CORK LOOKS set to become a clamp-free zone as the local authority revealed plans not to renew its contract with clampers next year.
The city council’s contract with private clamping company Apcoa expires on January 4th.
The decision comes after 15 months of negotiations between council officials and city councillors, who made repeated representations following particularly severe cases of clamping.
The lapsed contract will save the local authority an estimated €150,000 but will result in the loss of 12 jobs.
The council could now rely on traffic wardens issuing parking fines to ensure city streets remain unobstructed, according to parking enforcement manager at Cork City Council, Eddie Hawkins.
“If people see traffic wardens walking around issuing tickets they will pay for their discs or use the park magic system or pay by phone, they will use that and hopefully we will all be happy.” The council’s 11 traffic wardens will replace the clamping system in operation for the past eight years.
Labour’s Catherine Clancy said the issue had been raised by councillors after a number of severe instances of clamping. The councillor said the end of the clamping contract could raise revenue for city coffers as a result of payment of fines.
“If we revert back to the old system of fines, that payment goes to the council, meaning revenue not loss. However, we would still need some kind of removal service in cases where cars are causing an obstruction,” she said.
Cork Business Association chairman Donal Healy said clamping had been intimidating for shoppers entering the city. “The CBA had been requesting the removal of clamping warning signs for some time and we were delighted when they were removed when the new city manager took office.”
