For some time now I have been concerned at the way wheel clamp companies go about their business and this concern was brought into sharp focus earlier this week.

I'd been invited to open a local business, parked outside their premises, did the necessary and then returned to find my car clamped. As you can imagine, I wasn't best pleased at the suggestion I should hand over £100 to release my car.

There then followed what might be termed a full and frank exchange between myself, the clamper, his supervisor and then the boss of Hadrian Traffic Management before finally they admitted a mistake had been made and my car was freed.

This is the second time I've had to intervene with this company and I believe the time has now come for legislation to regulate the industry.

Last year I was contacted by a 76-year-old lady who had visited some sheltered accommodation in Middlesbrough to take Holy Communion to a housebound resident.

Unsure of where the lady's house was, she saw a warden, parked, got out of the car and asked for directions. As she did, a clamper pounced. Despite her protestations he refused to unclamp the car until she handed over £100. She appealed in writing to the company but this was rejected.

It was only six months later and after the intervention of Middlesbrough Council that Hadrian Traffic Management relented and returned the money the pensioner.

I'm glad the company saw sense in my case but I feel this was down to the fact I am no shrinking violet and have the position of elected mayor. Other members of the public may not have been treated in the same way.

Another pensioner has told of how she gave her mobile hairdresser an out-of-date parking permit by mistake when she visited her. The hairdresser returned to her car to find it clamped and, despite explaining the circumstances, was forced to pay up.

Imagine the outcry if anyone was allowed to purchase speed cameras, impound any cars they caught speeding and charge what they wanted to release them. That, effectively, is what these wheel clamp companies seem to do where parking is concerned.

I do question the legality of tampering with someone's car in this way. They might scratch the bodywork or wheel hub and if the car is needed, perhaps for an emergency, demanding money before releasing it smacks of blackmail.

No-one likes getting a parking ticket but at least the motives are traffic management, your car is not immobilised and there is a clear appeals process if you feel aggrieved.

I have now heard enough disturbing stories concerning wheel clamping companies to convince me the time has come to regulate the industry. The working practices of some of these companies smack of bully boy tactics.

There should be clear guidelines on who can operate such businesses, how much they can charge, how long they can immobilise your car and a credible, independent appeals process.

Meanwhile, I think businesses need to think twice about how they control parking at their premises.

OK, small businesses might not be able to afford a full-time parking attendant, but a barrier system is one alternative and businesses do need to consider the message aggressive clamping sends out to customers.

Published: 15/04/2005