Students revolt over car-clamp 'frenzy' at uni

A private company took charge of parking at the campus last September – and the demonstrators say the number of fines dished out has since dramatically increased.

The clampers are accused of pouncing on vehicles just minutes after tickets expire.

Students claim they are also being unfairly penalised for tiny infringements of the rules.

Mark Bergfeld, who is helping to plan a demo on Saturday, said: “When it snowed in the winter, nobody could see the white lines marking out the parking spaces.

“The parking officers used little brushes to sweep away the snow and that day half the cars on campus got clamped.” Students and university staff who are caught out have to pay a £75 release fee.

It increases if drivers get back to their cars after 5pm and want the clamps removed after hours.

There is a further hike if they call after 8pm and the charge goes up still further if wardens are summoned after midnight.

“The worst case I have heard of is a guy who had to pay £250,” said philosophy undergraduate Mr Bergfeld. “Students don’t have that kind of money and the junior lecturers and admin staff are not that well paid these days.”

Mr Bergfeld said there had been problems in the past with illegal parking at the campus, as there was a shortage of spaces. But he said drivers were now toeing the line following a crackdown during the last academic year.

Essex University spokesman Chris Garrington said: “The decision to use a private company at no cost to the university to enforce parking regulations was taken after complaints from staff with permits who were unable to park because of people parking without paying.

“It is also part of the university’s wider policy to encourage staff and students to use alternative, greener forms of transport where possible. For registered vehicles, it costs 40p per day to park on the campus during term time.

“All the money raised from parking charges is ring-fenced for transport improvements for the university.”