12:00pm Saturday 20th March 2010
By Andrew Napier
JULIEN Durand was cross that he was wheelclamped. He was even angrier because he was clamped… in his own parking space.
The clampers struck because his permit had temporarily slipped out of view in his Nissan Pixo parked outside his flat at Bilberry Court, Tower Street, Winchester.
He was lumbered with a £165 bill and felt even more angry because the clamper knows him and his vehicle. He had even kindly knocked on the door of his flat to tell him he had left his lights on.
Mr Durand, 32, wine merchant, said: “It is just crazy. What really irks me is that the guy knocked on my door recently and said I had left my lights on. Then today he turns round and says he does not know who I am.”
The clampers, Ultimate and SIG Parking Services, were called for comment, but a member of staff said it did not comment on individual cases.
It is the latest of over-zealous clamping in Winchester, following stories covered by the Daily Echo of clamping in St Cross and Fulflood.
White’s Car Park Solutions has been clamping customers of an Indian takeaway on St Cross Road when drivers have been going into the premises to get permits.
Other drivers were immobilised seeking refuge in the car park of the Roebuck Inn on Stockbridge Road during the blizzards in January.
Local MP Mark Oaten is campaigning to have private clamping banned.
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