Scores of cars clamped in 'crackdown' in Blackburn streets

A number of cars have been clamped in George Street West and Wensley Road over the past week, because they were not legally allowed to be on public roads.

Owners had to pay upwards of £100 to get the clamp removed, as enforcement officers targeted supposed ‘hotspots’ in parts of the town.

Elsewhere, another vehicle was spotted clamped on Preston New Road.

The action being taken in Blackburn was part of NSL’s 'day-to-day enforcement' who said they had clamped 141 untaxed vehicles since 2 April.

However, one man who had his car clamped asked why only particular cars on certain streets had been targeted.

His car was clamped after it was parked outside George Street West after he handed it in to be fixed.

It did not have paid vehicle excise duty, known casually as road tax, meaning it cannot legally be driven or parked on public highways, so was rightfully clamped.

The man, who did not wish to be named, said: “I handed my car to be fixed and it was only there one night and it was clamped the next morning.

“I admit it was not taxed but it has an MOT and also had insurance.

“I did not know that they could clamp cars if they had gone in to be fixed. It is getting repaired and I only dropped it in the day before.

“I do think they were picking and choosing cars. 

“I went down Pump Street and I saw other cars parked on the road outside and I didn’t see any clamps. I just think there should be some consistency really.

“It has all been sorted now as the garage owner footed the bill as it was parked outside.”

Homeowners in some areas have spoken out over cars parked on the streets by some garage owners taking up parking spots while they wait to be repaired or serviced.

George Street West, however, is a non-residential area, though the vehicles still block pavements for pedestrians and narrow the road, causing blockages for drivers.

Car garages should not leave untaxed vehicles on public roads.

According to the DVLA, vehicles may be clamped or removed if they are untaxed and on a public road. Vehicles can be clamped or instantly impounded if untaxed.

People have to pay to get the vehicle released, and if they do so within 24 hours of it being clamped or removed this can be done at a discount.

Cars can also get disposed of or sold if drivers do not pay to get them released.

Blackburn with Darwen Council said this was a DVLA matter.

The council website says only 'if a vehicle has no MOT, no tax, shows signs of abandonment, and is on a road or Council land', then it can be reported to the council.

DVLA said it operates 'a range of enforcement measures including fines and penalties as well as on the road enforcement such as wheel clamping'.

A DVLA spokesperson said: “As part of their day-to-day enforcement activities, DVLA’s national wheel clamping partner (NSL) goes to different areas of the country to clamp or impound any untaxed vehicles seen.”

“Whilst over 98% of vehicles on the road are taxed correctly, it is right that we take action against those who break the law and don’t tax their vehicle.” 

The DVLA revealed it does not have to spot an untaxed car on the road to take action.