Clamping at Jennett's Park

8.55.51am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 25th Aug 2009

The latest example of clamping at Jennett's Park (Standard, 20 Aug) shows just how important and urgent it is that the Government brings forward legislation to curb the excesses of companies like Park Direct as soon as possible.

These companies are making millions of pounds every year from motorists who inadvertedly park on private land and find themselves with virtually no alternative but to hand over large sums of money to get their car back or have the clamp removed.

The situation is inevitably compounded by the unscrupulous and over-zealous behaviour of the clampers involved, who may well be on commission of up to £50 a vehicle. Their actions often verge on criminality and amount to little more than legalised mugging.

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Unsuspecting visitors to Jennett's Park could quite reasonably be forgiven for thinking there are no parking restrictions on this estate. The few notices which do exist are poorly located and hopelessly inadequate. They should be replaced immediately by much more visible signs at the entrance to each of the roads concerned.

I am really surprised that companies such as Redrow Homes and Persimmon Homes allow organisations such as Park Direct to operate in this way at Jennett's Park.. It will certainly not endear potential home buyers to their sites if they find they have been clamped for parking in the wrong place!

At the very least these companies should ensure that proper notices warning of the risk of clamping are placed at the entrance to each of the roads affected. If not, the public will assume, rightly or wrongly, they are willing to let this despicable and extortionate practice continue.

Ray Earwicker

Lib Dem Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Bracknell