the last chance to get this problem sorted out. If this fails, clamping on private land should be outlawed as it is in Scotland.”

Clamping on private land has been outlawed in Scotland since 1992, but has carried on in England and Wales.

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