Haulier fuming over £750 parking fine
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By Laura Hailstone THE OWNER OF Brian R Pateield is reeling after one of his drivers was stung with an initial parking ine of £2,572 in West Thurrock, Essex.
En route to the Dartford Crossing and needing cash, the driver pulled into Thurrock Parkway while he visited a cashpoint. The road appeared to be a public road with no obvious restrictions. On his return, however, his truck had been clamped and an attendant from South East Clamping & Associates initially demanded £1,150 to release the vehicle. He was told the charge would increase by £100 for every half hour that the attendant remained on site.
Speaking to CM, Brian Pateield says: “The attendant pointed out a small sign on a tree about 10ft or 12ft high, and partly obscured by foliage [see photo top right]. There’s no way that anyone would think to look that high.”
Pateield contacted the local council as to the ownership of the land, but did not get a deinite answer. He then contacted the local police and an oficer arrived on the scene and managed to get the total ine reduced to £750 by removing the 5% charge for payment by card, the £400 tow truck fee and the waiting time charges that would have amounted to £1,300.
“Even £750 is an extortionate fee but, having virtually lost a day’s earnings, I reluctantly agreed to pay the amount for my driver to carry on with his journey,” says Pateield.
Gordon Telling, head of urban logistics at the Freight Transport Association, says the law governing private clamping irms has yet to change.
“If Pateield wants to ight this, he would have to go through the courts, which could end up costing him more money. Unfortunately, it is completely unfair.” South East Clamping & Associates declined to comment.