The biggest problem from a drivers point of view (and I know not all are innocent) seems to be the lack of signage. Quite often people have no idea that they're parked on private land, I've been caught out by this myself and I knw how easy it is to do. I don't think clamping is the answer, certainly not some of the clamp-jockeys I've seen, but I don't have a better idea. Barriers seem to work pretty well for carparks etc, ours uses a swipe card opening system, but otherwise I suspect putting up big signs everywhere would be a first step, followed by issuing tickets which I believe can be done on private land as long as there are warning signs.

I agree. Though a better solution would be a racketeering law, which would enable clamping to go ahead but not be extortionate. Best of all it could have been used against banks and credit card companies with high loan rates.

They effectively tried that by requiring clampers to be licensed. Looks like that's had no real effect on the cowboys whatsoever. So it's a case of 'if you really can't play properly we'll just have to take your ball away'.

Jon

Well there is the option of making the landowners liable for extortion.

In similar vein to that which Amnesia mooted earlier, why not introduce a law that states that parking on private land constitutes an implied acceptance of an offer to tend for free. Subsequently, private citizens are allowed to sell or take ownership of any car parked on their land without consent.

Basically if you park in the wrong place, the vehicle ain't yours anymore.

...As long as there is obvious and adequate signage.

Yes but the owner would photograph the vehicle leave a notice of abandonment on the windscreen and report it to the police. On the next occasion the land owner could do the same and on the third occasion clamp the vehicle as it is now their possession, by virtue of abandonment.