The Corporation of Hamilton has maintained that it can and will continue to clamp illegally parked vehicles within the City, warning motorists not to damage the clamps or threaten staff.

A spokesman for the Corporation said: “As a land owner and owner of the private car parks where clamping has been enforced, the Corporation is in no different a position than the ordinary landowner who may charge for parking on his land and indeed impose other rules for its use for parking, and may in addition, provided this is brought to the attention of the drivers by appropriate signage or other public notice, clamp and tow away cars parked in breach of his rules.

“On this, the Corporation is advised the law is clear. In addition we will not have our staff or equipment placed at risk. Anyone damaging the clamps or threating staff will be the subject of vigorous legal proceedings for damages and other remedies.”

The statement came following comments made by Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner, who dismissed charges against a man accused of damaging a master lock affixed to his motorcycle while it was parked in a reserved space at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital.

Mr Warner said the clamping had been illegal, adding that the Corporation lacked the legal authority to clamp vehicles — a claim the Corporation has steadfastly denied, citing the Road Traffic Act 1947.