Monday 3rd October 2011 - Published by Robert Trigg - Communications Executive
Pro-clamping lobby will stage parking protest outside Parliament
Protesters opposing new anti-clamping laws will ‘park illegally’ on St Christopher's Green, outside the Houses of Parliament, on Monday 10 October.
The green is owned by the Houses of Parliament, and members of the Parking Enforcement Trade Association (PETA) will park children's ride-on toys to symbolise the parking of vehicles on private land without permission.
The demonstration is being staged to protest against the Protection of Freedoms Bill, which was amended earlier this year to outlaw the use of vehicle immobilisation and towing on private land.
Trevor Whitehouse, president of PETA and chairman of National Clamps, warns that without the threat of vehicle clamping and towing, car park managers will be left powerless to protect their land from illegal parking.
Mr Whitehouse commented: “Despite the popularity of this move with some drivers, not everyone would like to see parking become a free for all - especially tenants. A consultation with landowners, business proprietors and others responsible for managing on-site car parking facilities, has revealed that there is no evidence to support the change in legislation being in the overall public interest.”
Mr Whitehouse added: “All the toys that are left behind will be donated to a children's charity, so all in all our protest will be for a good cause. Hopefully others from around London will bring more and more toys as the day progresses. This is our first demonstration and I expect the turn-out to be limited due to short notice, but every raindrop eventuality forms a river.”
The green where the protest will take place, is where MPs are filmed and interviewed, and the Parking Enforcement Trade Association plans to arrive in considerable numbers before 6am to attract media attention, including Breakfast TV cameras.
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National Clamps protest - a pr2go story
