DRIVERS who were forced to abandon their cars at a Winchester pub car park during treacherous conditions last week came back to find their vehicles clamped.

Five people are believed to have been hit with £150 fines, after leaving their cars at the Roebuck Inn overnight.

The drivers were unable to make it up Stockbridge Road, so left their cars at the hostelry — which is currently closed for rennovation works.

The pub, which has been shut for the past few weeks, is not due to re-open until the New Year.

“Where’s the Christmas spirit gone?” asked one victim, Warren Kitley.

“Obviously the clampers don’t have any.

“They preyed on the fact that the country came to a halt, and obviously came out to do it when the weather was so bad to put the clamps on,” added the 26-year-old.

“It’s all you need three days before Christmas, another £150 coming out of the bank account.”

Andy Quick had been taking his daughters to Winchester city centre when he was forced to abandon his Volvo and make the short walk home.

The 54-year-old said: “The road was totally gridlocked on Monday evening, no one was going anywhere.

“They’re saying I have to pay first and then appeal it after.

“I spoke to the police and they were saying that if it was left in the road they could help, but I thought I was doing the better thing.”

Both men — who were kept waiting four hours before clampers showed up on Tuesday — said signs advising them of the parking conditions were covered by snow.

A third driver, Helen Corner, of Fordington Avenue, said: “I saw the clamping signs, but my thought process was it was so bad it was the best place to leave it.”

Mrs Corner, 54, said she reluctantly paid the fine — which increased to £157.50 with credit card charges — but that she would appeal.

“The fact the security firm came out at 10pm on Monday, which was the time on the ticket, is very much below the belt,” she added.

“I feel that they have taken advantage of the weather conditions.”

Ray Peace, city councillor for the Fulflood ward, called on local businesses to rid themselves of security companies unless it was absolutely necessary.

He said: “It’s outrageous, I think these clamping companies have got ridiculous, they should be sensitive to people parking in unusual circumstances.”

An operations manager for Southampton-based Cobra Security, who refused to be named, said: “We were not taking advantage of the icy weather, we were providing a service to the landowner.

“It’s signed and posted on the property and it says you will be clamped if you park here.

“If you couldn’t go any further you wouldn’t leave your car on the nearest driveway, would you?

“We do have an appeals procedure and we would be more than happy for them to appeal.”

The Hampshire Chronicle was unable to contact the Roebuck Inn for comment.

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