Camper van sit-in over disputed tax claims
Residents woke up early this morning to find cars had been towed away from a Shrewsbury estate — but clampers got short shrift from one man who continued a vigil in his camper van to protect it. Residents woke up early this morning to find cars had been towed away from a Shrewsbury estate — but clampers got short shrift from one man who continued a vigil in his camper van to protect it. David Evans was today spending a second day in his camper van on his driveway in Pool Rise with a red Peugeot parked behind it with its tyres deflated to prevent it being taken away. Pictures — click here His Commer van has been clamped for being untaxed and parked on the public highway. But he — and other residents who have been targeted — dispute the claim because they say the patch of land in front of their properties is their driveway. Read the full story in today's Shropshire Star
Residents on a Shrewsbury estate whose cars were clamped by DVLA bosses have had their vehicles towed away - but one man is planning to spend a second night in his camper van to stop officials getting their hands on it.
David Evans visited the DVLA in Harlescott earlier today after a tow truck turned up to try to take his Commer van from his drive.
Mr Evans, from Pool Rise, Springfield, met with staff after claiming that his vehicle was exempt from tax because it was built in 1973.
Mr Evans was given a telephone number to call and told if his vehicle was registered prior to January 1, it would be exempt. But he was told it was registered in October and he has now vowed to spend a second night inside the van to stop it being removed.
Mr Evans had spent his birthday yesterday in his camper van and also spent part of today inside with a car parked behind it with its tyres deflated to prevent it being taken away.
His van has been clamped for being untaxed and parked on the public highway. But he - and other residents who have been targeted - dispute the claim because they say the patch of land in front of their properties is their driveway.
Officials turned up at about 7.20am and towed two cars away from the street and slowed down past Mr Evans's camper van but saw he was inside.
Mr Evans, 54, said: "They came over and looked at me and the guy from the tow truck said: 'There's 13 to take'. I told him it was tax exempt, he took a picture and got back in his truck.
"All I want is for them to admit they are wrong and take the clamp off."
A spokeswoman from the DVLA today said: "DVLA's wheelclamping contractor NSL Services Group Limited established that the area on which the clamped vehicles were parked is maintained at the public expense and therefore does not form any part of the individuals' property."
The drama unfolded as fears were today raised nationally that taxed but uninsured cars left on a public road could be clamped or seized under new laws which are being unveiled by the Government - potentially meaning law-abiding motorists could be targeted.
By Emma Kasprzak and John Kirk
