 Clamped "illegally parked" outside my own hse.
Right... GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
(be calm)
I have a permit to park outside my house - its a red square with a stamp on, nothing more. I'm having some electrical work done on my house, so gave the permit to my electrician this morning, who put it in the screen of his (marked) van.
I came home at lunchtime to check on his work, and was in the house for no longer than 15 mins. I got outside to see a clamping van sat next to my car, and a clamp already attached!
Its a private road on a new development, and "rules" are enforced by Parking Control Management (UK) Limited.
I had no choice but to pay £125 (via credit card) for removal, as a plea to actually understand the circumstances and mitigate on the spot went totally unheard.
Basically they've extorted £125 from me. I have the address of the appeals department, but there's no guarantee that an appeal will be successful. Clamping was put in place to deter students (it has worked) not to penalise residents.
I've taken photos to show my car parked behind my electrician's van, and also photos to show the permit (non-car specific) sat in his screen.
There are signs warning that clamping is in operation, but
In addition (and this is hopefully the fun part) they stuck a big sign on my car saying (amongst other things)
"Stop! This illegally parked vehicle has been immobilised..."
Now as far as I'm aware, it is illegal to misrepresent something as "illegal" when it isn't. Does this apply to this notice, and what do you suggest I hit them with?
I want the safest and quickest way of getting my money back, as I DO (obviously) have a "right" to park on this road, therefore I do have "permission". I also want to hit back against what I see as a total lack of thought on their part. By their own admission, the clamper said he was heading for the rusty van, as it didn't look like it should be there. He also says that he doesn't clamp the cars that he KNOWS belong to residents, who may have forgotten their pass that day or it slip off the windscreen. But as he's new to the area, he didn't "know" my car, so clamped it... so they CAN use their common sense when it suits them.
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