VOTE: Upset after Worthing charity concert goers hit by car clampers

MOTORISTS have reacted with anger after attending a St Barnabas hospice charity event at the Assembly Hall, Worthing, and leaving to find their cars had been clamped.
By The Newsroom
Published 9th Dec 2009, 13:31 BST
Updated 8th Jun 2018, 00:59 BST

Ten cars were clamped including three members of the band of the Salvation Army and a member of the Worthing Philharmonic Orchestra.

They had no alternative but to each pay 130 for the clamp to be released.

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The event was the annual Light of Life Festival, attended by mayor Noel Atkins, at which candles are lit to remember those who have been cared for over the years at the hospice.

Notices missed

The clampers were busy in the NHS-run Central Clinic car park, which is separated by a partial flint wall from the Assembly Hall/Civic Centre car park which is free at night.

One notice fixed to the wall states the area is a private car park and people who park there without permission could be clamped.

The release fee is 130 and if the car is towed away, the reclaim fee is 330.

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One of the band members clamped was Royce Warnes, who said: "We arrived in the dark and just didn't see the signs.

Darkness

"The clinic was in darkness, it was obvious no-one was there, and we just believed the area was available for parking at night.

"Given that the area is so dark, the warning sign should, at least, be illuminated to give motorists a fair chance of seeing it."

The car park is operated by Parking Control Management South Ltd. with a postal box address and a local telephone number.

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We called the number seven times to seek a comment but each time a recorded message said all staff were busy. We left a message for a company representative to call back, but no reply was received.

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