Royal Mail deliveries back on after post van clamped outside flats

16/07/2011

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.