A STAND-off between clampers and a company delivering flowers to a doctors’ surgery is underway at a spot where motorists have been fined thousands.


Elwyn Lelunce parked his van near the Keyhealth Medical Centre in Sewardstone Road, Waltham Abbey, while dropping off the bouquet.


“I was delivering for no longer than two minutes,” he said. “I reversed in and didn’t get to see the sign.


“As soon as I came back out, they applied the metal plate and started clamping the van.


“The fact that I saw him doing it makes it worse, because if he’d wanted to, he could’ve stopped.”


The 22-year-old, who has been working for couriers AK & White Logistics for just over a week, said the clampers, working for Citywatch, then demanded a £460 release fee, before raising this to £1,100 after they called a tow truck.


Tony White, 50, the company’s owner, rushed to the scene when he heard what had happened.


“The recovery truck was here and they were trying to take the vehicle,” he said. “They were trying to get us to pay £1,100.


“Then the situation got worse and they were saying if I didn’t pay, they were going to charge £80 per half hour.



“Their tow truck is ready and waiting, but the driver won’t come out of our van.


“I think getting a tow truck out for £1,100 is beyond a joke.”

He said he was prepared to stay with the van until the clampers agreed to lower the fine.

“If I have to stay all night, I'll stay all night,” he added.


Police called to the car park earlier this month managed to persuade clampers to reduce sheltered housing warden Kerry Chaplin’s £460 release fee down to £300.


Earlier this year, new father Chris Small was hit with a £455 fine after taking his two-week old son to the surgery.


The Guardian has asked Citywatch to comment on the latest fine.

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