THE COST of towing and clamping vehicles in Cork city in 2008 exceeded the income made by the local authority on enforcing the service by more than €400,000.
A total of €503,655 in towing fines were collected by Cork City Council in 2008 while a further €428,595 was raised through clamping fines. However, the cost to the council for the clamping and towing service was €1,343,044, a shortfall of €410,794.
A spokeswoman for Cork City Council said that the purpose of the towing and clamping service was not to generate profits but to facilitate parking in the city.
“The service facilitates public safety by reducing and preventing unsafe parking; ensures free traffic movement by keeping roads clear from obstructive parking; and generates turnover of spaces to maximise the footfall of customers in the city centre,” Lisa Horgan, senior staff officer in the traffic division of Cork City Council, said.
The street which saw the highest number of offences in Cork was the South Mall where 270 vehicles were clamped in 2008. A total of 5,469 vehicles were clamped in Cork city in 2008 while 3,252 vehicles were towed.
This compares with approximately 1,678,120 vehicles for which parking was paid in the local authority area in the same time period.
The towing and clamping service in Cork is contracted to APCOA Parking Ireland. The budgeted cost of the towing and clamping service for Cork City Council for 2009 is €1,038,049.
Dublin City Council levied €4,691,900 in clamping fines in 2008. However, the local authority would not release figures for the cost of running the service in the Dublin, citing reasons of commercial sensitivity.
The towing and clamping service for Dublin city is contracted to Dublin Street Parking Services. Almost 60,000 vehicles were clamped in the Dublin City Council area in 2008. North Great George’s Street, Waterloo Road, D’Olier St, Barrow Street, Smithfield and South William Street were all notable clamping black spots in the city during this time period.
Galway City Council does not currently operate clamping services, although ticketing and tow away facilities are in place.
Limerick City Council does not operate vehicle clamping as part of its traffic and parking management strategy. However, vehicles that are causing obstruction in the core business district of the city are towed with the assistance of the gardaí.