SOUTHAMPTON'S transport boss will be quizzed today on his plans to clamp and tow away thousands of illegally parked cars across the city.

Gavin Dick, the city council's Cabinet member for transport, was facing a scrutiny panel to explain his plan to give a private firm powers to carry out the crackdown.

He wants to curb illegal parking in the city in a bid to improve traffic flows, reduce safety hazards and boost the recovery of penalty charges.

But the chairman and vice-chairman of the environment and transport panel have called in the decision by the Tory Cabinet. They say it failed to notify the panel of the proposals or provide enough information to councillors and the public.

Cllr Jill Baston said too many questions were left unanswered.

"They're attempting to bring in a major policy change without giving other councillors a chance to discuss it at scrutiny panel. No one sympathises with people who park illegally but why the rush?"

Cllr Dick hit back, saying scrutiny should follow Cabinet decisions not take the lead.

He said: "I'm sorry that they feel they haven't had enough information but there is enough for the exercise to go out to tender.

"The details are still to be thrashed out and that will go through scrutiny.

"At this stage we want to keep it as open as possible."

Under the plans the council estimates about 3,450 cars - one fifth of those eligible - will be towed away each year for causing a danger or obstruction "to traffic or pedestrian flows" and those illegally parked and found to have three unpaid tickets.

Cllr Dick said clamping would rarely be used and stressed the move was not a revenue-raising exercise and wasn't expected to make a profit.

Neighbouring councils have been invited to join the scheme.

The policy has been condemned by motoring organisations as "out of step" with a Government consultation on banning councils using clamping to raise funds.

The scrutiny panel can decide to make recommendations but the Cabinet is not bound to accept them.

The full council was today also due to decide whether to allocate funding for the proposed scheme.