DVLA fines clamped residents

Angry residents who had their cars clamped during a blitz on illegal parking say they have been stung for a second time after receiving fines from the DVLA.

Up to 12 vehicles are believed to have been clamped in the Harlescott area of Shrewsbury at the end of July, with residents having to pay £260 to get their cars released.

After paying the fine Susan Donaldson, of Field Crescent, said she was "shocked" to receive a letter from the DVLA demanding a further £249 for having an untaxed vehicle.

Miss Donaldson, 27, said her Vauxhall Corsa had been clamped on a concrete area off the road but she did not know it was still classed as the highway.

She said she had been in possession of a statutory off-road notification. Miss Donaldson, who lives with partner Tony O'Gorman and their two children, said she believed she had the right to leave her car parked on the concrete area as the family has paid about £110 a year for the last three years in service charges to Severnside Housing.

She said she is planning to ask for an extension to the payment deadline and appeal the fine.

A spokeswoman from the DVLA said to-day: "Whilst wheelclamping teams are auth-orised to charge fees relating to the clamping of the vehicle, these fees do not discharge the alleged offence of an unlicensed vehicle being kept or used on the public highway."