'Most clamped' streets revealed

Dublin motorists planning to park briefly, but illegally, while rushing into a shop or drycleaners would be well advised not to do so on North Great George's St, as this is the street where the highest number of vehicles were clamped last year.

According to data released from Dublin City Council, 57,390 vehicles were clamped in Dublin last year, resulting in fines worth €4.5 million being paid to release them. After North Great George's St, D'Olier St, Burgh Quay, Clarendon St, and Hume St were the streets with the most clamping activity in 2006.

Overall, the number of vehicles clamped last year increased by 14 per cent compared with 2005, with 50,118 clamped. In 2004, some 54,863 vehicles were clamped with fines of €4.3 million. Dublin Street Parking Services (DSPS) is contracted by the council to provide parking and clamping services. It has a staff of 80 and 15 vehicles.

Paul O'Grady, the chief operating officer with DSPS told Motors last night that part of the reason for the rise in clamping last year was down to the fact that much of 2005 was a transition year, during which DSPS took over the enforcement contract from the previous contractor, ParkRite.

"We took over the business from the previous contractor in late 2004, early 2005. Therefore, there would have been lower enforcement activity during that period and that impacted on the 2005 figures. The other factor is that pay and display areas tend to be extended year-on-year. The final significant factor is the rise in the number of cars on the road," he said. Mr O'Grady added that DSPS was continuing its policy of removing obstructing vehicles, rather than having them impounded.

In 2005 the number of vehicles impounded fell by more than 90 per cent. He said that where possible, vehicle lifting equipment was used to relocate vehicles to an adjacent street where they do not cause an obstruction.

Removing a clamp costs motorists an €80 fine. DSPS has up to 10 vehicles on patrol for illegally parked vehicles between 11am and 4pm, with an additional van on patrol during the 4pm to 7pm rush hour. Busier streets, and those with a higher incidence of illegal parking are patrolled more frequently.

The council's traffic control centre, which has 130 cameras monitoring junctions and roads around the city, can notify DSPS if a vehicle is causing an obstruction. Aside from its clamping activities, the council earned €26.9 million from pay and display meters last year, up from €25.4 million in 2005 and €22.4 million in 2004.

The council is gradually extending its pay and display parking and operates four price zones. The most expensive fee is a €2.50 per hour charge for city centre parking. The lowest fee is €1 per hour which applies outside the city centre. Dublin City Council is likely to see its parking meter revenue rise as tariffs increase.

The top 10 Dublin streets for clamping:

1) North Great George's St; 2) D'Olier St; 3) Burgh Quay; 4) Clarendon St; 5) Hume St; 6) Noel Purcell Walk; 7) Synge St; 8) Dawson St; 9) Smithfield; 10) South Circular Rd