Woman stages eight-hour sit in against Redhill parking fine
A SINGLE mum sat in her car for more than eight hours to avoid paying a clamping fine she claims was unfair.
Opposite the council-owned Marketfield Road car park in Redhill are 12 bays owned by BritParx.
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UNCLEAR: Drivers have said that signs do not mark out the clamping zone opposite the Marketfield Road car park
Emma Pitcher, 23, parked her car there on Sunday, January 15, and was threatened with a £255 fine.
She said: "If I had realised that area was private, I would have parked in the council spaces."
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Miss Pitcher added: "I have been told [by witnesses] he always sits in the car park waiting and then pounces the second you are out of sight."
Miss Pitcher returned to her car after a few minutes. What followed was an eight-hour battle which resulted in the clamper dropping the fine to £150.
Miss Pitcher, of Reigate Road, Reigate, said: "My friends brought me hot chocolate and blankets and my boyfriend even brought petrol for me to keep my engine running for the heating."
Miss Pitcher posted on the community Facebook site "Items 4 sale in Redhill and surrounding areas", where other residents shared similar stories, and in November 2009 the Surrey Mirror told the same tale after a couple were clamped before Christmas.
Miss Pitcher said: "There were two tiny signs on a brick wall warning you that you could be clamped.
"People genuinely do not know you cannot park there.
"It is very confusing being a small section in a public pay-and-display car park."
BritParx were unable to comment before the Mirror went to press.
Comments
by Jones_The_Gas
Monday, April 23 2012, 12:32PM
“....and his name is ARKADIUSZ FERENSZTAIN. My advice would be to cut the clamp off if you can. This guy is breaking every rule in the book. I experienced similar circumstances to the woman above and tried in vain to find a suitable tool to do the job - so had to pay this pitiful individual in the end.”
by Jones_The_Gas
Monday, April 23 2012, 12:28PM
“Yes he sits in a silver Volvo reg number BG04TNZ”
by kh644
Saturday, January 28 2012, 1:07AM
“This woman does not genuinely believe that the parking there was for the public, if she did she is dumb. Even so it's a pay and display car park, if you're going to leave your car unattended anywhere there make sure you show your ticket! I saw before a guy have his car clamped cos again he left his car in those spaces, it's your own fault when it happens if you don't want to get caught out don't park there simple as. While I do not agree with the clampers and it has been known that there are clampers acting unlawfully, unfortunately drivers do have to also take responsibility for their actions.”
by MarkSurrey
Friday, January 27 2012, 2:02AM
“Note to vile clamping scum: if u clamp me ill just cut your clamp off i carry an angle grinder and a power supply in my boot .”
by PSGMS
Thursday, January 26 2012, 8:15PM
“The wheel clamper parks in a silver car at the top of the car park right in the centre, it might be a Volvo saloon or something similar...”
by PSGMS
Thursday, January 26 2012, 8:08PM
“I was clamped by the same clamper when I moved into my flat (at the top of the building on the left of the photo)... unfortunately, I moved in on a Saturday (Market Day), with a removal hire van and had NO OPTION but to use the private spots where 10 spaces were empty, due to the fact the car park is very busy on Saturdays and it would not have been safe carrying furniture across a car park when cars are moving about. I thought it would be OK and left a note in the window of the van with my number. I went to prop the doors open and went straight back to the van (2 minutes later) and it was clamped.... this bloke Mr A F (used initials, as although I'd love to name him I am no media lawyer) kept telling me he did not have the authority to remove the clamp without payment (I later did a house of companies search and he is the DIRECTOR of this company)... eventually, as the removal van had to be returned to Norwich that evening I had no option but to pay... I was told to appeal - BUT, one letter a month, every month, the company has failed to respond each time. Surely breaking a few complaints laws/regulations there... Its an absolute disgrace the size of the fine AND the fact he waits for people at the top of the car park it should not be legally allowed! I warn people and point out the clamper when I see them unwittingly park in this little car park, sorry I missed Miss Pitcher but I applaud her for her actions. It makes me so angry he can get away with this, he even clamped a disabled driver not to long ago, who was displaying the blue badge!!! My next step maybe is to get a deck chair and spend the day watching the cars come in, warning them there and then... he wont get paid then (or be able to rob us)!”