A controversial car park owner, who was this summer the focus of a TV documentary on car clamping, has welcomed Government plans to crack down on cowboy clampers.

Ted Evans, who owns Changegate car park, in Haworth, has had nationwide press coverage about high profile people clamped while visiting the Brontë shrine.

Mr Evans — whose car park is operated by Car Stoppers, which manages a number of car parks in Airedale — said: “I have no problem with legislation that makes the rules plain to everyone.

“There are some unscrupulous operators who can be wicked in the way they can demand over £200 for clamping and towing away fees.”

The new legislation revealed in the Queen’s Speech called for a limit on the size of clamping penalties, regulations about towing-away practices and an effective and fair appeals process.

He said he was in favour of limiting the size of clamping penalties. He charged £75. And he believed it was crucial to legislate over towing-away practices, a system he banned on his car park.

But he had doubts about the effectiveness of a legislated appeals system. I already have an appeals process and I respond to everyone who writes to me and I have the final say about whether to refund money,” he said.

“There are situations where I have given money back even though Car Stoppers have been operating perfectly properly but I felt, on the balance of fairness, they should be refunded.”

But a compulsory system would be hugely bureaucratic and could take months to settle.

“The system now is fair where people can go to the small claims court where it can be settled relatively quickly.

“But I have to say this, people tell some appalling lies when they are wheel clamped. It’s a very emotive subject and to find the truth is very difficult,” said Mr Evans, who records and videos all instances of clamping at Changegate.

RAC Foundation director Professor Stephen Glaister said: “Motorists everywhere will be relieved to finally hear of the Government’s commitment to tackle cowboy clampers.”

AA president Edmund King said: “ If this fails, clamping on private land should be outlawed as it has been in Scotland since 1992.”