Disabled drivers are boycotting town centre shops in protest at the treatment they have received from clampers, it has been claimed.

Traders in Basildon are said to have lost thousands of pounds in the last two months after the disabled motorists - many of whom are pensioners - vowed not to return to the town centre until they receive an apology from the management company which runs the town.

Sign of the times - workmen put up signs warning drivers they will be clamped Picture: DAVE HENDERSON

The protesters claim they had no idea a new parking regime had been introduced round the town centre in April and only found out about the clamping taking place on the service roads parked in by disabled drivers for years when clampers demanded £95 to release their car.

One 74-year-old man had no choice but to pay the hefty fee as he was fighting for breath and needed to return to the oxygen pumping machine at his home - but has now taken his £150 a week shopping money to Tilbury.

Leonard Banks, of Branksome Avenue, Stanford-le-Hope, said: "The clamping was like a bully going into the school playground and kicking the toddlers."

"I don't hold a grudge against Basildon. If the Town Centre Management Company admit they were a little heavy-handed, I would shop in Basildon again as the stores are better there."

Large numbers of disabled motorists were clamped in the first fortnight of the new clamping regulations as they had never previously had any problems parking in the service roads round the town centre and failed to spot the small signs placed 12 foot up on the walls warning motorists clampers were now in operation.

Jim Furnival, general manager of the Town Centre Management Company, said: "I know nothing about people boycotting the town and we have provision in the town for disabled drivers."

Published Tuesday, June 17, 2003

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