A COUNCILLOR has urged motorists to help put clampers out of business, by using only designated car parks.

Keith Hudson, Tory Rochford councillor responsible for planning, spoke out urging motorists to join together to “drain their income”.

The Echo has exposed clampers LBS Enforcement and reported on cases of them charging hundreds of pounds to release people’s cars.

The Government is poised to act with a new Freedom Bill to outlaw unfair clamping tactics, but no new law will be introduced until next year.

Mr Hudson said drivers should stick to council-owned car parks rather than risk being clamped.

He said: “Don’t put your vehicle at risk. There is absolutely no need, because for the sake of a few yards walk, why would you risk clamping?

“Let’s not give them the opportunity of making money out of us. Let us all band together, drain the income from these people and put them out of business.

“Rochford District Council provides well-located car parks in all of our town centre.

“Our rates are pretty low and we offer free parking in the evenings after 7pm, on Saturday afternoons and all day Sunday.

“I can only encourage folk to make use of our car parks and maybe not risk being clamped in the first place.”

Mark Flewitt, Southend Tory councillor responsible for transport and planning, backed Mr Hudson’s move.

He added: “I would say it is a very pragmatic advice. We have got a good deal of car parking.

“I have heard people say we have got too much public car parking space.

“As we are a seaside town and we want people to come in, we are very sensitive about being able to provide adequate and safe parking so people don’t fear clamping.”