Council relaxes rules on clamping

Wheel clamping in one London council will be banned "except in extreme circumstances", it has been revealed.

With the exception of persistent evaders, motorists who park illegally in Lambeth will not face having their vehicle clamped.

Last year the south London authority scrapped targets for parking tickets and now offers wardens incentives to be fair and polite to drivers.

The wheel clamping ban will come into force from April this year.

Too harsh

Councillors said the old policy was "too harsh" and caused too much inconvenience to motorists.

Motorists will still face the penalty of a parking ticket and fine of up to £120 for parking illegally.

In the most serious cases where vehicles are causing an obstruction or are parked dangerously the council will still retain the power to tow vehicles.

Clamping will also continue on housing estate roads.