Vehicle removals
Vehicles which are issued with a penalty charge notice (PCN) may be liable to be removed. In some cases this can be immediately.
Our priorities are to remove vehicles which are causing obstruction or danger to other road users or pedestrians or denying access to disabled drivers or the emergency services. This can include:
- unauthorised vehicles parked in designated bays, such as disabled, doctors, ambulance, and resident
- parked causing an obstructions to other road users, such as doubled parked
- blocking access to emergency services
- parked in a bus lane.
Although your vehicle may not be a priority this does not mean that it will not be removed, therefore you should ensure your vehicle is removed immediately after it receives a PCN.
Car pound
Vehicles that we tow away are taken to the car pound located in Silwood Avenue, Bermondsey.
Capital Car Pound
Silwood Triangle
Landmann Way
Bermondsey
SE14 5RL
Tel: 020 7237 6844.
Opening hours
The pound is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
How to pay and retrieve your vehicle
The car pound is the only place where you can pay the removal release fee and any storage charges.
The current removal fee is £200. You must pay the penalty charge notice (PCN ) and removal fee before the vehicle can be released. You will also have to provide proof that you own the vehicle.
The documents you will need are:
- drivers licence or passport
- V5 (log book)
and one of the following:
- insurance full schedule or certificate
- utility bill
- rent agreement
- council tax bill.
You can pay by cash, cheque (providing a valid cheque guarantee card covers it), postal order, or by credit or debit card (except American Express).
If the vehicle is not claimed from the car pound on the day it is removed, a storage charge of £40 a day is also payable. This is charged from midnight on the first day following removal and on subsequent days.
If the vehicle is not claimed the council will dispose of it at a cost to you of £70. The council will also take action to recover any unpaid penalty charge, release fee and storage charges.
TRACE
TRACE is a free 24 hours a day helpline service for anyone whose vehicle may have been towed away If you believe your vehicle has been removed by any council, the police or DVLA you can phone TRACE on 0845 206 8 602. They will tell you where your vehicle is and the fee you have to pay. For more information see TRACE - towed vehicle tracing service.
If your vehicle is removed and you feel it is unfair, you can make representations against it after you have paid the penalty charge and release fees.