Key talks were being held today over car clamping in Basildon town centre which has caused fury among disabled drivers.

Complaints have flooded in from distressed motorists who have fallen foul of new parking restrictions. Many have been faced with £95 bills to remove clamps.

The Town Centre Management Company was meeting with clampers, Parking Control Services, to look at the complaints received since the regulations came into force on service roads last week.

The company is also putting up larger signs telling drivers they will be clamped in the private roads round the centre of town. Many disabled drivers first found out about the new parking arrangement when they were clamped and forced to pay a £95 release fee.

Some are so incensed by the clamping regime and what they consider to be a lack of prior warning they are planning on fighting the fines through the courts or taking to the streets of Basildon in a protest drive.

Jim Furnival, general manager of the Town Centre Management Company, said: "We have set aside a day to look at the complaints we have received and deal with them.

"The prime objective is to ensure the service roads are maintained and kept clear for the deliveries needed by businesses in the area.

"We really have warned people enough that no unauthorised vehicles are allowed to park there."

Published Wednesday, April 16, 2003

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