WHEEL clampers working for the DVLA targeted 20 vehicles during a day of action in Colchester.

Many of the vehicles were in the New Town area of Colchester with one even being clamped while parked on a single yellow line in Military Road.

The vehicles were clamped because their owners had allegedly failed to pay for their road tax.

It is the latest visit to the borough by DVLA officers, who also clamped ten vechicles during a day of action on October 7.

Colchester High Steward Sir Bob Russell, who got in touch with the Gazette after spotting spotted some of the clamped cars, said: “Drivers who pay the tax will, I am sure, welcome the DVLA’s action in dealing with the minority of owners who cheat by not paying.

“Evidence shows in many cases such vehicles are also not insured, which puts others at financial risk should there be an accident.

“The only problem is that one of the wheel clamped cars is on a yellow line in Military Road where it causes a bit of a nuisance to traffic flow at busy times.

“It has been there several days and has now picked up a parking ticket as well.”

Drivers whose vehicles are clamped must pay a £100 fee.

If it cannot be proved the vehicle is taxed, a £160 surety fee will be charged which will be refunded if the vehicle tax is paid within 15 days of the vehicle’s release.

A spokesman for the DVLA said he could not comment on individual cases.

However, he added: “As part of their day-to-day enforcement DVLA’s national wheel clamping partner, NSL, clamps or impounds any untaxed vehicles seen on the road.

“We are unable to comment on specific cases but we can confirm that 20 untaxed vehicles were clamped in Colchester.

“DVLA operates a range of measures to make vehicle tax easy to pay and hard to avoid, including online vehicle taxing and direct debit.

“We also continue to send reminder letters to vehicle keepers, which is why it is so important they notify DVLA of a change of address or keeper.

“It is right that we take action against those who don’t tax their vehicles and then drive them otherwise it wouldn’t be fair to those who do the right thing.

“Clamping is one of a range of measures we use to make sure these untaxed vehicles are not driven on the road.”