I write as someone who has recently fallen foul of the rash of wheel clamping that seems to have broken out in Redditch and I am interested in other people's views and experiences.

Shortly after Christmas, I parked in the car park of the White Hart pub in Headless Cross for an intended period of about five minutes while I paid a very important visit to the bookmakers.

I have done this on and off for more 20 years and never gave my actions a second thought.

After I had been in the bookies for no more than two minutes, a fellow punter told me that my vehicle was being clamped.

I quickly crossed the road back to the White Hart car park to be told by the clampers that I would have to pay £94.

They also pointed out the signs displayed around the perimeter - but not the entrance - of the car park.

I should say at this point that I have no issue with the gentlemen doing the clamping.

They advised me to pay cash on the spot or, if unable to do so, ring them at a later time when I had the money and they would then release the vehicle.

Eventually, I paid by credit card and we parted on reasonably amicable terms, even exchanging some light hearted banter that I hoped my four legged friends would do me a favour at Chepstow.

Time has passed since the incident, I have to say I have become increasingly concerned with the issues raised by clamping policy.

I do not question the legality of what the pub landlords are doing.

However, my real issue is with the morality of what is going on and I feel the landlord's actions smack more of entrapment rather than any genuine or justified desire to curb a public nuisance.

I pose the following questions:

What loss of custom does short-term parking cause the White Hart or, for that matter, any other pub house in Redditch? I suspect very little if any.

What public nuisance or obstruction is caused by short-term parking in these areas?

Why not just charge non-patrons a standing fee (let's say £3 for example) for using the car park? Clearly state at the entrance that this is the cost of parking there, redeemable only if the pub is used. That way, people can choose to pay or not. If they aren't prepared to pay, or use the pub, then they have to find a space to park elsewhere.

What happens to people who, unlike me, may not be able to afford the £94 but, out of naivety, fall foul of the restrictions and fines? I am thinking of the elderly person who nips in while buying groceries.

What arrangements exist between the clamping company and the businesses employing them in terms of distributing the money raised from the penalties?

I don't dispute careless and inconsiderate parking can pose a real public nuisance but can anybody reasonably argue that a consistently empty piece of tarmac by a pub comes into this category?

Nick Hadley

Mitcheldean Close

Oakenshaw