Royal Mail deliveries back on after post van clamped outside

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.thisishullandeastriding.co.u ... story.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

ROYAL Mail deliveries to a block of flats in Hull city centre are set to resume after they were suspended when one its vans was clamped.

The van was targeted outside Queens Court apartments – known as the BBC Building – while a postman delivered parcels to residents.

Customers received a letter explaining they would no longer receive deliveries as a result of the van being hit with a £275 fine in by Vehicle Management Ltd.

Instead, residents were told if they were not in they would receive a "while you were out" card and would have to collect the parcel themselves from the delivery office in St Peter Street.

Royal Mail said the company could not risk more charges after its appeal to the clampers went unanswered.

However, when contacted by the Mail, a Royal Mail spokesman said deliveries would now resume.

A spokesman said: "The delivery of parcels and items of mail that require a signature to Queen's Court is being fully restored.

"This follows a temporary suspension after a Royal Mail vehicle was clamped whilst undertaking delivery duties.

"We are working with the property management company to identify a way that will allow us to continue delivering mail to our customers."

An 80-year-old resident, who asked not to be named, said: "It was going over the top to stop delivering parcels.

"But I know the clampers charge a lot and that is why if anyone's ever in my space I give them a chance to remove their vehicle."

The Mail understands Vehicle Management Ltd could be fined for clamping the van as it an offence to obstruct the delivery of mail.

Bill Waddington, a director of the Hull branch of Williamsons Solicitors, said the clamping of a delivery van could be considered an offence under the Postal Services Act 2000, which carries a maximum £500 fine.

He said: "The clampers could use the defence that the van was parked illegally, if that was the case.

"Of course there are changes coming into force to make clamping on private land outlawed."

Andy Parish, from the Hull branch of the Communications Workers' Union condemned the clamping.

He said: "It's greed, these clamping firms are just looking for someone to slip up."

Previously, the Mail has revealed how Vehicle Management Ltd has taken over the sites once run by Parking Control Ltd and Sector Security Ltd.

The new company has increased its fees ahead of legislation outlawing clamping at the end of the year, charging £135 to release a car and £285 if a tow truck is called.

Garness Jones, which manages the building, said it would not be reviewing its contract with Vehicle Management Ltd which also operates at its City Exchange and Trinity Wharf apartments.

Hans Nieuwkerk, Garness Jones' head of property management at the agency, said: "Parking is problematic and we get a lot of people letting their friends in and taking other people's spaces."

The Mail attempted to contact Andy Gratton, the chief executive of Vehicle Management Ltd, but our calls were not returned.

[Stormproof]

RM should suspend all deliveries. The residents would soon complain to the management company and then the management company can then tell the extortionists..i mean clampers to do one

[fishtank]

Every van should have one..

[Stormproof]

and one of these.

[NWpostie]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGQMq3hNv-g" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

he is a Hero !


all hail the Angle Grinder man !

[bensonhedge]

barry

[sparkx]

Section 88 Postal Services Act 2000

88 Obstruction of business of universal service providers.
(1)A person commits an offence if, without reasonable excuse, he—.
(a)obstructs a person engaged in the business of a universal service provider in the execution of his duty in connection with the provision of a universal postal service, or.
(b)obstructs, while in any universal postal service post office or related premises, the course of business of a universal service provider..
(2)A person who commits an offence under subsection (1) shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 2 on the standard scale..

I suppose at the end of the day the arguement would be around "reasonable excuse" but if the Police were called they could arrest the clampers for it, search them and seize their keys then take the clamp off the van.