SOUTH Essex MPs have backed a new Government Bill which will finally see clamping on private land outlawed following a long-running Echo campaign.

Six south Essex MPs supported the Protection of Freedoms Bill which received a second reading in the House of Commons.

The Echo has exposed dozens of cases across south Essex where people have been unfairly targeted by rogue clampers, who charge exorbitant release fees.

Key proposals in the Bill include scaling back the use of CCTV, local authority surveillance powers and the police DNA database, as well as making clamping illegal on private land.

David Amess, MP for Southend West, James Duddridge, MP for Rochford and Southend East, Mark Francois, MP for Rayleigh and Wickford, Rebecca Harris, MP for Castle Point, Stephen Metcalfe, MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock and Jackie Doyle-Price, MP for Thurrock backed the Bill.

Five of the MPs, who joined together for a photo on the new College Green outside Parliament, said they had all dealt with complaints from constituents about clampers.

They issued a joint statement which said: “This Bill is good news for people across Essex, as it will mean car clamping on private land will be made illegal. Too many of our constituents have been exploited by car clamping companies who were interpreting the old law far beyond what was originally intended and this new Bill will help to stop that practice in future, which is why we are all collectively very happy to support it.”

Maureen Lansley, 55, was clamped when she parked in her designated bay outside her home in Kenway, Southend.

Clamping firm National Clamps said Mrs Lansley was clamped on February 9 as she had not displayed her permit.

Mrs Lansley said: “The Bill sounds brilliant.

“Sometimes clampers cause more trouble than they are worth.

“In some instances they are just doing a job, but where I live things were better before the clampers were introduced.

“It’s good to hear the MPs are supporting residents because it is terrible what some people have been through.”

Ron May, 46, also lives in Kenway and was recently clamped.

He welcomed the Bill, saying: “Some of the clamping stories are outrageous.

“I paid my fine, but had been trying to get a permit for three months.”