"Car seized after owner racks up £18,000 in unpaid parking fines"
is the title of a press release on the Portsmouth City Council's website (www.portsmouth.gov.uk) today. Here's the full press release:
Car seized after owner racks up £18,000 in unpaid parking fines
One of the city's worst persistent parking offenders has had their car seized and impounded by the council after they incurred 220 parking tickets and failed to pay the fines.
Despite repeated efforts from the council and contracted bailiffs to contact the owner, the car was finally clamped and seized from Somerset Road in Portsmouth.
Cllr Jason Fazackarley, Portsmouth City Council's cabinet member for traffic and transportation said: "This is an extreme case which is why we have taken the necessary action to seize the vehicle after a blatant disregard by the owner. In addition to seizing the vehicle we will pursue legal action to recover the outstanding debt owned."
The car was impounded after the council used its parking enforcement powers, which means a car can be seized if the owner fails to pay after just three penalty notices and makes no effort to get in touch. Vehicles removed by the council can be destroyed if the owner does not make contact and pay outstanding fines along with the removal and storage fees.
Michael Robinson, Portsmouth City Council's parking manager said: "This is an ongoing case, so although the car has been seized we won't give up pursuing the owner until they come forward and the outstanding debt is settled.
Motorists who ignore traffic regulations are not only a nuisance to other road users, but they can also be a danger. It is not fair for the majority of residents or visitors who park respectfully, or those who contact us once a penalty notice has been issued.
The amount of fines this motorist ran up shows a lack of respect for all road users, so we used our enforcement powers to take action against this persistent offender."
