KELVIN HOPKINS MP DEMANDS REGULATION OF COWBOY WHEEL CLAMPERS

Following the Herald and Post expose of unregulated wheel clamping in Luton last April, Kelvin Hopkins MP for Luton North is again taking up the cause of those who have been wheel clamped in Nursery Road and charged excessive amounts to be released.

Kelvin Hopkins says – "A number of more recent clamping incidents have occurred in Nursery Road including one where, I am informed, a couple were unloading clothes for donation to a charity shop, with the car engine running and the owner actually sitting in the driving seat.

"Following the Herald and Post story in April, I took up the matter with Tim Malynn, Director of Planning and Development at Luton Borough Council and also wrote to Deputy Prime Minister, John Prescott MP calling for legislation to regulate wheel clamping even in private roads to ensure that the public are treated fairly and not exploited or intimidated.

"Tim Malynn replied very helpfully proposing a whole range of measures which could be introduced by legislation. Later, Transport Minister, Keith Hill MP replied saying that "the Government is looking at the scope for introducing controls on wheel clamping on private land. We are doing that in the context of the introduction of statutory measures to regulate the private security industry as a whole".

"I am now writing again to the Minister to demand urgent action to control the kind of wheel clamping still taking place in Nursery Road.

"I believe very strongly in appropriate parking regulations, properly enforced, but I have described what is going on in Nursery Road as tantamount to legalised mugging. Luton North is not the wild west and I want to see action taken very soon to protect my constituents."

For further information please contact Kelvin Hopkins MP on Luton 488208.