Council targets illegal parking and fine dodgers

Harrow Council said it had impounded 36 cars since 7 October

A north-west London council has said its new towing scheme to crack down on illegal parking and repeated fine dodgers has made the roads "cleaner and safer".

Harrow Council said it had impounded 36 cars in its new facility since it began implementing the policy on 7 October.

Drivers who have their car towed must now pay an additional £280 on top of the existing Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) to get their car back, and could face losing their parking permit if this remains unpaid.

As of 20 October, council figures showed 23 drivers had paid in full to retrieve their cars.

The council said it was targeting cars that would otherwise "slip through the cracks" and which make the streets "look messy, unsafe and harder to navigate".

Under the scheme, drivers incur a further £55 charge each day if they do not collect their car within 24 hours.

They are also obliged to hand over their details to enable the council to investigate any other unpaid fines.

PCNs generally start at £90 but can rise to £160 depending on the offence, and may be reduced by 50% if paid within 14 or 21 days.

David Ashton, Harrow Council's cabinet minister for finance and highways, said: "Like our residents, we've had enough of inconsiderate parking.

"It's unfair for others who need a space, and makes our streets unsafe and untidy.

"From now on, if you ignore a PCN, you could say goodbye to your vehicle."