NTA orders parking zones audit amid complaints over clamping

Four in every 10 appeals against clampers were upheld last year. Stock Image

Brian Hutton

The National Transport Authority (NTA) is ordering a countrywide inspection of parking zones after receiving hundreds of complaints that signs are not clearly warning motorists that their car could be clamped.

Consultants are being hired, at a cost of €150,000, to carry out the audit into whether clamping signs comply with the law, which states they must be "prominent" and "indicate clearly" that private clampers are operating.

Last year alone, more than 300 motorists cited signs that were inadequate under the legislation in appeals or complaints to the NTA about being clamped. Four in every 10 appeals against clampers were upheld last year.

The NTA, which acts as the State regulator for parking and clamping operators, said the most common reasons for upheld appeals are inadequate signs, errors on clamping notices, motorists having proof of payment and motorist errors in inputting registration numbers.