Redbridge Council is exploring the introduction of a vehicle removal service and car pound as part of its Clean and Green Policy. The council's Clean and Green Policy Development Committee met on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, to review recommendations stemming from a series of workshops held between July 2025 and January 2026, which focused on improving parking services.
The proposed service aims to tackle persistent offenders, unregistered vehicles, and obstructions on the roads. The committee is set to produce a draft report by February 13, 2026, with a final version expected by the end of February, ahead of the next meeting on March 10, 2026.
Defining Persistent Offenders and Prioritising Removals
The council plans to adopt national persistent evader legislation to address vehicles with multiple unpaid penalty charge notices. This legislation will enable the recovery of outstanding fines from individuals attempting to reclaim towed vehicles. The criteria for vehicle removal will prioritise serious parking contraventions, including those in disabled bays, bus lanes, school keep clears, and areas with loading restrictions.
Financial Considerations and Operational Model
It is hoped that the vehicle removal service will operate on a break-even basis, with potential revenue generated from persistent evaders. The proposal includes the deployment of two tow trucks to ensure continuous patrol coverage. The service provider will be contractually responsible for the entire process, from removal to vehicle disposal, with key performance indicators (KPIs) in place to guarantee efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Penalties will be levied against the provider for any delays in vehicle disposal.
Reclaiming Vehicles and Associated Fees
Owners seeking to reclaim their vehicles from the car pound will need to provide identification. The council will then seek to recover all outstanding unpaid penalty charge notices. A flat fee for removal, as set by legislation, and a tiered scale of daily storage charges will apply.
Ensuring Fairness for Unregistered Vehicles
The new service is expected to be effective in dealing with unregistered vehicles, which can be towed away immediately. The end-to-end contractual responsibility of the service provider, including disposal and adherence to KPIs, is intended to ensure a fair and efficient process.
Tender Timeline for Civil Enforcement
The civil enforcement service contract, currently operating on a rolling extension, is due to be tendered within the next couple of months. The vehicle removal service is intended to be incorporated into this upcoming tender.
Further details on the committee's discussions can be found in the Public reports pack for the Clean and Green Policy Development Committee meeting on 27th January 2026.