Councillors will be asked to approve civil enforcement powers to remove vehicles blocking the Tour de France route.

Calderdale Cabinet is expected to back the move on Monday and other councils including Kirklees are taking similar steps.

While powers to wheel clamp vehicles already exist, a removal element needs to be added to an Events Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO).

The race will pass through much of Calderdale, including Elland, on July 6 before heading into Huddersfield and the Holme Valley.

A report to the Calderdale Cabinet report says: “The council hosts a number of events each year and none, to date, have required vehicles to be towed away.

“In this case the race organisers (TDF Hub Ltd 2014) have stipulated that the highways affected by the race need to be clear of all unauthorised vehicular traffic.

“This is for the safety of riders, the tour traffic, spectators and the general public.

“Under the current Civil Parking Enforcement powers, the Civil Enforcement Officers can issue a Penalty Charge Notice (financial penalty) to vehicles contravening an ETRO, but the Council have chosen not to remove vehicles.

“However, for this specific event, a financial penalty is not sufficient as it does not remove the vehicle from the race route. If vehicles are not removed, it could put the event in jeopardy.”

The police have powers to remove vehicles obstructing the highway, but their resources are likely to be deployed elsewhere.

The council hopes engagement with residents means towing resources will not be needed, but they are taking steps to address the issue in case.

The council: “It is intended that these powers are only used for the Tour de France 2014. Where it is intended to use these powers again, Cabinet approval will be requested.”

It will prohibit and restrict “the movement of vehicles on or in close proximity to the race route and to prohibit or restrict vehicles from parking on or in close proximity of the race route for the duration of the Tour de France 2014 event”.

Other authorities, including Kirklees, have taken similar steps and public meetings have been arranged ahead of the July 5-6 event to raise awareness of the restrictions.

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