Attack of clampers (From Free Press Series)

Attack of clampers

LOCAL motorists have been hit where it hurts for shopping in Pontypool. Several people were left £150 out of pocket after their vehicles were clamped whilst parked in Crane Street, between Argos and Farm Foods, last week.

Signs have been posted in the area warning motorists they are entering private property and face being fined, having their vehicles clamped or towed away if they are found to be parking illegally.

A-level student Daniel Court, of Griffithstown, was one of the motorists to fall foul of CPS Enforcement Ltd, the parking enforcement contractor employed by DTZ, real estate advisor, to monitor the area.

The 18-year-old works part time at CJ's Fish Bar in Crane Street and left his car at the bottom of the service area last Tuesday where he was clamped.

His mother Barbara Court, admitted Daniel was wrong to park there, but said she thought the release fee was "extortionate".

"Daniel rang me and I came and explained to the gentlemen that Daniel is a full time student doing his A-levels, and asked if they would enforce the £90 parking notice, instead of the £150 clamp fee, but they wouldn't," she said.

"It's just so annoying, the signs were there, he was at fault but he was not obstructing anyone."

Mrs Court criticised the location of the signs on the wall saying they are very high for people to read and has written a letter of complaint to the company.

Tracy Kennedy, of Pontypool, also returned to her car last Tuesday, after a quick visit to Argos, to find it clamped.

On offering to pay the fee by credit card she was told the payment would have to be made by cash because the portable payment machine was not working.

Ricki Oliver, director of training and staff development for CPS Enforcement Ltd, said: "We carried out two traffic management studies before taking the contract to manage the area and found delivery lorries were unable to manoeuvre correctly and unload goods because of cars parking there, raising health and safety issues. This has a knock on effect. It is costing the hauliers money by delaying deliveries, which costs the shops money resulting in higher prices for customers.

"It is down to the management agency or the landowner to decide what action they want taken. DTZ requested cars be clamped and this has had the desired effect by reducing the number of cars parking on site by 60 percent."

Mr Oliver explained the high visibility signs are placed to avoid being obstructed or vandalised and fees are set to cover the company's costs and act as a deterrent.