Sydney Rd, Brunswick revealed as Melbourne’s street for clearway cloggers

A new report reveals 10,000 cars, vans and trucks are being towed away each year, with as many as six vehicles towed from one popular shopping strip seeing every weekday. SEE THE LIST

New data shows where clearway cowboys clog our roads. Picture: Mark Dadswell

Sydney Rd in Brunswick is again Victoria’s black spot for clearway cloggers with an average of more than six vehicles towed away every weekday.

About 10,000 cars, vans and trucks are hauled away each year for blocking peak-hour clearway zones and causing traffic havoc.

High St in Prahran is the second worst spot, followed by King St in the Melbourne CBD and Johnston St, Fitzroy.

Retrieving your impounded vehicle will cost $361. Picture: Mark Dadswell

New figures from VicRoads and the City of Melbourne show that for 2018-19 clearway cowboys were frustrating fellow commuters at increasing rates.

The latest annual total for Sydney Rd was 1627, up from 1349 in 2015.

A Transport Department spokesman said drivers needed to obey clearway zones to ensure fellow motorists can get where they need to be.

“There’s nothing more frustrating than being stuck in peak hour traffic and seeing a parked car in a clearway zone,’’ the spokesman said.

“This can also cause delays for public transport users trying to get to and from work and school.

“All drivers have a responsibility to check parking signs before they park and leave their cars.’’

Transport Department spokesman said drivers have a responsibility to check parking signs.

Being towed is a costly exercise too. The release fee for retrieving a vehicle from the impound now costs $361.

Hundreds of drivers appeal their clearway offences each year but only “exceptional circumstances’’, such as vehicle breakdowns and medical emergencies, are accepted.

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King St, the CBD’s main north-south arterial road, is still main black spot for selfish stoppers. The problem is often at its worst on Friday nights as revellers or footy fans head into the city before 7pm.

A Melbourne City Council spokeswoman said any vehicle parked in a clearway during the designated clearway hours was towed for safety.

“Just one vehicle stopped in a clearway can cause significant traffic flow issues and present a safety hazard to other vehicles,’’ the spokeswoman said.

While some drivers can get a parking ticket, often the vehicle is hauled away before a parking officer can attend.

@IanRoyall