Decision details

(1)  To support the broad use of statutory vehicle removal powers for vehicles parked in contravention on the highway or on other land where the vehicle remains a risk to public safety or the movement of traffic.

(2)  To note a minor revision to para 6.3 of the published report, which is amended to the following:

6.3  Vehicles will only be removed from the secure area upon an assessment of risk, and a decision made by the Local Authority if it is deemed safe to do so. Consultation with the police can be sought in identifying relevant risk to inform a decision to remove a vehicle, however, the final decision for vehicle removal under this policy will remain with the Local Authority.

A limited policy for the removal of vehicles parked in contravention of parking restrictions on the highway was adopted in 2007/08, enabling the council to remove vehicles that comprised:

(1)  persistent evaders;

(2)  parked contrary to a Temporary TRO to support an event;

(3)  parked contrary to a Temporary TRO to support essential road maintenance;

This updated approach allows for the removal of vehicles parked in contravention on the highway, or where they impact the safe and efficient movement of vehicles on the network, to ensure full alignment with statutory provisions and updates to the council’s TROs, including the ATTRO.

The objective of this update is to ensure that proportionate action can be taken on a case-by-case basis, to address vehicles parked in contravention that may additionally represent either:

(1)  a security risk;

(2)  a danger to other road users;

(3)  or prevent the free movement of vehicles including emergency vehicles and public transport can be appropriately managed.

This includes vehicles that cause a hazard on the network or other land, including those that remain parked inside sensitive locations covered by the council’s ATTRO.  Where the criteria above do not apply, the onlyaction takenwill beto issuea PCNto thevehicle, which will remain in situ.

Not to progress with the review and to continue with the existing application of vehicle removal powers. This option was discounted due to the reduced deterrent of the Penalty Charge as detailed in paragraph 3.5 of the report and the security risks that may be posed by unauthorised vehicles within sensitive locations covered by the ATTRO.