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I’ve had my fill after being clamped at petrol station
• I RECENTLY went to the Shell petrol station at 110 Holloway Road.
The petrol station has recently changed from a Shell/Sainsbury’s station to a Shell station.
I have on many occasions parked my car in the parking bays there, done my shopping in the then Sainsbury’s and dropped into the post office, without any problems.
Today I did the same, apart from my shopping in Shell consisted of some windscreen wiper fluid, rather than groceries. I went to the post office first and then to Shell.
When I returned to my car less than 20 minutes later, it had been ticketed and clamped!
The petrol station staff were completely unhelpful and referred to a telephone number on a sign outside.
This sign said that unauthorised parking was not allowed, but did not specify with regards to time limit or other conditions.
The clamper was in fact sitting in the petrol station waiting for cars to clamp. He refused to declamp my car and referred to the number on the sign.
On calling them I was told I had left the premises (to go to the adjacent post office), and that that was illegal. I stated that this was nowhere obvious and that the sign was unclear. I was told to pay the £75 for the fine and £125 release fee, and then claim the money back later.
I felt that I was the victim of a criminal offence and that I was being held against my will, and was being blackmailed into paying. I called the police, who were completely uninterested, and said this was a civil matter.
After a long discussion with the staff, the clamper and the police my car was released without charge.
I think this matter might be of interest to other Islington citizens, so they can avoid a similar situation, and potentially avoid the Shell station altogether.
name and address
supplied, n19
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