THOUSANDS of illegally parked cars in Southamp-ton will be clamped or towed away under controvesial plans for crackdown on drivers in the city.
But today the proposal was condemned by motoring organisations as "out of step" with Government policy.
Tory council chiefs are planning to give a private firm powers to carry out the crackdown in a bid to improve traffic flows, reduce safety hazards, and boost the recovery of penalty charges.
It comes as the Department for Transport is consulting on a ban on councils using wheel-clamping to raise funds.
Southampton City Council wants to remove cars causing a danger or obstruction "to traffic or pedestrian flows" and those illegally parked and found to have three unpaid tickets.
Estimates by Southampton City Council suggest the authority would raise at least £690,000 in recovery fees.
The council has previously refrained from using the powers, but has said the inability of traffic wardens to move on illegal parkers has caused "major problems in keeping traffic moving around the city".
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