People who park illegally in Hamilton's public car parks could soon face a clamping charge doubled from $100 to $200.

That was the warning from Deputy Mayor Bill Black, who is not happy that almost 50 motorists got clamped last month.

The scheme began on November 5 after the Corporation of Hamilton lost patience with people parking without paying, costing around $300,000 in revenue each year.

"We had more cars clamped than we expected for the month of November," said Mr. Black. "We would like to encourage people to pay their parking fees and not be subjected to clamping in our parking lots.

"There's lots of room for everyone but they must pay their dues."

The scheme is operated by Safeguard Security, which has kept all the revenue from the $100 charges so far, according to Mr. Black.

However, he warned: "We are going to assess it in January. If there's not been an improvement we might start adding to the charge. We might go as far as $200, with $100 to us and $100 to the security company, but we don't want to do that. We want people to pay their fees."

He revealed that automatic barriers should be installed at two of the ten parking lots — Bull's Head and City Hall — early in the new year. These will require motorists to pay for a ticket before they leave.

Mr. Black said the Corporation views the clamping as a temporary measure only, until the barriers can be rolled out across all the public parking lots in the city.

News of a possible $200 clamping charge was met with mixed reactions from people parked at the Bull's Head yesterday.

"That's pretty high, it's a big jump, but people are aware already and $5 (for a ticket) is not much to ask. In my opinion I would rather pay $5 than $200," said Cidalia Ponte, aged in her 30s from Hamilton Parish.

Lavinia Codrington, a Devonshire resident who gave her age as 50-plus said: "It's ridiculous. It could be me!"

While she agreed with clamping on the basis that everyone should have to pay for a parking ticket, she said: "$200 is rather over-the-head. They should let the scheme run for a little while (first) to see if people pay attention."

A 32-year-old woman from Devonshire, who declined to give her name, said: "$25 a week for parking tickets is enough. I'm scratching where it can't itch. $200 is too much, way too much. They do need to clamp as some people are taking a chance. No freebies, but $200 is a bit heavy."

A 35-year-old man from Warwick said: "It's ridiculous. There should be a charge but that's too high."

However, he added: "I know a lot of other places charge more. The hospital charges $150 a day if you are clamped.

A 32-year-old woman from St. David's said: "If you break the law you have got consequences. You should pay for your parking."