Corporation has added another weapon to its armoury against motorists who park illegally with the introduction of a towaway service. It will be operated by the company that runs the clamping service, under the control of the Director of Traffic, Mr Owen Keegan.
Mr Keegan said yesterday that this would now be the main towing operation in the city. Three trucks would be used, with an option of introducing a further two.
Gardai, he said, would probably continue as normal for several weeks, but their involvement with towing would change from traffic management to public order, safety and other matters.
Control Plus, part of an international parking control company, will operate the towaway service for the corporation.
Mr Keegan said that the company would be using trained uniformed personnel and mobile patrols to identify illegally parked vehicles. These vehicles would also be identified in the corporation's Traffic Control Centre through the use of a city-wide network of CCTV cameras.
Control Plus will operate a vehicle pound at New Wapping Street, North Wall. The charge for reclaiming a vehicle is £130 within the first 24 hours and an additional £30 for each subsequent day, or part of a day.
The company will also have the option of relocating illegally parked vehicles and clamping them on streets where they will not cause an obstruction.
Mr Keegan said this would help deal with multiple obstructions, particularly during peak hours.
He said the towaway fee must be paid in all cases and that those who felt they had been unfairly removed could write to Control Plus.
Digital photographs would be taken of all vehicles removed and these might be used in cases of dispute. A further level of appeal would also be available, he said.
"Dublin Corporation greatly appreciates the co-operation of the gardai in planning and implementing this service," said Mr Keegan. He added that the close working relationship between the two bodies would result in an effective clampdown on illegal parking in Dublin.
Mr Keegan said that since clamping was introduced in early August about 2,500 vehicles had been clamped. He said the response from Dublin motorists had been "relatively good".
"We have been quite surprised. Most motorists have been supportive and have altered their parking behaviour because of the more rigorous regime."