Fined Havant driver to warn motorists about clampers
A car park clamping victim is to fight back against a parking firm by warning shoppers away from the site.
After being caught out by wheel clampers last weekend, community arts teacher Charlie Fletcher has taken it upon himself to sit in the car park and warn other unaware drivers of the huge fines they could face.
The site owned by Pizza Hut in Solent Road, Havant, was in The News last month when some of the restaurant's own customers were handed a whopping 125 fine.
After failing to see the small signs on Valentine's Day, Mr Fletcher was shown no love by the clampers from BSG Security firm when he was stung with a 125 fine.
He has vowed to visit the site tomorrow to speak to other motorists and warn them not to park there.
He said: 'The signs at the car park are too small and I did not see them.
'Saturday will be a busy day, so I'll pop down there after work. It is not illegal parking I have a problem with, people should be fined if they knowingly park illegally.
'People do not park there thinking they don't mind getting a 125 fine. They park there accidentally because they don't see the signs. I'll be there to warn them, which is what the clamping firm should do really.'
Sue Grinter, 48, from Forest Road in Denmead, could have done with Mr Fletcher on watch when she was clamped at the Pizza Hut car park.
She went to Next before going to Pizza Hut for lunch.
She was clamped and had to pay 125.
'Nowhere is there any indication that you only get 15 minutes.
'I was livid, I was very angry,' she said.
A spokesman from Gosport-based BSG Security defended the firm.
He said: 'We work well within the law and the guidelines laid out by the British Parking Authority. Our signs are the correct size recommended by BPA, 450mm by 450mm.
'We try and be fair. If someone is clamped and can produce a genuine Pizza Hut receipt to show they were in there at the time we will refund the charge immediately. Also, unlike most companies, we give motorists a 15-minute period until we clamp them.'
A spokeswoman for Pizza Hut said: 'We believe the restriction is satisfactorily signposted with eight signs around the car park.
'We would encourage anyone who feels they have grounds for complaint to contact the car park management through the appeals process.'
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Friday 25 May 2012
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