Clarification sought on clamping in Mayo county town

CLARIFICATION on clamping regulations in Castlebar has been requested by Councillor Michael Kilcoyne.

He highlighted how a lady gone to get medication for a sick child returned two minutes later to find her vehicle clamped.

That was 'unacceptable', he told a municipal meeting, seeking clarification on the position with clamping. Was planning permission needed, he asked, and were there regulations around signage.

District head David Mellett explained that clamping is regulated by the NTA and private car park operators need to comply with the regulations.

They cannot clamp within 10 minutes of parking or 10 minutes after a tickets has expired. Release needs to be within two hours maximum of payment.

There is an appeals process, to the car park owner and, if unsuccessful, to the NTA directly.

It also has to be clear that you are entering a space where clamping is in operation.