How a taxi driver dealt with the Ravenside clampers

"If people don't want to pay the clamper, they can get the vehicle recovered themselves," said Chris Vale of Hastings firm 24747.

"It is perfectly legal to take a clamp off yourself - as long as you don't damage it."

Last Tuesday evening Chris answered a call from a Tesco customer to pick her up with her shopping.

He arrived at the supermarket at 6.30pm to find the Ravenside Retail Park had double yellow lines around Tesco's, and nearby stores, with no lay-by for taxis or private hire drivers to pick up or drop off customers.

When Chris arrived the customer was not ready so he went inside to help her with her bags.

He says that when he returned to the car minutes later it was already clamped.

He spoke to the clamper who refused to comment initially but said all vehicles had to be clamped regardless of circumstances.

On advice from Brian Rowlands of NPHA Chris then decided to take the matter into his own hands - and organised a recovery vehicle to pick up the car and remove it from the retail park.

He said: "The public should be made aware it is perfectly legal for them to have their vehicle recovered themselves and have the clamp removed, if clamped on private property, as long as the clamp is not damaged, so they then do not have to pay clampers anything."

Alison Flynn, corporate communications manager at Land Securities, said: "We have a car park management company to look after that area because the car park is near the sea and where car boot sales are held and we are keen to ensure that spaces there are available for shoppers.

"In terms of this particular incident, the company has reviewed the CCTV footage.

"The CCTV appears to show the taxi was left on double yellow lines for as long as 20 minutes.

"If the man concerned would like to write in to the company they will review the case. However, we have looked at the CCTV and they were acting in accordance with the protocol."

Chris contacted the Observer this week and put the question: "Should all taxi or private hire vehicles refuse to pick up at Ravenside or refuse to leave their vehicles and help their customers?"

Tesco provides a free taxi telephone service.