PERSISTENT evaders who have multiple unpaid parking fines, and those scamming the Blue Badge Scheme, could soon face a crackdown.

The Isle of Wight Council's new vehicle removal policy has been earmarked for approval by transport cabinet member, Cllr Ian Ward.

He will rubber stamp the policy under delegated powers on Monday (October 29), providing the decision is not called in by another councillor.

The policy would see vehicles parked in contravention of the rules taken to a storage facility if the owners are repeat offenders.

It will target persistent evaders who park where they should not, fraudulent use of disabled parking, fraudulent use of Isle of Wight Council permits or pay and display parking tickets, and those whose parking causes a serious obstruction to emergency services and other road users.

Persistent evaders are classified as keepers of vehicles with multiple unpaid parking fines, or penalty charge notices (PCNs).

If the registered keeper has three or more recorded contraventions and the PCNs are not paid, represented or appealed against within the statutory time limits, action will be taken.

It is proposed that a persistent evader's vehicle can be removed following the issue of a further penalty charge notice when parked in contravention of the Traffic Management Act 2004.

There are currently a small number of vehicles which have many unpaid PCNs — and some have no registered keeper.

As of September 2018 there were 76 vehicles with more than ten PCNs, totalling £45,952.

The new course of action means a contractor will be instructed to seize and impound the vehicle.

The vehicle cannot be removed until 15 minutes has elapsed from the time the PCN is issued. The vehicle will be released upon payment of the fees.

The owner/keeper will be required to pay associated costs — £105 for vehicle removal, £12 per day vehicle storage, and £50 vehicle disposal.

In addition, they will be required to pay the amount due for all of the penalty charge notices issued to the vehicle to date.

A second recommendation is that Cllr Ward enters into negotiations with Island Roads to extend their contract to include the removal, storage and disposal of the vehicles, or if unsuccessful procure a new contractor.