Haringey Council is set to explore the possibility of bringing its vehicle removal service in-house, alongside the extension of its current contract with Marston (Holdings) Limited (MHL). The decision was made at a Cabinet Member Signing meeting on 19 November 2025.
The council has approved a one-year extension of the Nuisance Vehicle Removal Contract with MHL, valued at £1,117,720, running from 1 December 2025 to 30 November 2026. This extension will allow time to conduct an in-house feasibility assessment, informing the council’s long-term strategy beyond 2026.
The contract covers the removal of nuisance, abandoned, and obstructive vehicles.
Councillor Seema Chandwani, Cabinet Member for Resident Services & Tackling Inequality, approved the contract extension and the feasibility assessment. The minutes of the meeting confirm that the decision ensures the continuation of a critical service that supports parking compliance and the council's wider transport objectives.
The public reports pack highlights the importance of the contract in supporting major events at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, where the council has a statutory duty to maintain clear evacuation routes and emergency access corridors. According to the report, Tottenham event days regularly generate significant traffic and parking pressure, and a reliable removal service is essential to manage obstructive vehicles that compromise safety.
The in-house feasibility assessment will include site identification, capital investment options, and service design requirements. This assessment will help the council determine the best approach for the long-term delivery of the service. The development of an in-house feasibility assessment will include site identification, capital investment options, and service design requirements to inform the Council’s long-term procurement or delivery strategy beyond 2026.
Alternative options were considered, including discontinuing the contract. However, this was deemed not viable due to potential safety risks and compliance issues. An immediate in-house solution was also ruled out due to the complexities of establishing a secure and well-managed vehicle pound facility within the borough.
The extended contract is expected to be cost neutral, funded from the parking budget with anticipated car pound income offsetting the expenses. The public reports pack states that the contract supports the council's Corporate Delivery Plan 2024-26, contributing to a safer Haringey, responding to the climate emergency, enhancing the borough's place and economy, and improving resident experience.
